Sorry if it seems OOC. I hope it isn't too bad.

Note: 'Ai' has two different Kanji, one which reads as sorrow, and the other which reads as love.

Ryoma yawned widely and stretched. Because of the ranking matches that would take place this afternoon, morning practice had been canceled. Finally, a chance to sleep in, and what happens? He can't sleep. How bloody unfair.

Every time he closed his eyes, a smiling brunette face would float into his mind. That wasn't really so bad…he liked looking at the pretty face, but…for some reason, his whole body would contract painfully. There was something he could see…something reddish…it was only a flash of color in his mind, but it never seemed to go away. It was…disturbing…

Then…the image of Fuji morphed…now he could see him standing next to a figure with dark brown hair and glasses. They were walking together, holding hands. His chest constricted tightly and he scrunched his face in pain. The images kept morphing; the figures were walking, hugging, kissing…Ryoma's eyes flew open and he whimpered. His body hurt…everywhere. It wouldn't stop, wouldn't diminish and the red that was invading his mind started to grow. It hurt and it wouldn't stop. Ryoma's whimpering grew louder as the pain became more intense. His eyes squinted open and he could see something bending over him…it was too dark to see their features clearly, but golden, cat-like eyes peered through the shadows, glowing almost. It reached out and Ryoma tried to worm away, but he couldn't move. The thing grabbed him, around the throat, tightly, and he could vaguely hear a strangled scream, a cry for help, before the blackness consumed him completely. The last thing he heard was a loud yell of "RYOMA!!"

--

Fuji Syuusuke couldn't hold back the sigh that threatened to break through. He was walking towards the school, same time as always, but he didn't feel the same as always. He felt…guilty…and confused. Thinking back on his conversation with the older Echizen…was it really possible?

"Now, Echizen-kun, perhaps you can explain why I was attacked by your brother who now doesn't seem to know anything that happened?" Fuji's eyes were open and staring directly into his.

"Um…well, he doesn't, not exactly. See…"Ryoga swallowed nervously. "It happened about…a couple of months before we returned to Japan. He was acting moodier than normal, short with everyone. It didn't take much for him to snap, which was odd in itself. Chibisuke had always had a lot of self control, so for him to breakdown…it was practically unheard of. But…it happened…

"It was at a festival thing downtown, when it first happened. We had to practically drag him along hollering and screaming, but once we got there, he calmed down a bit. I think he was actually starting to enjoy himself when we came across this booth that held 'cursed artifacts'. That sort of scam isn't uncommon, but Chibisuke was interested in it, so we took a look. They were just pieces of pottery and jewelry and stuff, but I guess this one must've caught his eye, cuz next thing I knew, he was lying on the ground, having some sort of panic attack.

"Well, as expected, everyone freaked and we called an ambulance and police and the whole circus. 'Kaa-san sorta overreacted, but her son was having some sort of issue, so we can forgive her. Anyway, the booth vender followed us to the hospital. At the time, I thought it was cuz he was afraid he'd get sued or something, but then he started saying all this weird stuff like, 'The inner shadow shall now arise, awakened by the necklace's power.'

"Admittedly, I went nuts and attacked him, but he would just keep repeating the same thing, 'Beware of the inner darkness.' I was about ready to check him into the psycho ward when the doctors came out and told us Chibisuke was awake. They also reached out to hand us this necklace, but the vender guy, he yelled for us not to touch it, without some sort of protection. Now, he had everyone staring at him, but since Chibisuke had collapsed after grabbing it, we figured it was wise to use a little caution.

"The doctors couldn't tell us anything about what had happened. They said he'd gone into shock but that there was no explanation as to why. So, we went to see him, me still dragging that vendor freak. We walked into the room and he smiled at us. That in itself is pretty weird, but his smile looked…sadistic. It was enough to send 'Kaa-san into a fit, and Oyaji was trying to console her when Chibisuke reached up and attacked the nurse that was lingering around him. Needless to say, we were shocked. I mean, Chibisuke was never really the violent sort, ya know, and he just…pounced. It was frightening and everything was chaotic, but someone managed to get in a sedate him.

"When he woke up, he didn't remember anything. At first, we thought it was just the drugs acting up; he was pumped up on sedatives, so we just brushed it aside. The vendor said, with this creepy, ominous voice, 'His shadow is now awakened. That which he has hidden inside of him for so long is now released. It is built off the negatives and will not stop until it is finished. Ai, those in the past have called it, for it is created from love, but always causes only sorrow. It's goal will be to destroy the one responsible for its creation.' Then that bastard just vanished, leaving us to stare.

"We'd dismissed the whole thing when Chibisuke was discharged without any problems. But, a few weeks later, something happened again. The necklace he'd gotten from the vendor – well, really we never paid for it, but… – he had worn it at all times, but it had managed to come undone at school. According to his classmates, he suddenly changed completely and attacked anyone around him. Afterwards, though, he couldn't remember anything that had happened.

