Painless

Summary: Fuji is 'Pain' and Atobe is 'Agony'. Their target is Tezuka Kunimitsu. But will their love for him get in the way? Or is it love for each other?

Warnings: Shounen-ai

Pairings: Atobe/Fuji, Tezuka/Fuji, slight Yuki/Fuji, super slight Fuji/Ryoma

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not mine.

Chapter 3: Bondless

Thanks for all the good reviews last time, too! This really encouraged me too...upload faster? xD This chapter kind of short, so hang in there while I'm editing the next one. Thank you for reading, reviewing and enjoying, and keep it up!

The entire time, through Inui and Kaidoh's match, through Eiji and Momo's match, and through Taka's match, Jiroh slept, and Fuji kept getting those painful stabs at his mind. He tried to keep up the wall to protect his memories, but it was failing with ever sharp jab of pain. His hair was tousled and he was sweating from the effort. He finally collapsed against the rail wall that separated the bleachers from the courts in the middle of Taka's match.

"Fuji!" Tezuka shouted. He ran over to his friend. The commotion attracted the attention of the other team, and also woke up Jiroh. He shook his head sleepily, annoyed at the distraction. He was just about to get through Fuji's mind barrier for the first time, too!

"Fujiko! What happened?" Eiji also rushed over to his best friend.

Fuji had his face buried in his hands and was shaking uncontrollably. Whoever was colliding with his barrier finally had relented, but the memory left him shaken. That had been the worst attack in his entire life, and the force seemed stronger than ever.

"Fuji, it's almost time for your match; should we forfeit and take you to the clinic?" Tezuka asked. He held out a hand to help Fuji get up.

Fuji stood up weakly, with one hand clutching the railing for support, and the other in his captain's outstretched hand. "I'm fine."

"Fujiko! You are NOT fine! You just collapsed against the railing! You're anything but fine, nya!" Kikumaru screamed.

"No, it's alright, I'll pull through. I…can survive this match. After this, you guys can take me wherever. I need to win…this match, though," Fuji said. Tezuka looked sternly at Fuji, obviously not accepting his answer. They could both be as stubborn as they wanted, and the argument probably would've continued forever if not for a new voice.

"Fuji-sempai isn't going to back down." Everyone turned and stared at the newcomer. Ryoma smirked. "Let him play through the match."

Fuji smiled gratefully at Ryoma, and Tezuka reluctantly nodded.

Once Fuji stepped onto the court, though, his mind was clear. He only had one goal, and this was to win. It was to avenge his brother, Yuuta, after losing to Jiroh in fifteen minutes. It was also for his friend, Taka, who hurt his hand so badly trying to win. And lastly but most importantly, it was for Tezuka.

With Jiroh fully awake on the other side of the court, and his two closest friends and rivals watching on each side, Fuji vowed to win. This was the first time he had felt this way, so focused on his goal. Now, the thrill of it was only an aspect, the need to win taking over.

Fuji defeated Jiroh quickly, six games to one, without even being fully serious. After the match, Ryoma, the substitute bench coach, took Fuji to the clinic for a quick check up. It felt strange having someone so much younger and shorter than him escort him somewhere. Fuji chuckled at the thought.

When they were back, Tezuka and Atobe were already into their game. Fuji was torn between which of the two to side with, until he decided against siding at all. It didn't help that his friends were talking about the said subject, though.

"Which one do you think will win, nya?" Kikumaru asked quietly, as if the earth would collapse underneath him if he spoke any louder.

"Tezuka-buchou for sure," Momo replied. He was just as quiet to preserve the tense air. "He hasn't lost a single official match yet."

"Same! I totally agree!" Kikumaru all but sang. Quietly, of course.

"Mada mada dane," Ryoma said, as expected. Fuji knew that it translated to 'Don't be so sure', though, in Ryoma-speak. Fuji smiled at Ryoma, agreeing with him, and went back to watching the game.

Atobe needed to win this match. It was to keep Hyotei from losing to Seigaku, and it was to defeat the nationally ranked Tezuka Kunimitsu. But most importantly, it was to prove at al costs that he was better than Tezuka, and to prove it in front of Fuji. That was why he was so relentless at that match. Normally, he wouldn't resort to his insight to detect injuries, but this time, it was completely different. Like Fuji, his need to win had completely taken over, and it didn't matter what he needed to do. He wasn't thinking sensibly when aiming for Tezuka's shoulder.

Fuji watched helplessly as Seigaku's captain fell to the ground, clutching his left shoulder. All his teammates were shouting for Tezuka and jumping on to the court to see if he was alright. Ryoma and Fuji stayed back. Fuji wanted to shout for Atobe, but the words couldn't come to his lips, and he shouted, "Tezuka!" instead, while staring right at Atobe. But Atobe wasn't looking at Fuji; he was looking straight at Tezuka. Fuji couldn't tell what kind of glint Atobe held in his eyes. He looked closely. There was definitely anger in there somewhere. But looking again, Fuji noticed another spark. Was that concern? Fuji narrowed his eyes. Did Atobe like Tezuka?

Atobe stared at Tezuka's collapsed figure. He was angry at him for playing with such an injury; did he think of him that lowly? But once he heard Fuji call out Tezuka's name, the flash of anger in his eyes quickly dissipated and was replaced be jealousy. Atobe didn't dare glance at Fuji, for his fear of finding Fuji staring at Tezuka, or fear of finding him staring at Atobe with animosity. Instead, he only continued to stare at Tezuka.

Jiroh was into Fuji's consciousness again. There were so many feelings clashing with each other this time, though, some of which Fuji didn't even know he was feeling. He found himself looking through Fuji's eyes, staring at Atobe. Atobe? Why not Tezuka? Jiroh smiled at his new discovery. He sifted through Fuji's feelings. The ones pressing against him the most were jealousy, anger, betrayal, and pain. Wait, wasn't Fuji supposed to be the once inflicting pain among Tezuka? Instead, it was Atobe inflicting pain upon Fuji, and Fuji inflicting pain on Atobe, though neither of them knew it. Knowing this, Jiroh came to several conclusions:

1. Fuji liked Atobe.

2. Atobe liked Fuji

3. Tezuka liked neither of them.

4. Atobe was jealous of Tezuka because Fuji had shouted his name instead of Atobe's.

5. Fuji was jealous of Tezuka because he had mistaken the look of jealousy in Atobe's eyes for a look of concern.

6. This was going to be a VERY difficult miscommunication to sort through.

Jiroh woke up and yawned. Oh well, as long as the gods didn't find out.

So, how did you guys like this chapter? I'm sorry for the short-ness. Please review!