Disclaimer: I just realized I've never said this but I've always thought it was rather obvious. I don't own Prince of Tennis. Though the person who does dated my mother in college. She dumped him for an English foreigner who, subsequently, became my father. Funny how life works out, isn't it? My mother is so dumb.

Author's Note: It's getting harder and harder to write this. Not for lack of ideas, more like too many ideas running around in my head at once. But I shall push on for the love of the Thrill! Please review. Reviews keep me motivated and you get to read more sooner. So, without further ado…

Chapter Seven: The Arrival of the Storm

The picture was faded. It looked as if it had been looked at one too many times, held close one too many times, as if too many tear drops had fallen on it. It was black and white, which only made it look older than it already was. It had outlived its value. The naïve children in the picture no longer existed. They were no longer relevant. The round faced boy with the shy smile and the goofy, spiky haired youth whose arm was slung around his shoulder….they were just memories now.

That's what Eiji told himself. It was the only way he could bring himself to throw it away.

So why were his hands still shaking? Why, after ten solid minutes of standing over the trash can, couldn't he pry his fingers lose from the small scrap of paper?

Let go of it. It doesn't mean anything now. Eiji…let go!

For the hundredth time that night, tears splattered down his face. They trailed a messy path down and landed on his shirt front. Eiji squeezed his eyes shut tight, but the tears leaked out still.

Eiji…you have to stop this…you can't go on like this…you have to let it go…you have to let him go. Please…

His grip on the picture slackened. He couldn't bring himself to open his eyes.

Let him go…

The picture slipped from his grasp.

He stood there for several moments, eyes closed, hands limp at his side. He stood there until the light peeked through the curtains and his mother called up the stairs, informing him that he was going to be late for school.

Only then did he open his eyes. There was neither anger nor sadness in them. There was no bitterness. They were filled with a gentle sweetness that he drew from deep inside himself, a reservoir of past joy that he hadn't even known he possessed.

It didn't make everything right again.

But it was enough. If only because it had to be.

And for the last time he let himself think those forbidden words.

I love you, Oishi…more than life itself.

And then he let it go.

*********************************

For the first time in his life, Echizen Ryoma slept through a thunderstorm.

Because for the first time in his life he had found something that frightened him more than crashing thunder and howling winds. Like thunder, there was no hiding from this. No matter where he ran, no matter how tightly he jammed his hands over his ears, no matter how fervently he denied his fear…it was always there.

In a way, it was worse than thunder. Thunder stopped. Eventually, no matter how terrifying a storm might be, it always stopped. But this…

Night or day, rain or shine…this was always there.

Because loving Fuji wasn't like a storm. It didn't pass. It stayed with him every moment, every bloody second of every day.

He could hate it. He could deny it, ignore it, condemn it, come up with a thousand reasons why he shouldn't. Why it was wrong.

But he couldn't change it. And that was why it terrified him like nothing else could.

And so he sat up at five thirty a.m., staring at the lightening sky through his window. The gray storm clouds from last night still lingered just above the horizon, framing the pale rose sunrise. It was odd looking. The sun and the storm clouds. Two things that by law, by nature, didn't belong together.

The glass was cold against his forehead, almost painfully so, but he let it rest there anyway. It soothed the pounding headache that had plagued him for hours. That's what he got for standing in the rain and sleeping in soaking wet clothes. He was lucky he didn't have pneumonia.

Though, he would've almost preferred it if he had gotten sick. At least then he'd have an excuse to blow off school…and this ridiculous party. A legitimate excuse.

Because explaining to the other regulars that he was in love with Fuji, and therefore couldn't stand to be around him, was not exactly at the top of his To Do List.

Actually, it wasn't even on his To Do List. It was possibly as far from his To Do List as anything could get.

What if Fuji found out? What if Fuji found out just how right he'd been?

The tight knot that had formed in Ryoma's belly twisted sharply and a dry groan slipped out.

God damn it! Why am I being such a fucking girl about all of this? I'm not "in love". That's ridiculous. I can't be in love with another guy. Especially not Fuji! Especially not Fuji! I don't even like the bastard!

The acidic knot only tightened in protest, and a bitter taste filled Ryoma's mouth. Right now, he was silently grateful that he hadn't eaten anything. It probably would've been all over the floor.

