It Began on the Streets

Response to reviewers:

RuByMoOn17: I'll try!

Darkyukirin: Here's an update! Sorry to leave it like that but gotta make it interesting...

Craze Izumi: Thanks! I've update!

Mishiko Shinsei: I'm glad you're enjoying it!

HoshiHikari: Exactly... Tezuka won't be that happy...

eiko43: Glad u like the fight scenes ne!

Emethyst: Sorry about it seeming to be rushed. I was probably out of it when I wrote it. Anyways thanks!

Things to know:

Ina – Mother

Part 9

Ryoma hissed in pain as Fuji and Kaori were cleaning his wounds. The alcohol made it sting. He hoped they would finish before Tezuka made it back. He didn't want to disappoint his savior again. Luckily Yuki was taking an afternoon nap. She wouldn't tell Tezuka about this. He moved as his wounds stung again.

"Ryoma-kun, if you don't stop moving we're never going to get this done. You don't want Tezuka to find out do you?" Fuji said looking at him, which nerved Ryoma to no end but he gave up and stayed still.

Ryoma had been thinking. It didn't matter because Tezuka would find out anyways since the cut on his cheek needed to be bandaged and healed first before they could cover it up. It was a bit deep and it would leave a mark. The three faintly heard the front door open and close along with Shiori talking. She was given strict orders to distract him if they weren't finished.

"Ah, Tezuka-san, welcome back!" she said trying to keep him from moving as Ryoma, Fuji, and Kaori evacuated to another room. The kitchen leads nearby Ryoma's room through the stairs. They could've done this in one of the bathrooms but they hardly had medical supplies there. They quickly gathered the supplies and hurriedly up the stairs. They didn't notice that they dropped a used cotton ball stained with blood on the table.

-X-

Tezuka had a tiring day. He immediately came home early so he could also get something to eat. He walked in the front door and was greeted with Shiori. This was awkward. He noticed that she was probably distracting him. Her nervousness showed through her façade. Something was up. He glared at her. He quickly walked past her, taking advantage of her fear, and into the kitchen.

Nothing suspicious. He turned to leave until he saw something out of the ordinary. On the table was a used cotton ball with a red stain. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. He quickly went up the kitchen stairs. It leads directly near Ryoma's room. He also noticed some red spots staining the steps. His pace quickened.

Tezuka approached Ryoma's room and abruptly opened the door. He glared at Fuji and Kaori. They were acting suspicious. But Fuji was always suspicious.

"Fuji, Kaori-san," he nodded to both of them, "What are you doing here?"

"Kaori-san is my bodyguard because Keigo didn't want be going anywhere by myself. You wouldn't believe his paranoia. But I guess I could understand with his company being threatened and-"

"I meant what are you doing in Ryoma's room!" Tezuka said sternly cutting Fuji's explanation off.

"Oh, I was going to put his purchases in his closet." Fuji explained luckily the shopping bags were in the room. "He was just putting Yuki-chan to sleep." Tezuka glared at them, suspicion still in his eyes.

"I'll see to it myself."

Fuji and Kaori let out a sigh of relief. They quickly got Ryoma out of the closet, and were able to place some cover-up on the cut on his cheek. It wasn't too deep as they suspected. They just hopped it wouldn't bleed again. Kaori observed Ryoma from the side. Ryoma had always been a welcome addition to their family. The gang was all family not by blood but by bond. Ever since Ryoma had been brought in by Kori-san, everyone took care of him like he was his or her little brother. Ryoma brought change. He changed them. They used to be cold to the outside world but now they were welcomed.

But she wondered if they have to let him go. Ryoma didn't belong to them. Ryoma belonged with his friends. If Ryoma got his memories back about his days as a tennis player would he leave them? A part of her didn't want him to but the other part said it was selfish to keep him with them.

Tezuka abruptly opened the door again startling the three. He gasped as he laid eyes on Ryoma.

"What happened?" he asked going up to him. Ryoma looked at him confused.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. Kaori noticed his bleeding cheek. Fortunately Fuji noticed too.

"Tezuka, let me talk to you about something," Fuji said pushing him out the room and closing the door after them.

Kaori stared nervously at the floor after cleaning the blood. She was alone with her boss. She didn't want to bring up anything since she didn't want him to remember them abruptly or make him shun away from her or Satoshi.