"He was put in a psych ward for a while, and diagnosed with schizophrenia…a split personality." At that point, Fuji's eyebrows had risen slightly in amusement, but it was short lived. "The other personality, it was violent and somehow connected to the necklace. From what the doctors told us, Chibisuke had created some sort of subconscious mental connection between them so that the necklace was a sort of seal over his other personality. Basically, whenever the necklace comes off, he goes psycho. Except lately, it started happening even when the necklace was still on. That was when I remembered what the vendor had said. This other personality, Ai, was trying to 'destroy the one responsible for its creation.' We thought that might mean it was trying to kill Chibisuke, but Ai had never done anything to directly harm him. So…if it wasn't Chibisuke that was responsible for its creation, it must've been someone else that was connected to it. According to the vendor, Ai was created from Chibisuke's love. From what I understand, Ai is trying to kill whomever it is that Chibisuke is in love with…and he apparently took a few of the negative traits from said person."

"Negative traits?" Fuji asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Ai is extremely sadistic and possessive. That means that Chibisuke's love is probably sadistic and possessive as well. So… any ideas who the lucky guy is?" Ryoga's smile was anything but pleasant.

The whole alter-ego deal aside, Fuji already knew that. And he still felt guilty over it. He'd known that Ryoma had a certain amount of affection for him, but…love to that degree? He'd figured it was just a passing crush, puppy love and all that. Never once did he imagine that he'd done so much to the boy…

Great, now he was feeling even more guilty. When Echizen had left, he'd had a sneaking suspicion that it might have something to do with his rejection. After all, it was only a few weeks previously that the boy had come and confessed to him. It was actually quite cute, the usually cocky body standing there, red faced and fidgeting uncertainly. Unfortunately, Fuji had had to turn him down. He loved Kunimitsu, he couldn't help that. He'd really thought that after that, maybe Ryoma'd be a little sore with him for a while, but surely he'd get over it…right? Apparently not, as the boy was now suffering all because of him. Well, didn't that make him feel just dandy?

He growled softly and ran a hand through his light brown locks. Why did life have to be so bloody complicated, anyway? He'd never felt so guilty and hopeless in his entire life, and the worst thing was that he actually felt a ripple of pleasure when he heard that Ryoma still loved him. So…what now?

--

Tezuka Kunimitsu sighed and rubbed his temple. He needed to concentrate on club activities, but he just kept getting distracted. He couldn't help it, he was just like any other teenager with hormones controlling his life, ya know. He may act mature and responsible, but he wasn't perfect. And it didn't really help that his outlet for such hormonal responses was going through his own issues, rendering them both unavailable. Actually, that was what was weighing on his mind the most. Fuji had been so distant lately, he just couldn't understand it. Admittedly, he wasn't the best at understanding people, but he'd always thought Fuji was a lot like him. Sure, they had their differences, and really, Echizen was probably a lot more like him than Fuji, but he was sure they'd come to know each other pretty well in the last few years. So why was it now, when Echizen had suddenly returned, that Fuji started acting strange?

It was weird, the way Echizen Ryoma had wormed his way into their relationship, actually. They had started dating just before he left and, now that he'd returned, would that mean the end of it? Tezuka sighed and hoped that Fuji and he could pull through whatever was going on. Now, back to work…

He glanced down at the papers he was supposed to be looking over and sighed again. The ranking tournament…it would be held today, right after school and he wondered, what would come of it…

--

"Nya, what's going on? Shouldn't Ochibi be here by now?" Kikumaru Eiji sank onto the ground, pouting. Momoshiro nodded vaguely, ignoring the warning glance from Oishi. Echizen, while not exactly disliked, wasn't favored with the regulars anymore. They were all still quite hurt that he would just up and leave them like that, but he was still their friend…even if the feeling wasn't mutual. They couldn't help but worry for their young kohai and hope that everything was alright.

Oishi sighed. This was getting out of hand. What if something had happened to the Echizen brothers? What would happen if they were late enough that Tezuka disqualified them from the tournament? While they didn't know much about Ryoga, it was clear that Ryoma would make a great addition to the team, especially since the coach had allowed this chance. But…if they were disqualified, would they still get a chance and be favored over everyone else, or would the team lose a valuable talent…again.

Letting out another sigh, he turned to the infamous trio of first years. "Have any of you seen Echizen?" He turned to Eiji and the others. "What about you guys? Isn't the older Echizen in your class?"

"Yeah, with me and Fujiko, but he didn't show up today…nya, I wonder if he's sick?"

Horio said, in his loud, obnoxious voice, "The other Echizen didn't turn up, either. He could've just been ditching 'til practice, though…used to do that a lot in junior high."

"Hmm…" Oishi looked around, his brow creasing in worry.