At a loss, Ryoma pressed his head harder against the glass. The headache didn't falter; if anything it increased its pounding. The pressure was right against his temples and suddenly the dim light streaming in only made it worse. He let his golden eyes drift shut, pressing his palms against the windowsill and trying with all his might to block everything out.

The pain numbed slightly, but despite it all, his thoughts wandered back to the only thing that seemed to interest them anymore.

Fuji.

Okay, now just think about this logically. I can't…

Ryoma's breath hitched and his emotional barriers became to scream in defiance. He ignored them. They were pretty much useless now anyway.

I can't ignore this forever. It will drive me insane…he will drive me insane. I have to face him…

He drew a deep, shuddering breath and opened his eyes.

Something inside of him, the recently shattered remains of his previous self, began to put themselves, inch by inch, back together. He still wasn't himself. He probably would never be that Ryoma again.

But that didn't mean he couldn't live on. It didn't mean that he wasn't Ryoma anymore. He was just…different.

Whether for better or worse, only time would tell. But one thing was certain…and slowly, agonizingly so, Ryoma's lips formed the silent proclamation.

"I'm in love with you, Fuji Syusuke…"

He stood still for several moments, unable to comprehend his own words. So now it was true.

Now there was no going back.

****************************************************************

No one looked at him when he walked in. That was the first sign that something was terribly wrong. The girls were off the one side of the classroom, twittering about some American celebrities. That was to be expected. The rest of the boys were grouped off in their own little groups, sitting on desks and arguing about various sports teams.

But Fuji didn't get up to greet him. He didn't raise a hand in welcome, hell, he didn't even look up. In fact, none of the regulars were even there. Inui, Fuji, and Taka were all conspicuously missing.

Eiji frowned and glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes until class started. The others should've been there by now.

Biting his lip nervously, he tossed his bag on the floor beneath his desk and sat down, twiddling his thumbs and wishing that Fuji would arrive.

Fuji's presence was the only thing holding him together anymore. As pathetic as it was, he had always depended on other people. Oishi and Fuji primarily…and to some degree, Ryoma and Momoshiro as well. For all his happy, bouncy, go lucky ways, he was hopelessly dependent on those he cared for.

"Oy, Kikimaru-kun!"

Startled, Eiji's head shot up and he found himself staring into pretty green eyes. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he recognized the speaker as Toudou Sachiko, his long time classmate and resident "hottie".

She smiled at him with dazzling white teeth, pink lip gloss glinting.

"Toudou-san…"

She tossed her bouncy black curls over her shoulder and waved a hand, smile never faltering.

"Call me Sachiko."

Eiji tried not to frown. He really didn't feel like having a conversation with her right now…or anyone, for that matter. But especially not her. Sachiko had a reputation for being a notorious gossip and in his three years of knowing her, they hadn't really said much to each other. Her motives for talking to him now…frankly, he was doubtful.

"Alright." He muttered, trying not to flinch under the brightness of her smile. It was almost frightening.

"So…Eiji-kun…can I call you Eiji-kun?"

"Um…yeah…we've been in the same class for three years so…"

"Have we?" Sachiko frowned for a moment, and then her smile only widened. "Of course we have, Eiji-kun! I've always thought you were so funny!"

It took everything Eiji had not to slam his head on the table. There was a reason he didn't like girls. And right now, Sachiko was case and point.

"Um…thanks."

The black haired girl twittered, and Eiji felt something sharp and painful permeate the layer around his brain.

It's not like he had a reputation for being the quiet, thoughtful type…quite the opposite in fact. Many of his classmates found his loud ways lovably annoying…key word being lovably. But this…the only reason anyone would put up with this girl was to get in her pants. And as Eiji had no interest in what lay beneath her bright red panties, (yes, he could see them…he was fairly sure that the skirt had been pulled up several inches) he felt no real inclination to deal with her.

"Um…sorry to be rude, Sachiko-chan, but I must excuse myself…tennis club business, you know…"

The girl's bright eyes flashed and her smile grew semi-feral. "Oh, tennis club business…I think that's so cool…I wish I were a regular. That would be so awesome…but wait, the tennis club is having some problems right now, isn't it?"

She feigned some concern at the end, and stuck out her lip in a pout that was anything but cute.

