Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, the characters are all borrowed from its magnificent writer.
Summary: Ryoma comes back from America with a dark and mysterious past that continuously haunts him. Just when he's about to forget, the person that caused all his misery reappeared in his life to claim Ryoma wholly. Will his sempai be able to save Ryoma, or will he forever be locked in a past he only knows? Fujixryoma SLASH
A/N: first of all I would like to thank all those who reviewed and added me and my story in their favorite list. You don't know how excited I am seeing that this is my first time. So I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 2
A lone figure sat dejectedly beside the glass window overlooking a luxuriant garden. The slowly darkening sky caused by the looming sinister clouds indicated a storm, casting the figure's silhouette to stretch across the spacious room and dance because of the flickering candle lights situated on the floor.
The scent coming from the candles were a special batch shipped from India that specialized in soothing the nerves and specifically a calming draught for the mind. Though the air was already heavily laden with the exquisite aroma, it did nothing to ease his psyche, or in the least, uncoil the tensions in his muscles.
Thunder rumbled as the fragile body shook with tremors, biting his lips hard enough to draw blood to keep the tears spilling from his heavily closed eyes. As soon as the first rain touched the earth, the imprisoned whirlwind of emotions that he locked for the past couple of days was unleashed, the torrents of tears that used to be locked flowed freely in the seclusion of the four closed walls.
He doesn't cry! He cannot cry! He NEVER cries!
He needs to be strong! He cannot be weak! He can NEVER be weak!
And yet, he cannot help but to crumble at the pressure. Though he projected a tough visage, inside, he was just a child… weak… vulnerable. But since the incident, he can never afford to be any of this. He needs to mature earlier than any of his sempai and to face the harsh reality of the world.
Challenges were thrown his way and he emerged from them never unscathed. Yet, he continued to stand up, to run and never even think to give up. But things started to spiral out of control. Problems came one after another before he even has the time to recover.
He was just so tired… so tired of everything…
"Ryoma?" the boy stiffened, tensed at being exposed at his most defenseless state.
"What are you doing here Keigo?!" the boy, Ryoma said in a firm voice, never betraying an ounce of emotion. "I specifically ordered that no one disturb me."
Keigo paid no heed in his words and Ryoma could hear the intruder's steps padded towards him.
"Keigo, get out!" Ryoma ordered, suddenly frightened at the thought that someone could see him looking so… weak. Ryoma curled himself into a ball and tried to hide himself in the dark. He cannot let anyone see him like this. They'll be disgusted… recoiled at his flaws… and repulsed at his pathetic condition.
"Keigo, I told you-"
Ryoma's reprimand was caught in his throat as a pair of warm hands wounded around his shoulder and rested on his chest.
"Keigo! Kei-"
Ryoma struggled against the iron grip that caged him, but all Keigo did was strengthen his hold and pushed Ryoma into him until the smaller boy's back was resting on his hard chest.
"Ryoma…. Ryoma…. Ssshhh…. I'm here now… you'll never be alone…
Keigo rocked themselves back and fort, whispering comforts in Ryoma's ears and never relinquishing his hold, not even when Ryoma relaxed and stopped struggling.
"You're lying…."Ryoma whispered, his face cast into shadows "I'll be alone….. I'll be left all alone…"
"Ryoma, you don't know what you're talking about-
"Of course I know!" Ryoma shouted, the tears escaped his eyes, sobs rocking his body. At that moment, Ryoma couldn't care less if the mask he carefully donned in front of everybody is crumbling before him, bearing himself.
"He left mom and me… all I have now is her" Ryoma rattled, as if there is no one but himself "she's the only reason why I still try to continue on… to play tennis even if the mere thought of touching or seeing a racket reduce me in a trembling heap. I held and stood my ground in every game with her in my thoughts…. So that she would not worry and think that I gave up, because I need to be strong for her."
"I only have her, and she only has me… I assumed my position as the heir too early, I took the role not because it is inevitable but because the time is already running on us. I can't crumble because if I do… I'll also lose her."
Ryoma's unseeing eyes stared back eerily at Keigo.
"… and yet… I'm still losing her. She's already slipping away… can't you see Keigo?" Ryoma smiled bitterly though his tears still streamed down in rivulets down his face, making his heart clench at Ryoma's broken appearance.
"She's dying… she's leaving me too…" Ryoma's voice broke "I'm so tired… so tired Keigo… sometimes, I thought of ending it all-
SLAP
Ryoma's face turned to side painfully, his eyes wide in hurt and betrayal. Trembling, he raised his hands up to his bruised cheek but still kept his face in darkness.
Keigo seethed in anger… no... Not anger, he could never get angry at Ryoma. The truth is, he was scared. Yes, Atobe Keigo, who got everything he wanted, who never backed up in a challenge and took thing head on… was scared. He was frightened out of his mind when he heard that Ryoma wanted to end his life. That he even came close to thinking, of embracing the thought of death.
