Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis
Ice
Chapter 2
The chill in the air bit at Ryoma's nose and cheeks leaving them red and stinging. Leaning back upon his favorite tree, he gazed at the sunset while reminiscing about what had happened in the past few days. It was hard to believe that just a week ago, he was a carefree boy who thought of nothing but tennis and Karupin. Everyday since that, Ryoma would sit under this tree holding on to the time before the sun disappeared in the faraway mountains. When it did, he would too.
Ryoma hated it when he had to return to the place he once called home; the place where memories linger in every corner of every room. Silence and darkness are always the interminable winners there. His screams and cries of anguish are forced inside of him. He can do nothing but exist agonizingly, in constant reminder of what once was.
Droplets fell from Ryoma cheeks and onto the grass. He inclined his head to look at the sky. 'Is it raining? No, I'm…crying?' He could not help the descent of silent tears that flowed relentlessly down his face.
Long fingers other than Ryoma's gently brushed his tears away. They trailed the shaped of his face with a light caress. Wrapping both arms around the young boy, Fuji held Ryoma close to him. He notices the drastic amount of weight the younger boy had lost.
"You're not alone, you know," Fuji whispered gently into his hair.
"What are you doing here, Fuji-sempai?" Echizen managed to utter. A light blush was creeping on to his face at being caught when he was so defenseless. Oddly enough, Fuji's embrace was oddly warm and comforting. The boy nuzzled deeper into his shoulder unconsciously. The fact that someone cared about him comforted Ryoma.
"I like to walk on this road when I need some peace and quiet," Fuji replies with a sweet smile. Seconds of silence pass. Ryoma wonders if Fuji will ask why he's crying. Seconds turn into minutes.
"You don't have to tell me until you're ready," Fuji murmurs as if reading his mind.
Echizen pulls away from the warmth and the cold air immediately engulfs him. He turns away from the tensai and prepares to leave.
"I have to go home (he cringes at the word). See you tomorrow," Ryoma responds coldly resuming back to his old self.
A hand reached out to clutch his arm.
"Everyone cares about you."
Echizen pulled out of his grip and never looks back at Fuji. Sapphire-blue eyes follow his movement as he walks away. The moon shines from above as if watching the pair.
Fuji scanned the mass of people blissfully enjoying a break for lunch trying to pick out the first-year that has been invading his thoughts ever since last night. He spots the three freshmen that always seemed to be hanging around and cheering for Ryoma. One was tall with short hair, another had medium-length hair that was cut evenly all around, and the last one had brown hair and an unbearable voice that spoke as if it had the wisdom of many years.
"I never see Ryoma-kun at lunch anymore," says the boy with medium-length hair.
"I saw him heading for the roof today," states the tall boy.
"Yeah, Echizen hasn't been eating for the past few days. That lazy guy just naps on the roof-top. The stress must be getting to him" the brown-haired boy agrees sympathetically.
That was all Fuji need to hear before tuning out of the boys' conversation. He walked over to the lunch line and picked out a meal, forgetting about his own lunch on the table.
Opening the door to the roof, Fuji felt the icy wind envelope him. Fuji smiled wryly at the place Echizen chose to occupy. Pulling his scarf tighter, he examined the area to find the boy he was looking for perched on the balcony.
Echizen was lying on his side with his head propped underneath his arm as a pillow. Black bangs covering his slim face, the freshman had opened his mouth slightly to let out soft breaths. Smiling down at him, Fuji chided him tenderly, 'You'll catch a cold if you sleep out here." He reached down to and shook him gently.
Fluttering his eyelids, Ryoma stretched out his arms above him to let out a yawn. He glanced around with sleepy eyes before widening them at the sight of Fuji.
"What are you doing here Fuji sempai?"
A/N: Love it or hate it? Criticism very much welcome.