Irritation pricked at him. So he was right. She wanted to be the first one with the juicy scoop on why the famous Golden Pair wouldn't even speak to each other.

"No. Not really." He snapped, rising in one fluid motion. He stood a few centimeters taller than she did and she took a step back, fake concern wavering.

"Oh….well, it's just…I saw you and Oishi-san arguing the other day…from the girl's bathroom window and I was worried about you, Eiji-kun…"

Eiji's blood pressure rose instantly and he couldn't contain the soft snarl that escaped from the back of his throat. The emotions from the other day were still raw and fresh, and the healing he'd achieved this morning could do nothing for him when he had his past escapades shoved in his face.

"That," he ground out, face coloring, "Is absolutely none of your goddamn business."

Sachiko's mouth dropped open and she spluttered like a fish. She'd never seen this side of him before, that was clear.

"Eiji-kun…don't be so mean…I only want to help you…if you wanted me to talk to Oishi-san for you I-."

"Sachiko."

The girl froze mid-sentence, lip gloss outlined mouth snapping shut. Eiji didn't need to turn to see that Fuji was behind him.

Sachiko's face colored until it matched her panties. "Fuji-sama…I didn't know you were here."

"I just arrived." His voice was cool and casual, but the aura he was emitting was anything but friendly.

Sachiko seemed not get the hint. Either that, or she was so blindly in love with Fuji that she had deluded herself into thinking that she was some kind of exception. No such luck.

"Fuji-sama, I was just trying to talk to Eiji-kun here about conflict resolution…after all I can be very…useful..." The girl was practically purring.

The badly concealed sexual innuendo didn't seem to phase Fuji one bit. Eiji could feel the shorter boy's disdain seeping into the air, though she didn't seem to notice.

"Is that so? Well, perhaps you could be useful some other time."

Eiji felt Fuji's iron grip encircle his arm, and he didn't struggle when he was all but bodily dragged out of the classroom. He could still hear Sachiko whimpering behind him.

When they entered the hall way, Fuji's grip slackened, but he didn't release it. He turned to look at his red headed companion, eyes open and startlingly lovely.

He really was beautiful. Eiji couldn't help but grin.

"Thanks, Fujiko-chan."

Fuji laughed a soft, tinkling laugh that filled Eiji's heart with warmth. For reasons he'd never be able to explain, he leaned forward and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to Fuji's rosy lips.

He felt Fuji stiffen for a split second, before smiling into the kiss, and then finally, after a few seconds, pulling away.

"Eiji…unless you want to out us both, very, very publicly, you might not want kiss me in school." Fuji's gentle reprimand lacked any real bite, and his tell tale grin gave him away. He wasn't the least bit upset.

Eiji blushed softly, but he couldn't bring himself to feel guilty. Something inside of him was singing with joy, and he felt strangely light. To give love and to receive love in return was something he'd all but given up on…and even if his love for Fuji was platonic, it was still incredibly precious. And there was nothing wrong with kissing him. He was beautiful and Eiji loved him. Kisses were simply a convenient way to say things when he couldn't find the words.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled, without any real sincerity.

Fuji's grin only widened. "Anyway, Eiji…I came to get you."

Eiji blinked. "Huh?"

"That's the problem with missing school. You miss things." The brown haired tensai's tease was highly amused.

Eiji glared at his teammate and stuck his lip out in a truly adorable pout. It was tried and true, and sure enough, Fuji relented.

"There's an emergency meeting club meeting right now. Actually, you're late but I just realized I forgot to tell you. Tezuka sent me to come get you."

The acrobat felt a lump form in his throat. "We have to play tennis? Right now?"

Fuji did what he always did, and read between the lines to understand Eiji's real question: I have to play tennis with Oishi?

"No tennis, Eiji. It's strictly a logistics meeting." He was using the same gentle voice he always used when he spoke to his red haired counterpart, the voice that most never got to hear.

Comforted and still riding the high from the kiss, the acrobat felt his heart beat return to normal. "Oh. Okay…well, I guess we should go then…what classroom is it in?"

Fuji's lips twitched upward. "The roof. All the classrooms are being used. Sometimes that happens during school hours."

"Nya, Fujiko-chan! You're so mean to me!"