"Don't. Ever. Say. That." Keigo's hold on him tightened. "The Ryoma I knew would never give up, would never think of forfeiting. He'd rather fight and lose than surrender half way."
"How do you know?!" Ryoma broke off from Keigo's hold, snarling in fury and exposing his fiery golden eyes. "How do you know who I am when you're never there when I most needed you?! How do you know that I'm still the Ryoma you met when we were children?! That I didn't change?!"
"I fucking had enough of people leaving me… of-of betraying me!" Ryoma bowed his head with his fist clench and voice in a whisper "why do I always need to be the one to be strong… who has to be invincible and be the pillar of support?"
Keigo strode over Ryoma and with steady hands, and hugged the smaller boy in a reassuring embrace. He rested his chin on top of Ryoma's head
"I'm sorry for all the times that I'm not with you when you needed me… for being an insensitive prick for not seeing your pain… but everything's change now. I'm here and nothing could make me leave you. You never have to be strong in front of me, you can cry and open your fears when I'm with you. I will carry you on my back when you crumble under the pressure. You don't need to pretend and be someone you're not anymore."
"Keigo-
"I need you Ryoma… that's why I can't loose you to anything or anyone… even to yourself."
Keigo clung to Ryoma as if he's going to disappear if he did not. He buried his face in the emerald tinted hair that smelled a little of strawberry that he couldn't help but to nuzzle and sigh in contentment. When Ryoma brought her hands around Keigo and balled his hands in his shirt, he almost howled in elation and relief and couldn't care less that his Armani suit was getting crumpled.
They hung onto each other in the darkness, letting themselves relish the moment, and not risking speaking and breaking the silence. They were fine with it and don't need words to understand each other. Everything that needs to be said was already said.
After a moment, Keigo led Ryoma to the bed, tucking themselves with the crimson silk sheet. Keigo slung a hand over to Ryoma, cocooning him protectively while Ryoma's back was pressed on his chest. He indulged himself with a little selfish action and let his hand play with Ryoma's silky strand.
Both were wide awake and Keigo, sensing that it was already safe to speak, did so.
"When did you learn?"
"Awhile ago" Ryoma spoke steadily, eyes closed while despite himself, enjoyed his friend's ministration. "I already knew that this day would come, but hearing it in reality…"
Ryoma shook his head.
"She was already weak. Since oyaji…. Died, her sickness overcame her that there were times that she couldn't get up from bed. That's when I started to get involve with the company. I couldn't stand everything they worked for collapse so I stepped up and took their positions for the mean time. I know that it's wishful thinking that she'd be well and I could go back to my laid back life. I never wanted to see the truth and only saw what I wanted to believe in… and now reality seemed to mock me"
Keigo didn't speak and comforted him silently.
"Everyday she only grew worse and today…
Flashback
Ryoma entered the quaint study, never bothering to look around but instead, strode straight to the seat behind a majestic oak desk across the man he already grew accustomed over the years he took over their business.
"Echizen- sama" greeted a middle aged man with chocolate brown hair and spectacles.
"Hamilton- san" Ryoma nodded back "I'm sorry I'm late, there were a few casualties along the way. What pleasure do I owe your presence?"
"I will not beat around the bush Echizen- sama" the man gained a professional look "I brought unpleasant news regarding your mother"
Ryoma grew drastically pale but kept her emotionless mask on "is that so? Then speak up the news you've brought me."
"You're mother's doctor informed me of her critical condition. The disease's spreading accelerated causing multiple organ failure and the breakdown of her immune system. I'm afraid that she wouldn't make through this ordeal any longer."
Mr. Hamilton fixed his glasses, the reflection obscuring his hazel eyes.
"She expressed her desire that you assume her position permanently as the legal heir and president of the Echizen Chains of Corporation. The documents were already being processed as we speak now. Your mother wills that you continue your study in high school though you already completed your Masters Degree in Business Management and Foreign Studies. Your mother has no ounce of doubt that you could uphold the Echizen fortune and at the same time, lead as much as a normal life as you could have."
"She will fly to and arrive in Japan next week, she miss your dearly and wish to spend her remaining days by your side"
Ryoma heard everything that Mr. Hamilton told him but things seemed to be muffled and blurry as his senses numbed about the news of her mother. He just nodded and signed the emancipation papers he bought with him
Before they separate ways, Ryoma had one question burning in his mind.
"How long does she have?"
The Echizen's lawyer didn't respond right away but answered at the last minute.
"Six months… and that's already stretching it."
End flashback
Ryoma let the tears flow without making any sound. He was grateful that the dark hid his weakness from Keigo. It still doesn't suit him the feeling of being exposed. He was raised to be tough and he doubt that he'll ever get used to opening himself to others. Still, the hand around him and his friend's closeness oddly comforted him.
He won't promise anything. He's scrupulous enough not to make any careless promises, knowing that the future is bleak and unpredictable… but he'll give it try. There's nothing left in him that he could still lose anyway.