Chapter seven is here. I really didn't plan on doing this. Two nights in a row (Well, rather last night I kinda studied more than anything and procrastinated), I got in a funk and didn't feel like doing anything, so I sat listening to Clazziquai, and M-Flo, only M-Flo loves Alex. Love 'Love Me After 12 AM.' Third day in a row, but last night I got caught up in glowsticking and watching Nigahiga on youtube.
Summary: With the breaking of a promise, Yuuta's world becomes unstable and seeks other people to try and bring that world back from the brink of destruction, but even after going as far as to try and repair things, will Yuuta ever find a way to repair the damage done (especially in his heart)?
Warnings: This is yaoi, YuutaxMizuki, FujixTezuka, YuutaxAtsushi, Fujicest, and Kisarazucest, and mentioning of TezukaxRyoma.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, nor any characters in this fic. And I do not own any songs you see, Lifehouse.
// I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be ok //
"You're really going to leave for that school, Yuuta?" Syuusuke was at the door again, watching his younger brother pack.
"Yes. Now leave." His voice was sharp, restraining from going into a yell.
"I can't talk to my little brother?" Fuji made it sound like he was hurt, but Yuuta didn't buy it at all.
"You're the reason why I'm leaving." Yuuta slammed another pair of shorts into his bag.
"What did I do wrong, Yuuta? Tell me." Yuuta turned right around to yell at his brother, but stopped midsentence at his brother's frown. His brother was always smiling, always faking his way through everything. But here he was, admitting defeat and wasn't attempting to conceal anything. Blue orbs were looking into grey ones.
"Stop being a pain. You're causing me to lose my concentration." Yuuta had waited last minute to pack. He was leaving as soon as he was finished for St. Rudolph. He would be away from Seishun Gakuen, away from his Aniki, away from being called 'Fuji's little brother.'
"Yuuta, do you really have to go?" Yuuta twitched in the embrace. His brother was pressed up against his back, arms wrapped around his chest. It was the first time they both realized that Yuuta was not about equal in size to Fuji.
"Aniki, please let go." Yuuta's hand was shaking. He just had to get away. The hands on his chest disappeared, a part of him wanted to turn around and draw his brother in an embrace, but he refrained from doing so.
"I wish you weren't leaving." Fuji moved back a couple steps, Yuuta closing the back and zipping it up.
"This is how it has to be." The boy moved over to wander around in his closet, pulling out his racquet bag. Fuji followed the younger boy down the stairs.
"So you're really leaving now?" Yuuta stood in the doorway, looking back at his brother.
"Yah." Fuji shifted uncomfortably.
"I'll always be here waiting for you. Someday everything will be alright. Find yourself, Yuuta. And then return back to me."
"Yah yah."
"Congraduations, Atsushi." Yuuta was hanging onto the elder boy's arm. It was almost time for their next break, which means Yuuta would now become a third year and Atsushi was going on to high school. Atsushi ruffled Yuuta's hair.
"Thanks. How do you plan on spending your third year, Captain?" Yuuta laughed.
"I don't feel like I should be captain, after having to sit out alot of the season with a broken wrist. Next year, I'm going all out." Atsushi smiled.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine. You get the cast off in a week, so you can practice over the summer." Yuuta nodded.
"Yah, and can take a shower without putting a bag over my arm. But seriously, one more week. That means it's been..." Yuuta started to count. "Uh, four weeks that we've been going out?"
"Mhm." They spent quite a lot of time together, in and out of their shared dorm room. "I have plans for the first day of break."
"Really?" Yuuta blinked.
"Yah. Dragging you off to the beach back home in Chiba." This caused Yuuta to smile, he couldn't believe he had doubted Atsushi for a second.
"Sounds like fun. But it's no fun, I can't swim due to my cast." Yuuta hadn't always been a fan of swimming in the sea, after Syuusuke almost let him drown his first time there.
