Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or Tokyo Babylon.

Ice

Chapter 12


"I'm hurt Ryo, it seems you've replaced me quickly." Kirihara's hurt tone was marred by the mocking smile playing around his lips. He took a smooth stride toward the two, locking eyes with the Fuji, neither refusing to back down.

The tensai narrowed his eyes dangerously, simultaneously tightening his hold on Ryoma who had started to tremble when the other had arrived. He was pretty sure that this was the reason why the boy was an emotional wreck.

He opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything, Ryoma had broken free from his grasp to stand before Kirihara.

"Why did you do it? I loved you," each word was laced with pain as the boy lowered his face to hide behind his dark locks.

"Love? There's no such thing as love. The only thing that exists is me, you," he paused to lift the boy's face towards his with a finger, caressing the other's face with a surprisingly gentle but icy touch, "and this."

Ryoma closed his eyes, leaning into his touch. Fuji watched on with blazing eyes, unable to tear his eyes from the disturbing yet entrancing sight in front of him. Feeling numbness rise and spread throughout his body, he could not bring himself to stop the two in front of him.

"Funny, isn't it? I have never been able to distinguish the difference between humans." Effortlessly, he twisted the boy's arm in a tight grip behind his back, applying just enough pressure for him to feel pain but not enough to cause damage.

"To break your arm right now is the same to me as crushing a glass cup." Ryoma closed his eyes and waited for the force of the impact.

Instead, Kirihara roughly pushed the boy away from him, a sudden look of disgust on his face. The momentum sent him tumbling into Fuji's arms. Coming to his senses, the tensai lightly pushed Ryoma behind him as if shielding him from the other.

"Why don't you resist me? I bet you could put up a good fight if you really tried." A brief glimmer of confusion flitted through his red eyes, looking out of place on his demonic features. Shaking his head, he turned his head to Fuji.

"I'll give you one chance to save yourself. Walk away right now and forget everything that had happened between you and Ryo." Kirihara gave him a chance to consider his offer. When he realized Fuji was not going anywhere, an insane grin lit up his face.

"You're going to make this fun for me, aren't you? Let's make a deal. I'll even play your own game, Fuji-kun. Aren't you known as Seigaku's tensai? If you win, I'll leave you and Ryo alone forever."

"What happens if I lose?" Fuji asked casually though his eyes were narrowed.

"You will owe me your life." Kirihara's licked his lips slowly, never taking his glowing gaze off of the other boy.

"I accept." His voice was calm and unwavering. Ryoma clutched Fuji's shirt tightly from behind and buried his face in it. He pulled the senpai close towards him, refusing to let him go.

"Don't worry Ryoma. It will just be a second. Will you trust me?" Fuji turned towards the boy and gripped his shoulder comfortingly. He nodded slowly with uncertain eyes before letting go of the tensai's shirt.

"Isn't it convenient that we're right next to the street tennis court?" Kirihara pointed to the stone steps behind him, effectively breaking through the two's serene moment. Though he would never admit it, the visibly close relationship between Fuji and Ryoma unsettled him.


Fuji watched his opponent take position in the court across from him, analyzing his every move with a calculating eye. He quickly decided against letting his opponent off easy for the consequence of losing was not an option. Deciding to take this game seriously from the moment it started, Fuji started out his serving game with the under serve.

'Not gonna cut me a break, huh?' Kirihara decided that this way was going to be more fun. It would be pointless winning a game from someone who was not trying. No, it's much more fun seizing victory from someone who knows he has done everything he could. 'I think I'm gonna toy with you a little longer.'

Winning an ace game easily with his serves, Fuji moved into ready position for Kirihara's next move. His eyes widened in shock as a twist serve flew toward his face. The other was not to be underestimated. He knew more about tennis than he revealed. A sudden smile appeared on his face as he was reminded of an earlier memory.

"Ryoma, remember the deal we made on the rooftop."

The boy nodded with dazed eyes as he was suddenly interrupted from his concentrated observation of the game.

"I will fulfill my part of the deal today," he whispered as a high lob soared above his head.


A/N: Yay, we're almost at the climate of this story. Don't give up yet. I was wondering if anyone is going to Otakon this year because I am. It'd be interesting. If you are, pm me or something.