Ah! It feels so good to be done with finals! And as a result I was able to finally finish this chapter. So those of you who were mad about how I last left things I believe you'll like how this one goes. Enjoy!
~*Promise*~
Pop! The smack of the ball connecting to a glove with power and speed behind it. The sound that all pitchers loved to hear. Sawamura was proudly bragging to Furuya about his improved fastball and the way it sounded when it'd hit Miyuki's glove. Of course, Furuya just ignored the loud mouthed boy. Which led to an argument starting. With mainly Sawamura doing all the talking as Furuya refused to look the pitcher in the eye. Ono glanced to his captain who was usually quick to either break up the fight or antagonize the two into glaring at him and starting a whole new fight. But today, Miyuki was unusually quiet. His lips turned down, looking as if he was deep in thought about something.
"Is it me or does Miyuki-san seem like he's out of it?" Ono asked Kawakami who'd walked over to get away from the squabbling pair of first years.
"Kuramochi did say he's been in a bad mood all day." Kawakami said. Looking to their captain who finally noticed the fight going on.
"If you got that much energy go run poles." Miyuki called out. Making a shooing motion at the pitchers. Sawamura shot him a glare while Furuya took off. Hoping to get on Miyuki's good side if he complied. Sawamura was hot on his tail. Yelling up a storm as he chased after the taller boy. Miyuki stood up, leaving the others in the bullpen. Clearly he wasn't in a good mood if he didn't even want to tease the first years like he usually did.
It'd been three days since he'd been allowed to join practice again. Originally he'd been ecstatic. Happy to finally be cleared to be practicing again. He still had to attend therapy, but things were moving in the right direction. It'd felt amazing to be back on the field at full strength. To truly practice how he wanted for once. Able to finally be the leader that the others had been missing for the past three weeks. But his good mood had only seemed to last for a short time. The reason behind his change in mood? Tonya.
He thought she'd be over joyed for him. Wanting to help him celebrate this good news. While she'd been happy for him, it wasn't the over the top reaction he'd come to expect from the girl. The past few days it'd just seemed like Tonya was going through the motion of things. She didn't come at him with the usual smart ass comments. Letting a lot of what Miyuki said go unchecked. Shooting him the occasional glare but that was it. When he'd questioned her about it, Tonya had just said she wasn't feeling good. But Miyuki knew it was something else. She didn't act like a sick person. She looked like someone who was distracted. Like she couldn't be bothered with him anymore. And it was pissing him off.
"What the hell is her problem?" Miyuki snapped. Ripping his helmet off his head. Sending it crashing through the dugout.
"Lovers' quarrel?" Kuramochi's voice rang out. Knowing there was only one 'her' Miyuki could be referring to.
"I wish it was just that." Miyuki huffed. Sinking down on the bench. Running his fingers through his sweaty hair. Gazing off into the distance.
"You're….actually upset aren't you?" Kuramochi asked. Surprised to see a frustrated look in his captain's eyes.
"I feel like she's hiding something from me." The catcher groaned. Hearing that annoying snicker of Kuramochi's as he sat down beside him.
"Now you know how we all felt when you hid shit from us. Sucks having the shoe on the other foot doesn't it?" Kuramochi teased. Poking Miyuki in the cheek.
"If you're going to be an ass, I'd appreciate it if you did it elsewhere." Miyuki growled. Shooting a sideways glare at the shortstop. Surprising Kuramochi since Miyuki very rarely got upset over anything.
"Look. If you want to know what's wrong just confront her. Geez, you two are only living together it shouldn't be that damn hard." Kuramochi grunted. Not wanting Miyuki to turn his bad mood on him.
Could it really be that simple? To just confront the cause of his irritation and ask her what was wrong? Miyuki shook his head as he grabbed his helmet and headed out for situational practice. He would be willing to try anything if it meant getting Tonya back to her old self. He didn't like how things were now. The sooner she got back to cussing him out and trying to beat the shit out of him the better. Miyuki frowned at the thought. Finding it weird that he would be happy once she went back to the behavior he usually found annoying. Shaking his head, he cleared his mind of anything that wasn't baseball related as he headed out for situational practice. He would deal with the problem later on.
_._._
"Hey, Tonya you here?" Miyuki called out.
Practice had seemed longer than usual that day. Probably because anytime he'd had any free time his mind had gone back to the issue at hand. It just slowly ate away at him as the day had worn on. The trip back to his temporary home hadn't helped him any either. Just giving him more time to think. Making him realize that a lot of things had been off these past few days. Only adding to his growing irritation. One thing he was sure though. He needed to take care of things before they really started becoming a problem and started affecting how he performed in practice.