"Bos-Ryoma," she corrected herself, "Do you know who attacked you?" she asked. Ryoma looked confused for a moment. When he tried to think of the name it didn't come to him. It had only been an hour at least since he met with them. He didn't remember. But one name stood out with the image.

"Sacred Snake," he whispered thoughtfully but Kaori heard it and couldn't believe her ears. Ryoma knew about the Sacred Snake gang? Was he holding out on them?

"Ah bo-Ryoma, I have to go escort Fuji back. Atobe-san did say to bring him back in one piece to the mansion by curfew. Nice seeing you again," she said walking out of the room and gathering Fuji from Tezuka's, surprisingly, angry state. It was dangerous to leave Tezuka like that. He was hardly angry but Kaori figured Ryoma would be able to handle him.

-X-

It was a tense silence. The only sounds interrupting it were the clinking of utensils on plates. Yuki was still asleep so Ryoma had no leeway from Tezuka's sudden anger. The man radiated anger though he didn't show it. After a few more moments Tezuka couldn't take it. He usually didn't lose it but today was an exception.

"What happened today?" he asked with a calm, yet restrained voice. Ryoma paused in his eating and placed the fork down. He didn't answer. He couldn't very well say he got into another fight and almost killed them. Tezuka wouldn't like it. But maybe if he stayed silent he'd still spark some anger from the other man. Tezuka just glared at his silence.

"I'll ask you again, what happened today?" he asked trying to not get angry. Ever since Ryoma came into his life again, he'd been losing his cool gradually. Tezuka didn't know why he was like this but he was worried for Ryoma who seemed to be in a lot of trouble. What he didn't like is that they, Fuji, Kaori, and Ryoma, decided to keep it from him. Ryoma's silence seemed to increase his annoyance and anger. His hands slammed on the table. Ryoma was startled as he was lifted to stand up by his arms. He stared straight into Tezuka's eyes.

"I've been worried about you! Every time you run into trouble you're always getting hurt! Now you have the audacity to keep this from me. Is there something you don't want me to know?" Tezuka stated to him sternly. Ryoma glared back. Tezuka was the one with the 'audacity' to not tell him anything either. He was not going to stand it. He used his hands to free himself from Tezuka's grip.

"What about you? Ever since I've been here you're the one talking about me behind my back! Every time someone that you know looked at me it's as if they've seen a ghost! How can you accuse me of not telling anything?" Ryoma retorted back. They resumed a glaring contest. Ryoma was the first to look away. "Fine then I'll leave so you have nothing to worry about." Ryoma proceeded to leave. Tezuka reached out to seize his wrists. Ryoma glared back at him.

"Wait, I'm not finished with you," Tezuka said.

"Well, I am. Now let go." Ryoma wriggled his arm trying to wrench it from Tezuka's tight grip. "Tezuka-san, I told myself I wasn't going to hurt you in any way but if you don't let go this instant…" Ryoma let the threat hang.

Tezuka responded with a glare. Ryoma couldn't take this kind of treatment. He swung his free hand but Tezuka caught that with ease. Ryoma struggled but it just made Tezuka's grip tighter. He then shoved forward to knock Tezuka to the ground. Ryoma straddled Tezuka's waist while fighting to get his wrists free. They were rolling around on the floor trying to get the upper hand. Tezuka rolled them over with him now on top pinning Ryoma's wrists to the floor. He tried getting Tezuka off him but the other was a lot heavier than he was. It was amazing to him that he can beat other people but not Tezuka.

They both froze as they heard Yuki's voice from the door. "Papa, Ryoma-san, what are you doing?" she asked as she looked at them. Luckily Shiori came in and dragged her out.

"I'm sorry Tezuka-san. I'll…be putting Yuki-chan back to sleep now…" she said blushing and shutting the door.

Tezuka got off Ryoma and stood up. Ryoma sat up and rubbed his wrists. They were going to bruise. He didn't know Tezuka had such a bruising grip. He stared up at the other who was looking back at him. They continued their staring match for a while until Ryoma winced as he felt a sharp sting on his arm. Tezuka seemed to notice too. Tezuka helped him up and dragged him up the stairs to his room.

Tezuka left him to sit down and grabbed the first aid kit.

"Roll up your sleeve," Tezuka commanded. What he saw made him gasp as he took off the previous bandage. There were deep cuts at the upper half of his lower arm. It was still bleeding. He quickly began cleaning them then placing some antiseptic before bandaging them up again. Tezuka sighed. "You're going to get killed at this rate." He pushed Ryoma to lie down. Ryoma grabbed his wrists and reversed their position. He now had Tezuka pinned down on the bed. Golden eyes locked onto brown.

