A/N Here I am again, after a very very very long period of not writing I finally uploaded the next chapter. I went on a two week trip to South Vietnam. After that my computer plus internet didn't work anymore. The laptop I used to work with has decided to slow down and almost die on me. When I finally fixed my pc my introduction-week of University started so I just came back this week. Totally exhausted of course. But enough of those excuses. Even though it's in the middle of the night and I have to wake up at six to catch the train for my first day at Uni, I still think of my dear readers who I hope haven't forgotten me. Enjoy! :-)

Chapter 09

For the next thirty minutes the only things that could be heard in the kitchen were the scrapings of knifes on the plates and the chewing in between. Niou occasionally glanced at Marui, but the said person was just sitting their, completely focussed on his meal. It wasn't right, best friends shouldn't just ignore each other.

"Come on you two. You've been sitting here long enough in silence. It is starting to work on my nerves". The sudden noise of the women's voice startled both of them. The looked up in the direction of the sound and saw the mother standing in the doorway. She was wearing an apron and in her hand she held a dish brush.

"I want to clean the table, but I can't do that if you two decide to stay there for another hour". She walked to the sink to get some hot water. "I know that you need a quiet place where you can talk out whatever is going on, so I suggest you go to the backyard. It's nice up there and no one will listen in on whatever you've got to tell each other".

She started to gather the plates and the cups and bring them to the sink. With her head she mentioned for them to leave. Right at the moment Marui wanted to close the door behind them, she mentioned: "Were going to visit Shusuke this afternoon, you can come with us if you want". Marui didn't say anything, but just closed the door behind him.

The air felt fresh and crisp in the morning. Niou figured it must have had something to do with the rain that fell last night. They walked for a bit. Not because they wanted to, but because it would keep the inevitable talk away from them for as long as possible.

Eventually they halted at the koi pond that was located in the back of the garden. There they settled on a bench and fell into a rather awkward silence. Marui kept his head low and fiddled with his fingers. Niou just glanced around. He wanted to say something, but for the first time in many years, he didn't know where to start.

Niou coughed. "Marui, I'm sorry. You know I am". He searched Marui's face for sign of forgiveness. "I am sorry I spoiled you're secret. I shouldn't have done that. But I understand what you going through. I really-". Niou was cut short by a hand that held his mouth closed. "You think that you know what I'm going through. The pain of constantly seeing the one you love, but not being able to hold him. To see him suffer, but not being able to lift that burden, to ease his pain." Tears were starting to form in the corners of his eyes. "You say you understand, but you don't. You don't know a thing about me and what I'm going through. So don't tell me otherwise!"

Marui turned around to walk back to the house, but this time it was Niou who stopped him right in his tracks. When Marui saw his eyes, he saw anger, sadness and resignation. "You say I don't understand, because you don't know. You don't know the secret I have trying to keep for three years know. So I don't blame you for you're ignorance." He let go of Marui's wrist and settled down once again.

His eyes stared over the koi pond. Marui carefully sat down beside him. "Could you tell me what's been bothering you for the past three years?", Marui asked carefully. He didn't want Niou to blow up at him again. "I guess I should. I still owe you a story". For a few moments Niou kept quiet, but he then started to speak.

"I'm in love, you know. For three years now. I have tried to deny it, to forget it or just get over it. But every time I see that person I have to be careful not to stutter, not to blush and to make sure it was never noticed how far I had gone." Niou held his head down, but Marui was sure he had seen a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"Before middle school I actually was a much more reserved kid. At least a lot more polite then I am now. But I guess I wanted that person to notice me. To make sure that he knew of my existence.". Marui set right up. "Wait, that HE knew? The infamous Niou Masaharu has got a crush on a guy. Oh please don't tell me it's Yagyuu, that would make me feel stupid".

Niou stared at him with an incredulous look upon his face. "It would make you feel stupid? How?". "Well you know, you two are doubles partners and you switch all the time. You know him, he knows you. It's not that weird. Take those two from Seigaku for example or the horny bastards from Hyotei. They play doubles on and off the he was you're crush and I didn't know I would feel stupid, because it's so obvious. That's not very genius-ish."

"But that doesn't mean we are. Yagyuu has a girlfriend and my priorities are with someone else. By the way, that last word doesn't exist." Niou could pull his hair out of his head from frustration, but he restrained himself. Marui could be such a pain in the ass sometimes. But at the same time, it was what kept him sane.

"So you fell in love with a guy and you wanted him to notice you. So all these years you pranked us, it was for that cause?" Marui couldn't beleave it. He remembered everyone of them. Every trick and prank he was the victim off. It all had a reason. "And? Did it actually work?". Niou looked up into the questioning face of Marui. "I'm afraid not. He never looked so happy with what I did, but it was the best I could come up with."

"You know what. I help you out and you help me out. We will be each other's cupids." Marui through an encouraging smile at Niou. "It can't be that difficult, right? So who is the 'unlucky' guy who toke you're heart away?".

Niou could do nothing but smile back. "I'll tell you, but you're not gonna like it".

A/N And now we still don't know who Niou crushes. you'll find out in the next chapter, I promise. Hope you liked it. Virtual hugs and cookies for those who guess right.
R&R