He kicked his shoes off by the door. Seeing a smaller pair in their usual spot. Miyuki ventured forth into the house. Wondering where Tonya could be. Heading to his room first to put his stuff away before trying to find her. No sense in putting this off. He would confront her about her odd behavior as soon as he found her. After dropping his stuff off in the room, he headed for Tonya's room first. Knocking on the door lightly before peeking inside.
"You sleeping?" He asked. Looking into the room to see it empty.
Miyuki backed out and began his search for Tonya. Checking the usual spots in the house. Ending up in the living room last as he began to make his way to the back yard. Knowing it was the last place she could be. Even if she was spiking a fever, he highly doubted it would keep her from trying to pitch.
"Son of a bitch!"
Miyuki's eye's widened as he rushed outside to see Tonya weakly pulling herself on to the porch. Lying on her side as she hit the wood beneath her with her fist. He rushed to her side, seeing her face scrunched up in pain. Doing her best to keep quiet, the occasional whimper escaping her lips. Miyuki clicked his tongue as he began to reach for her. About to chastise her for her clumsiness. Figuring she'd just slipped when stepping up on to the porch. Wouldn't be the first time it'd happened. His words caught in his throat though as he watched something wet slide down her cheek. It was a tear.
"Tonya?" Miyuki called out softly. Sitting there with his arm outstretched towards the girl who had yet to realize he was there.
Tonya's eyes snapped open to see Miyuki staring at her. Confusion mixed with concern on his face. She cursed under her breath as she covered her face with an arm. Not wanting him to see her like this. Not when she was so close to breaking down again. Not after all her hard work to try and keep it together these past few days to avoid seeing that look on his face.
"I-I just slipped. I'll be fine." She managed to choke out as the pain only increased.
"Did you hit your knee?" Miyuki asked. Unsure of how to comfort someone who was in pain.
"No." Tonya hissed. Pain sweeping over her once again as she bit her lip hard in order to keep quiet.
Miyuki looked to her bare legs, shocked by what he saw. Both knees were swollen to a good size, still slightly bruised from where they'd knocked together, and he was sure that if he touched them they would be burning hot. He looked back to Tonya to see tears still streaming down her face as she slowly got her breathing in check. Rolling on to her back as she fought against the pain she felt shooting up from her knees and into her thighs now. Still keeping her face covered as she lied there.
"How long?" Miyuki asked. Lowering his gaze as he felt his anger rising.
"Since the last game. That wreck hurt me more than I realized. I'll be fine after a week of rest though." Tonya said weakly. Having gotten herself in check.
"Wasn't it you who told me not to hide my pain?" Miyuki hissed. His anger only growing as he clenched his hands into fists.
"My dad knows my knees are killing me." Tonya growled back. Annoyed that Miyuki wouldn't just let it drop.
"You're such a fucking hypocrite. Preaching to me about all this shit when you're doing the exact opposite. You're dad doesn't even know about the state you're in does he?" Miyuki, in typical Miyuki fashion, smarted off. Not even attempting to hide the disgust in his tone. And that's exactly what set Tonya off. To hell with it, she thought. Pushing herself off the porch and locking gazes with the boy as she let him have it.
"Does he know that I limped home these past few days in so much pain that I just wanted to sit down and remain there unmoving while I just bawled my eyes out from how bad they hurt? No! Because I don't ever want him to see me like this again! I don't want him to see my tears! I don't want him to hear me crying so loudly that it causes me to lose my voice! I don't want him to ever see me in such a fucking pitiful state! Because I don't want to see the pain in his eyes. It's the same damn reason you refused to tell your teammates anything when you were hurting! You would rather suffer in silence than see someone else in pain for you sake because you know that look will cause you to hurt so much more than any physical injury ever could. Don't you get it? When it comes to sports we're the same. Just like you, I don't want anyone I care about to ever see me like this….." Tonya sniffled. Fresh tears falling as she let her head hang.
Miyuki sat there, stunned by this revelation. All his anger disappearing in an instant as her words struck a chord. Remembering how it had seemed liked Tonya had read his mind when they'd first met. Doing the same thing once again as she sat there crying. Miyuki lightly reached out and touched one of her knees. Feeling just how hot it was. Knowing that the pain accompanying it was immense. She'd been right. Miyuki had never wanted anyone to find him in the same state that Tonya was in now. He hadn't wanted anyone to know just how badly he was hurting when he was struggling to be strong. He hadn't wanted to see the look he was probably giving Tonya right now. He sighed, standing up and moving to sit on her other side. Gently pulling her towards him. Tonya didn't even fight him. It was too late now. He'd already seen her like this. Pushing him away would be pointless now.