"You're the one who needs sleep Tezuka-san. You're the one who's been up all day," Ryoma said then getting up. He wobbled but held his balance.

"You're about to collapse," Tezuka said helping Ryoma balance himself. "You wont make it to your room." Ryoma fought consciousness.

"Mada…mada…dane, Tezuka-san…" Ryoma had breathed out before collapsing into his arms. Tezuka glanced at the sleeping figure. He brushed stray strands of hair away from Ryoma's eyes. He caressed the smooth skin. Despite Ryoma's age, he still looked like a child. That's why he's easily recognizable. He carefully picked Ryoma up and placed him on the bed next to him. As he was about to leave, he felt something hold him back. He looked down to see Ryoma's hand attached to his sleeve. He stopped to listen when he heard the younger mumble.

"Ina… Don't leave…" Tezuka heard him mumble. He didn't understand. Ina? He thought. He sighed. He'd ask tomorrow or whenever he deemed it good for his health. He placed his glasses on the nightstand. He then went to sleep.

Sometime during the night he unconsciously placed his arm around the other bringing them closer.

-X-

Fuji walked down the street towards Tezuka's house. He'd been making many visits there recently, he noticed. But today he was going to do something and he would make it work. If the conquest (victim) objected, Fuji had 'mysterious' ways of persuasion. He glanced at his companion, Kaori. She was supposed to be in the shadows trailing him but he 'persuaded' her to walk with him. She seemed very reluctant to do so.

He did somewhat understand people's reactions in objecting his request. Like that scandal when him and Atobe were publicly announced that they were together. It was without his permission of course. When they were being bothered, it only took him one day to settle the public and they never mentioned it again. He made sure they would never mention it again.

They made it to Tezuka's place in no time, much to Kaori's relief. She felt so sorry for the person about to become Fuji's victim of the day. She reluctantly followed as they were led inside. They were greeted with Yuki who answered.

"Hello Yuki-chan, is Ryoma up yet?" Fuji asked and he picked her up.

"Not yet Fuji-san," Yuki responded as they made their way up the stairs to Ryoma's temporary room. They were surprised that he wasn't sleeping there. The bed looked like it hadn't been used. Luckily Shiori passed by. "Shiori-san, where's Ryoma-san?" Yuki asked the maid.

"I don't know Yuki-chan. You should ask Tezuka-san. He slept in this morning so he hasn't gone to work yet," she said. Fuji looked curious. His smile almost turned into a smirk.

"Slept in you say?" he said. Shiori glanced at him nervously. She also heard about Fuji's 'conquests'. It would cause trauma to someone for life.

"Hai, Fuji-san."

"Well Yuki-chan, let's go wake your father up ne?" Fuji held her hand as they walked towards Tezuka's room. "Yuki-chan, would you like to do the honors?" Then Fuji opened the door.

"PAPA!" Yuki yelled startling the sleeping man. Tezuka rubbed sleep out of his eyes before looking to the door. He placed his glasses on and looked worriedly at the entrance sitting up. Fuji was there, looking amused than usual. That was not a good thing.

"Yuki-chan, what is it?" he asked.

"Papa, we can't find Ryoma-san." She said worriedly. Tezuka looked confused but then turned to his side as he felt movement beside him. Damn. Fuji wouldn't let him live this down. Ryoma had shifted facing his back to him, apparently still asleep. Tezuka slowly stood up and walked towards the door. He stopped in front of Fuji.

"Not a word," he stated sternly almost glaring at the other. Fuji just kept his smile.

"I haven't said anything," Fuji added, "yet."

"I mean it Fuji. Nothing happened." Fuji brushed it off as Tezuka closed the door to his room.

"Tezuka, you don't mind if I stay till Ryoma-kun wakes up? I plan to get him ready to be your escort to Keigo's invitation only business party tonight." Tezuka's eyes narrowed at him. He missed the 'escort' part when the words 'Keigo's…party' came up.

"What party?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh you didn't get the invitation, I was supposed to tell you a week ago. It seemed to slip my mind. But I'm sure you'll be ready in time. Other big business companies will be there, international ones as well."

Tezuka sighed and walked to his office. He had some work to do. It just never ends.

TBC------------

BLK Angel of Destruction: I updated sooner than expected. Anyways I hope you all enjoy! I really appreciate reviews! They're my inspiration!

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