Fuji stood nearby, a frown prominent on his face. Tezuka was talking with the coach inside and the matches wouldn't be starting until they were finished, but that was the farthest thought from his mind a the moment. 'Echizen…'

A sudden shout called the attention of most everyone around. A freshman girl with bouncing pigtails flying behind her raced into the courts, running in the vague direction of the regulars.

"Where's the coach?" Osakada Tomoka asked, panting harshly.

"Is something wrong?" Oishi asked kindly.

"Yeah, got–gotta tell him about Ryoma-sama…" She puffed, breathlessly.

"What about Echizen?" Fuji asked, standing abruptly.

"He–he needs to be excused from practice…his brother wanted someone to inform the coach…"

"Why?" This time Momo was the one to ask, and Kaidou hissed beside him, prompting the girl to get to the point.

"My precious Ryoma-sama is in the hospital." She wailed.

--

Benches, Oishi pondered absentmindedly, were not made for seven people, especially when those seven people were the Seigaku regulars. Normally, who they were shouldn't make a difference, but with them…he wondered how Tezuka managed to look so calm and unaffected, even with the screeching and hollering the others were doing. He wasn't the only one. Fuji had been strangely silent and solemn for a while now. Not that the tensai was usually loud, but the significant lack of a smile on that carefully trained face was alarming.

He breathed out in relief when the door opened and a doctor immerged. Everyone immediately fell silent and stilled, finally making the bench more comfortable. Unfortunately, the doctor didn't call for the companions of Echizen Ryoma…instead, he went to some lady, informing her of a recent birth. He couldn't hear any more, because, with the disappointment in their minds, the chaos issued once more.

Oishi Shuichiro was a patient man, but there were times when even his tolerance was worn thin. Now, he desperately hoped, would not be one of those times, because the last thing they needed was for another attribution to the noise.

And maybe soon the doctors would come and tell them of Echizen. Hopefully the delay wasn't because of anything bad.

--

When the doctors finally did call, the news wasn't what they wanted to hear. Echizen was awake, but he didn't want to see anyone. They respected his wish, but that didn't mean they had to accept it. Momo and Kikumaru were whining, loudly, but the good thing was that, even though Echizen had denied them, he had also denied everyone else, thus the simple-minded players such as Momo and Eiji couldn't be convinced that their Ochibi hated them. Oishi let out a long sigh and ushered everyone out of the waiting room. When they were outside, he noticed two of his teammates lingering and decided to give them some privacy. Eiji whined that they had waited so long only to leave without seeing Ochibi at all. Oishi quietly reminded him that, even if he didn't want to see them, wasn't it more important that he was okay? That seemed to subdue the hyperactive redhead and even calmed the dunk smash player as well.

Behind the group, Fuji stood just outside the hospital, staring absentmindedly out over the parking lot. After having his little chat with Ryoga, he found it hard to convince himself that this accident was mere coincident. But if it wasn't, did that mean he was responsible for Echizen's hospitalization? A fresh wave of guilt cascaded over him and he let out a soft sigh.

"Syuusuke," A deep voice called. He turned to look at Tezuka, a small smile making its way onto his face.

"Something wrong, Kunimitsu?" He asked pleasantly. Tezuka's stare hardened.

"Syuusuke…what's wrong? Ever since Echizen's reappearance, you've been…out of sorts…Is there a problem?" He asked. It wasn't exactly the frantic worrying that he was feeling inside, but he supposed it was as close as he could get.

"Hmm? Oh, no, Kunimitsu…everything's fine. I guess I've just been a little distracted." No, it certainly doesn't have anything to do with a golden eyed boy with a split personality who is now in the hospital, possibly because of me. Fuji sighed again, but this time the smile stayed on his face, even if it was a little bitter. Tezuka could just pretend he didn't see that part…

Tezuka sighed, but didn't push the matter, although he certainly wasn't satisfied with his boyfriend's answer. And he wondered vaguely, when did their relationship come to the point that he felt the need to question Syuusuke's actions? Before, they'd never had any problems…they were very trusting of each other, whether it be on the courts, in bed, or just part of their everyday life. But now…what had changed? Echizen Ryoma, he had returned, but why was it that that should change things so much? He was just a promising talent, right? He certainly had nothing to do with their relationship…right?

Tezuka looked up at the blue sky and hoped the answers wouldn't be unfavorable for him.

--

Fuji watched as Tezuka continued home. He needed to do something. If Kunimitsu could see through his mask that easily, then it wouldn't be long before others could as well. Before that happened, he needed to find a way to solve this…well, whatever the problem was, anyway.

Closing his eyes and displaying his pleasant mask once more, he turned and headed back into the hospital. Smiling, he sauntered up to the desk and requested Echizen Ryoma's room number.

"Oh, um, he's in 204…but he's not seeing anyone, I don't think…" The woman behind the desk blushed and lowered her head.