"Just like you, I won't leave you to suffer. Because if roles were reversed there's no way in hell you'd ever leave me alone." Miyuki whispered. Gently pressing her face into his shoulder. Feeling her tears on his skin. Her mouth pulling up slightly in a weak grin.
"Yeah. You're right." She said weakly. Reaching up and holding on to Miyuki with one hand. Digging her nails into his shoulder as a wave of pain shot through her.
Once her tears had dried up, Tonya leaned back and wiped her eyes. She tapped Miyuki on his cheek, drawing his attention. Pointing to her knees as Miyuki understood what she wanted. He gently scooped her into his arms and carried her into the living room. Setting her on the couch before going to get the ice packs she wanted for her swollen knees. Getting her a painkiller and some water while he was at it. Making one last stop to grab a few pillows so that she could elevate her legs. He sat down, placing a pillow over his lap, motioning for her to lie down and use him as a pillow. Showing that he had no intention of going anywhere. Tonya complied as he put the packs on her knees. She took the painkiller while Miyuki turned the TV on for some background noise. Tonya smiled softly as she tapped his chest and pointed to his hand. Miyuki held it up as she wrapped her own small fingers around it. Offering up a silent thanks before turning to watch whatever he'd put it on. It didn't take long for the pill to take effect. Lulling her into a peaceful sleep.
Miyuki held her hand softly. Tracing comforting circles on it. Letting her know that even while she slept he was there for her, even if she didn't want him to be. Just like she had been for him. Miyuki glanced down at the slumbering girl, that smile that only she could pull out of him appearing on his lips once more. Feeling Tonya tighten her grip unconsciously on him as she dozed peacefully in his lap. Momentarily numb to the pain that had been plaguing her only moments before.
_._._
Kuramochi clicked his tongue as he made his way down the street. Somehow he'd been elected to go check on Miyuki and find out what was wrong. Kuramochi knew damn well what was wrong, but didn't say anything to the others. Deciding to play dumb. While normally he'd have spilled his guts just to dump the chore of checking on their captain off on someone else, this time he'd kept quiet. The reason? Seeing that look on Miyuki's face today. One that said for once he didn't have all the answers. Frustration, worry, annoyance, and something else—concern, maybe? In that brief conversation Kuramochi had watched all these emotions play in Miyuki's eyes. Which was a first because normally Miyuki was a heartless bastard who rarely showed concern for anyone who wasn't involved with the team. The fact that he was acting like a normal human being for once was shocking. This was something the short stop wanted to see for his own eyes.
He turned into the driveway and let out a low whistle at the sight of the impressive house. Kuramochi ringed the doorbell and waited patiently. Pulling his jacket around him as a chill blew through the air. He could hear voices inside. Guessing an argument was taking place by the way the volume had increased. They eventually died out as the door opened.
"Huh? Kuramochi? What are you doing here?" Miyuki asked as he leaned against the door frame.
"I was told to come check on you and find out if you were doing better." The short stop smirked.
"Well, come on in." Miyuki said. Stepping aside and letting him in.
Kuramochi stepped inside, closing the door behind him and quickly kicked off his shoes. Shedding his jacket next since it was so warm inside. He followed Miyuki inside and back to the living room. Sitting on the ground near the coffee table was Tonya in full pout mode. Refusing to look at the boys as Miyuki let out a chuckle.
"Isn't this sweet? Kuramochi was so worried about me he came all the way out here to check up on me." Miyuki said in that annoying tone that never ceased to piss off the short stop.
"Good, he can take your ass to the E.R. after I finish kicking it." Tonya griped. Shooting an annoyed look at Miyuki as the boy just smirked at her.
"What'd he do now?" Kuramochi asked as Tonya puffed out her cheeks and looked away.
"Asshole won't let me do anything. It is my damn house after all. I should have free reign!" Tonya hollered like a little kid. Throwing her arms in the air and kicking her feet as well.
"I already told you, your ass is staying there for the night till you go to bed. The swelling just went down. You don't need to do anything to cause it to flare back up." Miyuki ordered. Narrowing his gaze at her. Daring Tonya to argue with him. The girl just stuck her tongue out defiantly before huffing and looking away again.
'It really is like a lovers' quarrel.' Kuramochi snickered to himself. Looking from Miyuki to Tonya. Neither speaking with Tonya still refusing to look at him.