The tensai's lips twitched yet again, but he said nothing and proceeded to walk towards the stair case.

Eiji stuck out his tongue at his best friend's back, but as always, followed the only person who'd never left him.

***************************************************************

If life had taught Ryoma anything, it was to avoid unnecessary situations. This club meeting would be a prime example. The morning air was crisp and the roof was still damp and musty from yesterday's downpour. The tension in the air was palpable, and even the innocent bystanders could feel it. Kaidoh hissed nervously, and Momoshiro threw a half hearted jibe at him. It was so pathetic that the viper didn't even bother to respond.

Even Tezuka seemed apprehensive. He stood at nexus of the impromptu semi circle the Seigaku regulars had formed and fiddled with his glasses.

Ryoma was incredibly aware of the fact that Fuji had chosen to stand directly behind him and he could feel the older boy's intoxicating breath against the back of his head. Ryoma shivered every few seconds, though he knew that Fuji was the only one who noticed. He could hear his estranged love interest chuckling softly. He was beyond caring that his body betrayed him whenever someone so much as uttered Fuji's name. That part, reluctant as he was to admit it, was beyond his control. All he could do now was keep his head above water…all he could do now was refuse to play the tensai's game.

Kikimaru stood to his left, bouncing up and down on his the soles of his feet and gnawing on his already well worn lips.

Taka, Inui and Oishi were huddled together against the morning chill on the opposite side of the circle. Oishi shot a furtive glance to his doubles partner every few seconds, as if unsure whether or not it was safe to look.

Eiji didn't look back, though Ryoma was sure he felt his partner's gaze upon him. He was still unclear as to what went on between the two of them, but he was fairly certain that it had little or nothing to do with tennis.

Finally, the captain cleared his throat and spoke to the eight regulars before him.

"Seigaku, as you know, is dangerously close to the National Tournament. I thought that we were well enough prepared. But recent events have served to make me doubtful."

No one moved an inch. Breathing seemed to have ceased completely. The only sound was the whistling of the wind and the soft patter of dew falling from the fence.

"I should say right now that I'm not only referring to the recent decline in the quality of play, though that is part of it. The mental and emotional state of this team, believe it or not, is also my concern."

A bird trilled somewhere in the distance, but no one seemed to notice. All eyes were on Tezuka. Brown, green, purple, black, blue and dazzling gold.

"Oishi, Kikimaru."

Oishi stiffened instantly, and Eiji's bouncing ceased.

"You two have been a particular concern of mine…of everyone's." Tezuka's voice softened and Ryoma felt something stir within him. A forgotten admiration for his captain that Fuji had managed to overshadow.

Kawamura nodded anxiously, knotting his hands. "Tezuka-buchou is right…every one has been really worried about you two. You're game has been off for weeks now and after yesterday …"

For the first time, Ryoma noticed the mottled purple bruise adorning Oishi's right cheek. His golden eyes darted to Kikimaru, who was staring very pointedly at the ground.

Inui spoke up. "There is a ninety-two percent chance that if you two don't resolve your personal conflict, then your chance of victory is…well, actually, it's just not going to happen."

Tezuka cleared his throat and all fell silent.

"What everyone is trying to say…is that all of us are concerned for you. Both of you. And this isn't just a personal matter anymore, Fuji, so you might as well stop looking at me like that. This affects all of us. The team as a whole. Your combination was an essential part of our strategy and if it isn't going to work, then I need to know now. Because this can not continue." There was steel in the captain's voice.

Eiji was the first to respond. His voice was a whisper, but it was strong enough to be heard.

"It isn't going to work. It has nothing to do with personal problems anymore. There's nothing more for us to discuss."

Oishi looked as if someone had slapped him across the face. His mouth hung open slightly and his olive eyes were blank.

Tezuka turned to him. "Oishi…is this true? Is there really no way that your combination can work again?"

Ryoma could scarcely believe what he was hearing. Was this for real? Was Tezuka seriously offering to break up the Golden Pair? Despite everything they'd been through…was this really the end?

Oishi swallowed and cast his eyes towards Kikimaru, searching desperately for something, anything, some sign that he didn't have to do this. That he didn't have to be the one to say "It's over."

He looked hard and deep into Eiji's dark orbs and the red head met his gaze. Something happened between them then, something that Ryoma would never understand. But when Oishi broke the gaze, something in his face was broken.