"Thank you." Fuji nodded and walked off, not giving the poor girl a moment's attention. He had more important things to do than humor a hopeless girl.

His ride in the elevator was silent and he ran into no problems on his way. When he got to the room, he saw a woman with long dark hair being led away by what was presumably her husband. Syuusuke quickly ducked behind a door and waited until they'd left before knocking softly on the door to room 204.

"What?" A soft voice billowed through the door, sounding almost meek and vulnerable. But no, that couldn't be right. Meek and vulnerable were two terms never associated with Echizen Ryoma.

He opened the door slowly, peeking in the room. The greenish haired boy lay on sheets of snow white, his pale complexion accented by the darkness of his hair and the contrast of the white room. His golden eyes flickered to Fuji and a small whimper escaped his lips.

Concerned, Fuji rushed to his bedside, asking what was wrong, what hurt, and the next thing he knew, he was laying flat on his back with the smaller boy straddling his waist, hands gripped tightly around his wrists. His eyes fly open to stare at the freshman, who is suddenly much closer, before fluttering closed when a warm pressure fell on his lips. The kiss was soft and loving as Ryoma's plump lips moved against his. It felt good and caring and it was something he'd never before experienced with Kunimitsu. Kunimitsu!

His eyes shot open and he let out a strangled gasp. Ryoma took advantage of the opening and slipped his tongue into the other's mouth, exploring the molten cavern, inspecting his teeth, gums, and tongue. Fuji couldn't help the moan that built in the back of his throat when Ryoma's warm tongue slid across his own, caressing it gently. He could feel the distinctive uplifting of the lips upon his as they stretched into his trademark smirk.

Suddenly, the pressure left his lips and began traveling down his jaw. The grip on his wrists loosened slightly as Ryoma transferred both wrists to one hand, but tightened once more. The now free hand moved down and caressed his chest, slipping beneath the fabric and running along bare skin. A deep moan erupted in Syuusuke's throat. No, this was wrong, he wasn't supposed to like this. He couldn't be liking this…could he? No, no, he loved Kunimitsu, he would enjoy it with Kunimitsu, not with– His thoughts were cut off when the hand teasing his nipples slip down to grasp between his legs. Oh crap, this was not supposed to feel good. Shit, this wasn't good, this needed to stop, he needed to–

The door opened slowly to reveal Tezuka. When he saw what was going on, his eyes widened dramatically and he darted forward, pulling Ryoma off of Syuusuke. He found himself hitting Echizen, not hard, but apparently hard enough as the boy wonder slumped in his arms. He looked over to his boyfriend and frowned.

Fuji was freaking out. He was just molested, he found enjoyed it, his boyfriend walked in on it, his attacker was knocked out…wait, if he was already hospitalized, that can't be good, right?

"Syuusuke…" Tezuka began. Syuusuke looked up, his eyes opening in alarm. "Echizen…"

"Wait, Kuni…Echizen's not himself. His brother told me…he's got a split personality." Fuji happily skipped over the reasons of why Ryoga told him specifically.

Tezuka's eyes widened in surprise. "Split personality? How– "

Syuusuke decided it wasn't his place to say. "I don't know exactly, but his other personality is supposed to be rather violent, so…" Tezuka nodded in understanding. He helped Syuusuke straighten Ryoma on the bed and they left, an awkward silence settling between them.

For Tezuka, his thoughts were clouded with worry over his boyfriend's traumatic experience, jealousy that he wasn't the one doing it, and anger at Ryoma for whatever the heck was going on that he still had no explanation for.

For Fuji, on the other hand, he was frustrated, hurt, and confused. He felt somewhat betrayed that Ryoma would attack him, even though he knew it was Ai, but he also felt guilty because he betrayed Kunimitsu by enjoying it. The pleasure that had coursed through his body was no lie and it wasn't the sort of thing that Tezuka had ever caused in him either. Did that mean he was being unfaithful to Tezuka? But he wasn't doing it on purpose. He loved Tezuka, really he did, but… He groaned softly in defeat. If he really loved Kunimitsu like he used to then there would be no 'but'. So, did that mean he liked Ryoma now? Surely he wasn't that fickle…was he?

--

Golden eyes blinked open slowly and looked around. Jeez, he was in the hospital…again. He turned on his side, ignoring the IV needle stuck into his wrist, and glanced at the space next to the bed. Images flashed through his mind, of blue eyes, of soft lips, and most of all, of a beautiful deep voice that rumbled in the owner's throat in a low moan.

Ryoma bit his lip and flipped back over. What the hell was happening to him? Why couldn't life just leave him alone and understand that he wanted his boring old routine back? Surely it wasn't that hard to comprehend. But…well, whatever was happening, he couldn't say that it was all bad. Now, why was it he felt guilty when thinking that?