It was then Kuramochi took in Tonya's clothing. Noticing for the first time that she was in nothing but her sports bra and small cotton shorts. He could feel his face growing hotter by the minute as he turned away from the girl. Tonya tilted her head, turning to Miyuki for an explanation. Miyuki sighed as he stripped off his shirt and threw it at Tonya. Earning him a glare as she ripped the shirt off her head.
"What the hell was that for?" Tonya growled. Ready to throw the shirt back at him.
"Cover up. You're embarrassing him." Miyuki motioned to Kuramochi. Halting Tonya's attack as she realized for the first time that Kuramochi was a guest and she may be a tad underdressed. Shrugging to herself as she pulled on the shirt that was too big for her. It smelled faintly of sweat, dirt, and the musky deodorant Miyuki used.
"How does that not bother you?" Kuramochi asked. Feeling like his cheeks had been slapped.
"You get used to it." The catcher muttered as he walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water for the poor boy.
"Kuramochi right?" Tonya asked as the boy ventured a look. Letting out a sigh of relief when he saw that she was covered now. "Why were you guys worried about Miyuki? Was his injury acting up again? Or was he going back to his old ways and trying to hide it?"
"Actually, the dumbass seemed to have something else distracting him." Kuramochi grinned. Locking gazes with Tonya as a look of understanding crossed her face.
"Oh….yeah. We actually got into a shouting match earlier about that." Tonya laughed weakly.
"So what was it about?" He ventured. Wondering if she would answer him or shut him down like Miyuki would.
"Well, let's just say I was acting like a hypocrite. You can let your team know this won't happen again." Tonya smiled as she leaned back against the couch. Stretching her legs out in front of her.
"It won't huh?" Miyuki asked. Walking back into the room with a glass of water for Kuramochi. Arching his brow at Tonya as he sat down on the arm of the couch near her.
"No. Because I don't want you to start to get like me. So, with Kuramochi as our witness, I promise to be honest about my injuries with you from now on. As long as you do the same with me." She smiled. Extending her arm and holding out her pinky.
"I don't know if that bastard is capable of keeping a promise." Kuramochi muttered. Spiking Miyuki's irritation instantly.
"What do you say Miyuki? Want to prove him wrong?" Tonya asked, still holding her pinky out.
Miyuki was hesitant. Making a promise meant trusting that person to keep it. And he didn't do trust. He didn't like having to rely on anyone but himself off the field. But something about the way Tonya was looking at him, the warmth in her smile, the kindness in her eyes, the way she patiently waited for his answer with no signs of wavering. He knew that if he wanted to he could just laugh the whole situation off. Something told him that Tonya wouldn't begrudge him if he wanted to. She'd been nothing but a kind and patient with him from the start. A true friend. It was about time he started returning the favor.
"Count me in." Miyuki smiled. Wrapping his own pinky around hers. Staring in to her eyes to show that he meant it. Their moment only lasted for a few seconds though. A low clicking sound pulled them from each other and up to Kuramochi who had his phone out and pointed at the two of them.
"What? Now you have photographic proof just in case someone decides to go back on their word." Kuramochi shrugged.
"Good idea." Tonya nodded. Making Miyuki almost fall off the couch.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He huffed.
"I wasn't talking about you idiot." She said softly. A far off look in her eyes.
It didn't take Miyuki long to realize that she was talking about herself and how she'd hidden her pain from him. Knowing that Tonya hated having anyone see her like that. The full weight of the promise they'd made hit him then. He hadn't only promised to be honest with his pain, but he had also said that he'd be there for her. For someone to confide in whenever things got to be too much for her to handle on her own. She was trusting him to be there for her when she needed him most. And in return, she'd promised him the same thing.
"Well, I'm stuck with you for another couple months. So hopefully we won't need that picture to remind us now will we?" He said. Putting a hand on her head.
Kuramochi nearly choked on the water he was drinking. Turning and hitting his chest hard as the other two looked at him. Wondering if he was okay or not. When Kuramochi could breathe again, he turned back to see Miyuki's usual look on his face. It had come as quickly as it had disappeared. He still couldn't believe he'd seen that look on Miyuki's face. The look of someone who'd just been entrusted with a very precious gift that he would treasure forever. Kuramochi glanced to Tonya and wondered just what she'd done in their short time together to be able to pull a look like that out of Miyuki.
This is one of my favorites by far. I love how chapters just seem to come together nicely one after another. Not much to say on this one I'll just leave it here. I need to turn my brain off after this hectic week. As always leave me a review and let me know what you thought!