Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of its chars. I only own my plot.

Warning: Shonen-ai fic, Mpreg

Pairings: Inui X Yanagi, Sanada X Yukimura

To the story then…

Data Tales

By: Gwynhafra86

Chapter 4

It was the last day of practice. As was customary, the captain announced the new captain and vice-captain for the next year.

"For the position of captain, I have appointed Tezuka Kunimitsu to succeed my place. He has shown great leadership during his time as vice-captain, and I have confidence that he will lead the club well. Show him the same support as you have shown me." The captain gave his speech.

There was a round of applause. Tezuka, who was standing next to the captain, gave a slight bow to the club members.

The captain waited for the applause to die down before he continued on. "For the position of vice-captain, Ryusaki-sensei and I have agreed that Oishi Shuichirou is most suitable for this."

"Huh? Me?" A shocked Oishi gaped, even as his doubles partner Kikumaru gave a loud cheer and clapped him on the back. Oishi grinned sheepishly as the club members applauded him. "Are you sure about this? Am I really fit to be vice-captain?" He asked uncertainly.

"You'll be fine, Oishi. Relax, relax." Kikumaru chirped.

"I have calculated an 83 percent chance that you will be selected as vice-captain. Congratulations." Inui breathed down the recently dubbed Golden Pair's neck, causing both of them to give a yelp. Oishi gave Tezuka an apologetic look when the former vice-captain threw a stern gaze in his direction, displeased with the sound.

The newly appointed captain and vice-captain were later asked to give a speech. Tezuka's was strong. He spoke, of course, of the Nationals as Seigaku's goal. Oishi too mentioned the Nationals, though he had not so subtly hinted that he was concerned with the club members' wellbeing, and if anyone was having troubles, they could always talk to him.

Inui smiled slightly as he jotted everything down into his notebook. Everything seemed so normal now. It was as if whatever that happened a month ago was nothing but a dream…

XXX

Initially, when Yanagi went missing again, Inui had searched high and low for any news of his friend. Just like what had happened a few years back, no one knew of Yanagi's actual location. After doing some scouting in Rikkai Dai, he heard news that his friend had been transferred temporarily to a school in America for a student exchange programme, and had moved out of his dorms completely. Inui verified this data, and found out that the school authorities had indeed received the necessary documents for Yanagi's transfer.

However, Inui didn't buy the news. There was just something fishy about the whole arrangement. For one, why would there be a student exchange programme scheduled all the way at the end of the year, and secondly, why did it continue on to the following year too? He had yet to come across a student exchange programme covering so many months.

The first person he confronted was Sanada. If there was anyone who would know of Yanagi's whereabouts, it would be the other two Rikkai demons. Sanada stubbornly gave nothing away, and the argument would have gotten ugly if Yukimura hadn't intervened.

The blue-haired beauty laid a hand on Sanada's arm, calming him down. After that, the gentler of the two demons turned to Inui with a sympathetic gaze.

"I'm sorry, Inui-san. Even we have not been in contact with Renji because he's in America now." He said softly.

Yukimura…was a very bad liar. Either that or he hated lying. After he had said that statement, he couldn't meet Inui in the eye for the rest of the day. Inui had to suppress a bitter laugh at that. If they had been intending to con a data master then Sanada should have done the talking. That guy would have been able to pull it off with his poker face.

Still, Yukimura probably meant no harm, and was bound by loyalty to his friend. Inui felt bad to push him any further, so he dropped the subject.

XXX

Inui made his way to the clubroom. Most of the members have left by now, and eventually he was the only one who remained. He was seated on the bench, writing into his notebook as he recalled the day's activities.

The door opened again. Tezuka walked in, always being amongst the last to leave since he had to supervise the cleaning up of the courts. The Seigaku captain moved to the shelves and retrieved his school uniform before proceeding to change out of his sportswear.

"Inui. Your tennis is getting monotonous recently." The Seigaku captain remarked.

Inui glanced up from his notebook. A normal person would have just said that Inui looked down recently, but not a tennis freak like Tezuka. That guy was hardly emphatic, so he had to make it up with his strong tennis sense instead.

"Aa. I'm sorry, Tezuka." Inui apologized.

Tezuka said nothing for a while as he buckled his belt. After straightening his collar, the brunette turned around and faced him.

"Concentrate on the matches ahead of you. Even if you brood over it, your friend won't return immediately anyway. He will only be gone for a few months, and will be back once the programme ends." Tezuka's gaze was serious, though according to Inui's calculations, his light brown eyes looked a little sympathetic.

Studying Tezuka's (lack of) expression, Inui wondered if he should correct Tezuka on that. Yanagi most certainly wasn't in another country, and this whole programme was probably a farce too. By the looks of it, Tezuka was completely deceived by this lie.

He decided a little ignorance shouldn't hurt Tezuka, and watched as the brunette left the clubroom. Inui wished he were as gullible as Tezuka. At least then he would be able to take the news as it was, and wait for Yanagi's return just like the others did. A pity though, that data masters were just too perceptive.