"We can tan or play volleyball or something." Yuuta nodded. The two boys haulted outside their dorm room. Most kids had sent everything back home for the vacation, including Atsushi and Yuuta. Atsushi had Yuuta not waiting last minute, which had the younger boy more organized.
"I'm gunna miss this place, having you as a roommate. It'll be different without you around, and everyone." The middle school student opened the door to the empty room, minus their last bags.
"Just think, you came here barely knowing anyone. Even when people leave, you'll still have people around. And I'm always just a phone call away, and always willing to sneak out and come visit." Atsushi tugged his backpack on, hand on his tennis bag. His usual red ribbon was tied up tightly along the handle of his bag. Yuuta slung his bag across his shoulder and turned.
"Yah. I suppose so. And then I'll be in high school with you in a year." Atsushi chuckled.
"You like looking into the future, don't you." Yuuta grabbed his tennis bag and nodded.
"It passes the time and makes things better to look forward to." Atsushi took the boy's casted hand and led him out of the building. It was a beautiful day, nice and warm. It was one of those perfect tennis days. The walk to the train station didn't seem to take that long, a lot quicker than getting to the hospital. The station was a little on the busy side, both boys easily getting their tickets to Chiba and heading off to wait for their train to be called.
"Ne, Yuuta." Atsushi leaned back as the other boy looked to him.
"You should spend this summer wisely." Yuuta blinked.
"Eh? What?" Atsushi's response was cut out by their train being called, so the now first year high school student drew the other to his feet and off to the train. The train wasn't as crowded as one would've thought it'd be. Yuuta sat, Atsushi standing right beside him. The train trip started out in silence, but it became quite interesting.
"What happened to your hand, Mister?" A boy, no older than four, was standing in front of Yuuta. Chocolate locks were similar to Fuji's style, but the front holding no bangs. But the colbolt orbs reminded him more of himself. The boy was holding onto a teddy bear, which was surprising for a boy to be carrying.
"A friend accidently broke it." The child's eyes went wide as he poked it with a tiny digit.
"Mama had one. Daddy did it. He didn't mean to. Oh oh, this is Shuu." The boy held up his bear. Yuuta reached out his hand and shook a paw, smiling gently.
"Nice to meet you, Shuu-san. My name is Yuuta." The boy laughed.
"And my name is Mikoto. O-nii-chan, are you going to Chiba?" Yuuta nodded.
"Yah. This is my friend, Atsushi. I'm going to spend the night there before heading back to Tokyo." The boy looked up at Atsushi before looking back to Yuuta.
"O-nii-chan, he looks like a girl." Yuuta couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought that at first impression, too, but he isn't. Trust me. Don't let his looks fool you, he's more of a gentleman than a lady." Atsushi twitched at the whispered comment.
"Yuuta..." Yuuta smirked.
"Ooohh, don't hurt O-nii-chan." Yuuta reached out with his right hand and ruffled the tiny boy's hair.
"He wouldn't hurt me, don't worry." There was a small gasping sound as the trio looked to another boy who appeared. Similar to the younger boy, his hair was buzz cut short with sharp sky blue eyes.
"Miko-chan, there you are." The boy grabbed his younger brother's hand.
"This is my O-nii-chan, Megumi. Megumi-nii-chan. That's Yuuta-nii-chan and Atsushi-nii-chan." The elder boy bowed.
"Thanks for looking after my little brother." Yuuta nodded, but his attention turned back to Mikoto as he felt something placed on his lap, the teddy bear.
"You take care of Shuu, he'll watch over you. You don't look completely happy, so Shuu'll protect the happiness you have, O-nii-chan." Mikoto smiled before holding his brother's hand with both of his.
"He's your friend. Are you sure about this?" Mikoto nodded.
"You need his guidance more than me. I got my aniki, he'll protect me. Take care of Shuu, Yuuta-nii." Yuuta's attention was on the stuffed animal on his lap as the two younger boys left.