"He's my best friend…" he whispered softly, voice unreadable. "But..." he hesitated, as if he hoped that Kikimaru would interrupt him, would cut him off with a gleeful laugh and a boyish grin and proclaim that the entire thing had been a joke and that everything would be alright…but nothing came.

And the silence that did come said all that needed to be said.

Ryoma couldn't bear to look at the boy next to him. Something inside of him clenched and released, over and over again, until it hurt.

No one spoke. The silence was somber, almost mournful. It was as if everyone was saying goodbye to something precious…something that had been a part of who they were as a team, as very individuals, and something that none of them would ever find again.

Finally, Tezuka broke the quiet.

"Very well then. Inui and Kaidoh, you are now Doubles 1."

The data specialist and the viper nodded, but there was no triumph in their eyes.

"As for Doubles 2…Kikimaru, Momoshiro…you two will partner together."

Momo nodded, purple eyes dull and lifeless. Eiji remained still.

"As for Singles…I will remain Singles 1, unless anyone has any objections."

Silence.

"Fuji, Singles 2. Echizen, Singles 3. Oishi and Taka…you two are reserve doubles. Practice your combination and don't slack. In the event of emergency, Momoshiro is Singles 3 and Oishi, you will play with Kikimaru, whether you want to or not. Is that clear?"

The soft chorus of affirmative answers did nothing to wipe the scowl off of Tezuka's face. He sighed and ran a hand through his spiky locks.

"All of you…I worry so very much for all of you." His voice was tired and hollow, and for the first time, Ryoma thought the captain looked…human. "Remember what I said. Dismissed."

Tezuka was the first one to leave. His footsteps echoed and Ryoma felt as if something had changed between them…between all of them. Forever.

Inui and Kaidoh followed soon after, and Taka drifted off not long after that. Momoshiro patted the top of Ryoma's head once, gave a sad smile, and then he was gone as well.

Oishi stood as if rooted to the spot, olive eyes wide and staring. Ryoma knew that he wasn't really seeing anything.

Sighing bitterly, he moved as if to walk away, but a delicate yet oddly firm grip on his shoulder stopped him.

"Wait." Fuji whispered. "This is something you should see."

Ryoma's body, as always, complied, and he remained still. Fuji's hand on his shoulder was oddly comforting and for the first time, being near him felt almost…right.

Eiji broke the quiet with his high pitched, upbeat sing song voice.

"Ja, I'm going back now. Coming, Fuji?"

For the first time since the destruction of the Golden Pair, something seemed to click for Oishi. He raised his head, face pale and drawn, and took a tentative step forward.

"Eiji."

The red head ignored him. "Fuji, we're gonna be late…and what kind of influence is that for ochibi? We're going to get him in trouble too."

Fuji didn't respond. Ryoma turned wide golden eyes up to met his senpai's blue gaze. Those eyes right now…they were only for him.

Oishi didn't seem to care that the other two were standing there. He marched up to his former doubles partner and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him forward and forcing the red head to meet his gaze.

"Eiji!" Oishi's voice cracked, but he didn't loosen his grip.

Kikimaru's dark eyes flashed dangerously and he jerked backward, hard. "Let go of me."

Oishi swallowed hard and his olive eyes swam with tears. "No. I'm not letting you go. I'm not letting it end this way."

The sheer heartbreak in Oishi's voice shattered whatever was left of Ryoma's emotional barrier, and he felt a crushing sadness wash over him.

So this was what Fuji wanted him to see. For whatever reason…this was the image that was forever burned into his mind.

"Let go of me, you asshole!" Eiji yanked harder, but Oishi only followed him forward, tightening his grip.

"No!" Oishi's desperation was evident, and Eiji's anger was raw. Neither was relenting.

"Oishi! Stop it!"

"You stop it! Stop running away from me! Stop giving up on this-on us!"

"On us?" Eiji's voice dropped to a deadly whisper and it sent icy chills up Ryoma's spine. "On us?! What the hell are you talking about you son of a bitch?! There is no us! There never was!"

Oishi flinched visibly, tears standing at the corners of his eyes, ready and waiting to fall.