XXX

The days passed by, and there was still no news from Yanagi. The idea of the Rikkai data master being in America did sound very convincing now. It was drawing closer to Christmas, and Inui busied himself with data collecting in order to forget about his friend, even if only temporarily. This was Inui's favourite time of the year, since this was the time data was abundant. He prowled the streets to gather information on who was doing what part-time job to buy presents for whom, and he could also gather data on what were the presents bought while he was at it.

It looked like there would be a light snowfall this year. Snow was rare in Tokyo for years, and Inui was glad for the change. He held out a hand as tiny, almost transparent flakes descended from the sky, and he caught a tiny bit of ice, which melted instantly upon contact with his palm. Drawing his jacket tighter around himself, Inui adjusted his glasses and tightened his hold on his notebook. There was no time to waste. To work!

His pen flew as he noted all the couples he came across. He spotted Fuji in one of the chocolate shops, and the non-regular Kawamura Takashi was with him. Fuji seemed to be asking for the latter's opinion on what to buy, and for some reason Kawamura was blushing, probably because Fuji tugged him by the hand over to the chocolates on display. Was that enough to make someone blush? Good data.

In another shop, Inui spotted Momoshiro and Kaidou arguing over a new pair of shoes, but he took no notice of it. This wasn't good data since it was old data. Those two were always fighting anyway. Looking around, Inui decided that he should call it a day and head for home when he spotted Tezuka leaving a bakery. What was surprising was that Hyotei's Atobe was with him. Atobe engaged Tezuka in a one-sided conversation (one-sided in the sense that Atobe was doing all the talking) and while Tezuka didn't seem impressed, he nodded once in a while in response to whatever Atobe was boasting about. The two walked off, heading over to another shop, and Inui would have trailed after them if he hadn't caught sight of Sanada and Yukimura leaving the same bakery too.

Inui instantly switched his target to the Rikkai demons. The two were walking home together, looking like they were on a date. Both were dressed in casual wear. Sanada had, at some point, draped a scarf around Yukimura's neck, and that earned him a smile from the blue-haired boy.

Inui kept them both within hearing range, putting all his scouting skills to use. The two were engrossed in a conversation regarding Yukimura's current condition, and Sanada didn't seem to like the idea of Yukimura walking around in the cold like this.

"You're going to catch a cold in this kind of weather, Yukimura. It's not good for your health." Sanada's voice was stern, though his words were similar to the motherhen Oishi's.

Yukimura chuckled. "I'll be alright, Genichirou. I'm stronger than I look."

Sanada frowned. "I'll still worry." He muttered almost quietly.

Yukimura touched his arm lightly. "Sorry to trouble you."

The two continued walking on in silence for a while. Yukimura broke the silence with a soft sigh. "I had just wanted to go see Renji. It's almost Christmas now and I thought it might be a good idea to pop by and give him something. He seems so lonely."

"Aa. Yanagi does seem to be in rather low spirits." Sanada agreed.

Inui's heart thumped. His intuition was correct. These two had kept in contact with Yanagi all along! He followed them more closely now.

"I wish there was more we could do for him." Yukimura sighed again.

Sanada frowned slightly. "He has made this decision to remain on his own…no. It's more accurate to say that he didn't have a choice."

Yukimura's eyes were sad. "I understand that feeling all too well, being forced to stay put at one place while everyone else can do their favourite activities. It's torture…"

Sanada's hand moved instantly, hesitating for a while before grasping Yukimura's hand in a reassuring manner.

Yukimura gave him a smile before leaning in to the touch. For the rest of the journey, they did not speak, as they walked in companionable silence.

XXX

Eventually, the two stopped before a double-storey house. Inui observed as the two knocked before entering. Once they had disappeared inside and closed the door, Inui inched over and pressed his ear to the door, eavesdropping on any conversation inside.

"We're here. Where do we put all these?" Yukimura's voice could be heard.

"Maybe just leave it there, Yukimura." Sanada's voice was next.

"Aa. Just leave it on that table there, Seiichi." A very familiar voice agreed, causing Inui's heart to leap at being able to hear it again.

There was a moment of silence, about 6.8 seconds, to be exact.

"Thank you all for coming all the way here." Yanagi sounded happy.

"It was no trouble. How are you coping, Renji?" Yukimura asked.

"I'm well, thank you for your concern." There were a few clinks at this point. Yanagi was probably serving tea.

The three demons were soon engrossed in conversation. Sanada spoke of Rikkai, and that Yukimura and him were chosen as captain and vice-captain respectively for the next year. Yukimura narrated their Christmas shopping trip, and Yanagi listened, barely giving any input of his own. When he did, he spoke of studies, like he was still schooling when everyone else was already having their holidays. How odd…

While the three were preoccupied, Inui tested the door and found it unlocked. Sanada must have forgotten about it. Satisfied with the discovery, Inui listened on to the conversation.

"How is the little one doing now?" Yukimura asked abruptly.