"Cute kid." Atsushi slid into the seat next to Yuuta.
"Reminds me of how I was at his age..minus the bear." Atsushi chuckled and picked the bear up.
"Take good care of Yuuta, Shuu. I'm leaving him in your guiding care." Yuuta twitched and grabbed the bear away.
"Stop talking to it. That's jut creepy. It's something aniki would do." Yuuta stopped dead in his tracks, looking at the bear.
"Our stop is next." Atsushi poked Yuuta in the side, right as the train came to a hault at the station. Both boys got up and departed for the station, wandering around to the surface world. It was even more beautiful in Chiba than back in Tokyo, also a little more lively. As the boys were heading to the beach, a familiar sight caused both boys to hault, as if they had much choice. The entire previous Rokkaku tennis team stood before them, including Ryou.
"Tsushi and a Yuuta." Saeki threw his arms around the two in a hug. "Been a while."
"I thought you guys would be practicing." Atsushi caught his breath when Saeki let go.
"Yah, we decided against it and are hanging out at the beach. We're on a little trip to the store." Atsushi sweatdropped.
"The whole team? Wouldn't it have made more sense for only a small group to go?"
"If a small group goes, I want back to the beach." Ryou tugged his cap up a little as he spoke.
"Right. Davide, kentaro, Ryou, you three can head back. Take Yuuta and Tsushi with you." Saeki lead the others away. Yuuta turned to the younger Kisarazu.
"Sushi?" Atsushi twitched as they began to follow the other boys.
"Not that kind of thinking. Just removed the 'a'. Since the 't' becomes silent, it just becomes Tsushi." Yuuta nodded at the lesson. The beach was pretty full of people, but the Rokkaku boys had a nice spot not far from the water, but far enough back not to get trampled by little kids or flying volleyballs. Yuuta sat on a small corner of a blanket, Atsushi stretched out next to him, Ryou on his other side.
"He staying over the night?" Kentaro and Davide were playing a game of poker, which Ryou seemed to be watching.
"No, he was heading back to Tokyo before nightfall." Ryou sat up, looking from Atsushi to Yuuta.
"Hey, if you're not needed back at home, stay the night. It'd be no problem and I'm sure Tsushi wouldn't mind." Atsushi was next to sit up, challenging his brother in a staring contest.
"Ryou..." The said boy cocked his head to the side a little.
"Got something to hide, Tsushi?" The shorter haired twin shook his head, looking to Yuuta.
"Stay the night, Yuuta." The boy simply nodded his head, which went a little unnoticed as Atsushi went back to a stare down with his twin. Saeki's return set the twins apart.
"So, Tsushi and Yuuta, does the yearn to be home and the beach bring you here?" Saeki sat right between the twins, splitting them apart and ending their silent feud.
"Uh yah. I thought I'd bring Yuuta to the beach on the first day of summer break." Saeki nodded, handing both St Rudolph boys juice. Atsushi took his more grateful than Yuuta, who waited for the third year to open his so he could have his opened.
"Oh, Yuuta. What happened to your hand?" Yuuta's gaze moved to his cast.
"It's almost healed. Accidently broke my wrist. It comes off in a week, though." He took his juice from Atsushi, cupping the can with both hands.
"What'd you do for the tennis season?"
"I sat out and acted as manager in Mizuki-san's place. It was a little hard since I had trouble writing sometimes, but I managed and got the hang of it." Yuuta took a sip of his drink, but almost choked.