"That isn't true, Eiji…you don't mean that…it isn't true…"

"Shut the fuck up! How dare you accuse me of running away?! You were the one who said you didn't want this! You were the one who said that this- that I- meant absolutely nothing to you! You're the one who's running away! Face it Oishi, you wanted this! You wanted an excuse to forget me!"

The tears that Oishi had managed to hold back slipped down his round face, and he began to sob, dry sobs that rocked his body.

"Aw, are you crying, Oishi?" Eiji's voice grew cruelly mocking, and Ryoma could hardly believe that the boy standing before him was the same person. "Are you crying? Aw, poor baby? Does the baby need his dick sucked? Maybe then he'll stop crying?"

He turned to Fuji, eyes hysterical, shaking with insane laughter. "What do you think, Fuji? Ochibi? Do you think that he'll stop crying if I suck his dick again? Do you think he'd like that?"

Ryoma's heart slammed painfully against his rib cage and the world around him began to spin. This wasn't real. His senpai hadn't just said that. Seigaku's vice captain wasn't sobbing pitifully, mumbling incomprehensible pleas. It just couldn't be happening. It couldn't.

"Eiji…please…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry I said those things…I didn't mean them…I didn't…I need you, Eiji…please…oh, god, please…"

When Eiji spoke the mocking tone was back, but the bitterness in it had abated slightly. Sadness and disdain had replaced it.

"You need me? No, Oishi, you don't need me. You need some pretty little girl who won't mind getting stepped on, used, and then thrown in the trash can like a worthless piece of garbage. You need me to forgive you so you can stop feeling guilty. You need me to say it's alright. That's the only thing you need from me, Oishi. You were right. It was a mistake. "

Oishi could barely speak through his sobs and his grasp on Eiji's shoulders had all but disappeared completely.

"N-no, it isn't true…it isn't t-true, Eiji…I- I-…I don't think y-your worthless…I- l-love you, Eiji…I w-want you to stay with me…please, Eiji, please!"

Eiji pulled out of Oishi's grasp. The taller boy lost his balance and pitched forward, falling to his knees with a thud.

"No."

And then Oishi curled up into a ball and wailed his anguish to the morning sky.

Ryoma couldn't take it. Everything that had happened in the past few days came rushing up to meet him and he broke away from Fuji and ran towards the stair case, feet slipping, and stomach rising out of his chest.

He barely made it back to the ground before he lost it. Soft, warm hands held back his long black tresses as he shared his pain with the pavement.

Breathing hard, he took the handkerchief that he was offered and wiped his mouth, head reeling and stomach threatening to empty itself yet again.

Fuji's soft voice filled his ears, and his stomach calmed. Bitter tears gathered at the back of Ryoma's eyes, but after a few seconds they faded. He couldn't cry now. He wouldn't cry now.

"Ryoma…"

The use of his first name barely registered.

"Ryoma, I'm sorry…I'm sorry that I forced you to watch that…"

Another voice, this one higher and raspier, came next. "Ochibi…"

Kikimaru-senpai.

"I'm sorry too. I…" Eiji struggled for words, before falling silent. It was Fuji who brought them both back down to earth.

"Ryoma. You're not going to go back to class today, alright?"

"Alright…" he whispered, hating the acidic taste of sick that filled his mouth.

"The three of us are going to go get a burger. And then we're going to go back to my place, alright? My parents are out of town."

When Fuji received no answer, he gently raised Ryoma's head with one finger, blue eyes open and soft.

"Alright?"

And then, despite everything that had happened, Ryoma felt right. Not okay. But right.

"…Okay."

Eiji chorused his agreement and Fuji smiled softly, that gorgeous, perfect smile of his. Ryoma realized then, all at once, that when Fuji smiled, really smiled, it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

And when Fuji intertwined his soft, pale hands with his, Ryoma didn't pull away. He simply caught Kikimaru by the wrist as if that were the only logical thing to do.

And then Fuji led them, both of them, into the light.

*************************************************************************

Author's Note: I do hope that you enjoyed that. Now, this is for the numerous people who have asked why the Japanese girl does not put any Japanese in her stories: because, darlings, I either write all in English or all in Japanese. I can't stand to flip between the two, it bothers me. Sorry to disappoint. I hope you liked the chapter. Next time…Revelations. There is still so much that needs to be said…