"I say we all play a round game of old maid." Yuuta was drawn back to old images of him and his brother playing old maid with Yumiko, he always lost. Cards were dealt and the game began. Yuuta was happy he didn't have the old maid, but his luck changed for the worst after plucking it up out of Davide's hand. Atsushi was first to go out, followed by Saeki, Ryou, Bane, Itsuki, and Davide. The ones left were Kentaro, Shudo, and Yuuta. Yuuta held three cards, the old maid, a two, and the queen of hearts. Shudo had the other queen of hearts and a three. Kentaro had the other two and the other three. Shudo looked over to Yuuta and grabbed the middle card, his face going white at the site of the old maid. Kentaro took a card from Yuuta and huffed at getting the useless Queen. Yuuta reached over and grabbed a card from Shudo's hand, getting the three. He was so excited that he didn't lose, he wanted to tell Fuji. In the end, Shudo was the one to lose. The sun was setting and creating a beautiful view from where they were.
The twins and Yuuta were the first to depart, leaving the others behind. Ryou helped Yuuta with his things, feeling like being a little on the generous side for his brother's current crush. Their house was a modest one, housing the twins and their parents. Both were home, their parents reading the paper at the table while their mother was cooking dinner.
"Taidaima." Both Kisarazu's said at the same time. Yuuta bowed.
"Shitsure shimasu." Atsushi almost tripped out of his shoes.
"You don't need to feel inferior, Yuuta." He ruffled the boy's hair before stepping out of the genkan.
"Okaeri." The boys heard their mother call from the kitchen. Ryou stood behind to turn Yuuta's shoes around to face the door before following them, departing as the two boys went to put their things in Atsushi's room before joining them in the kitchen.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san, this is Yuuta. Yuuta, my parents." Yuuta bowed with the introductions.
"Pleased to meet you, Yuuta-kun. Atsushi has told us a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you." Yuuta's cheeks tinted pink.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Please, stay the night. It's been some time since Atsushi brought home company." Yuuta nodded.
"I'd be honored." A small giggle left the elder female's lips. Ryou was seated at the table, his chair tipped back.
"Long day, Tou-san?" Atsushi and Yuuta joined them at the table.
"Yah, but it's nice to be home to relax." The night played out like this, Yuuta enjoying his stay in the Kisarazu household, it was a very loving environment, even between the two brothers. It wasn't like him and Fuji at all, they weren't as broken as he and his brother were, or so it's how it appeared. Yuuta helped wash dished after the meal was finished, feeling like he had to do something to help out. After that was finished, bother of the younger boys headed to their room, Yuuta plopping down on the bed.
"Your family is so... normal." Atsushi blinked.
"Not really."
"Compared to mine. Aniki with a brother complexion, Nee-san with her weird obessessions, and the whole Fuji family being great with lying with both our eyes and words. I swear." Atsushi chuckled as he removed his shirt, tugging on a more casual night shirt. He started to rumage through a drawer before chucking a shirt to Yuuta.
"Something to wear so you don't need to wear your clothes for two days straight." Yuuta tuggeded his shirt off and tugged on the loan shirt, it smelt just like Atsushi.
"Do you need anything?" Atsushi's shorts were at his feet. Yuuta blushed and looked aside.
"No. I'm fine." Atsushi nodded and left the room. Yuuta released a breath he had been holding. He felt a little weird stripping down to his boxers in someone else's room, minus his brother's. He crawled under the covering, staring at the ceiling. It felt so weird, he had slept over people's houses before and he had even slept in different dorm rooms, but this still felt different. He closed his eyes to concentrate, but found himself distracted by a conversation that seemed closer than the two would like to admit.
"Think, Tsushi." Ryou's voice was rough.
"Ryou, stay out of it." Atsushi's voice was a little defensive. The distance allowed Yuuta to guess they were in the other twin's room, door only open a crack.
"I'm losing you, Tsushi. I'm losing you to Yuuta. You're going away." A chuckle was heard from one could only guess as Atsushi.
"I'm not going anywhere. We'll always remain brothers. I'll always return back to you." Yuuta opened his eyes to gaze at the ceiling.
"Always remain as brothers? Return back?"
What does Yuuta think of this conversation? And what memories does it bring back within the boy? And what exactly sparked Yuuta's interest in running away? Find out next chapter.