Yanagi chuckled. "The little one is fine. Oh, and it's starting to kick now. Would you like to feel it?"

Inui frowned. What were they talking about? A rabbit? He visualized Yanagi holding up a bunny for Yukimura to pat it.

"Oh! It is kicking!" Yukimura sounded a little excited. So two of the three demons were rabbit lovers, it seemed.

"Do you have a name for it?" Sanada sounded 5 percent less stern than usual. So all three of the Rikkai demons were rabbit lovers.

"No. It's too early for that." A short pause. "I don't know if I want to be the one to give it a name." Yanagi sounded sad.

Inui frowned. That was a lot of fuss to make over one bunny. How difficult was it to give it a name? Just call it Carrot or something and the problem was solved.

"Don't worry, Yanagi. No matter what it is, the two of us will be here for you." Sanada told him.

"Don't forget the other two too. You are not alone." Yukimura added.

The other two?

"Arigatou, Seiichi, Genichirou. I'm very fortunate to have friends like you." Yanagi sounded a little touched. He gave a sigh. "I do wish Sadaharu were here too though."

Inui decided that he had heard enough. Opening the door, he made his presence known.

"Then why did you leave in the first place?" Inui asked quietly.

All three Rikkai demons were startled. Sanada and Yukimura leapt instantly to their feet, blocking Yanagi from Inui's view.

Yanagi's eyes opened from where he sat behind Sanada. "Sadaharu! What-"

"I'm calculating a 100 percent chance you're wondering what I'm doing here. I could ask you the same thing, Renji." Inui's voice was cold.

He studied the scene before him. There were only the three Rikkai demons, a tea set, and some biscuits which Yukimura had brought. There were no rabbits in sight. There was nothing here which would give Inui a clue as to why Yanagi had left so abruptly, and why the two Rikkai demons would lie to keep Inui away from his friend. Inui hated being confused, since it always got him frustrated. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now!

To add to his confusion, he heard voices approaching.

"Really. You should be awed by my humbleness. Ore-sama doesn't usually do house-visits on peasants." Footsteps could be heard. "Oh, the door's open?"

"Sanada must have gotten careless." A second voice added thoughtfully. This voice made Inui's eyes widen. It couldn't be him!

Moments later, the door swung open, and the two newcomers stood frozen in the doorway when they saw Inui.

"Tezuka…and Hyotei's Atobe…" Inui's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Inui…what are you doing here?" Tezuka was shocked, and while his expression hardly changed, his eyes had widened slightly.

Atobe, on the other hand, turned to Sanada. "What is he doing here?" The Hyotei's vice-captain asked, as if Inui's being here was somehow Sanada's fault.

Several things happened all at once. Sanada lunged at Inui, trying to remove him bodily from the room. Tezuka moved instantly and positioned himself before his fellow Seigaku regular, blocking Sanada. Yukimura grabbed Sanada's hand, holding him back and asking him to stop. Yanagi had stood up and placed a hand on Sanada's shoulder, in a gesture meant both to hold Sanada back as well as to pacify him. As for Atobe…he merely took a few steps back and watched the action without getting involved.

Amidst the chaos, Inui's gaze once more went to his friend…and moved downwards instantly.

Inui stiffened, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. He couldn't possibly be seeing what he was seeing now.

Yanagi looked very different from when they last met. Inui recalled back then, right before Yanagi ran away, he had looked rather slender. Now, however, Yanagi looked like he had swallowed a melon, with his midsection protruding slightly under the loose clothing he wore. Inui hadn't noticed it when he was seated, but it was quite obvious now that he was standing. Inui's mind instantly tried to come up with a logical reason as to why Yanagi was in this condition. There must be an explanation for this! Yanagi must have been putting on weight in the short amount of time Inui hadn't seen him. Yes! That must be it! Inui preferred the term 'fat' to its alternative, for that was completely unthinkable! Definitely not to describe Yanagi or any member of his gender!

Inui continued to gape at his friend, completely baffled. Yanagi met his gaze evenly, his demeanor calm. There was a hint of resignation in his body language, as if he was already expecting a confrontation between them like this eventually.

"Minna, I wish to have a word with Sadaharu." Yanagi spoke up quietly.

Sanada exploded. "I refuse! There is no way I'm leaving you alone with this guy." He was stopped by Yukimura before he could lunge at Inui again.

Tezuka walked over to them. "Let them discuss this. We have hidden this from Inui long enough, and he has the right to know what's going on. After all, they're…friends." The brunette then turned to Inui. "10 minutes. We will be returning after that time. Understood?" Having said that, Tezuka walked out of the house. Atobe followed moments later, giving Inui a neutral look. Sanada had been reluctant to leave, though Yukimura guided him out with a hand on his shoulder. The blue-haired boy exchanged another brief look with Yanagi before leaving.

Before long, only the two data masters remained in the room.

Yanagi began to shift his weight from foot to foot. He seemed to be thinking of how to begin. After a while, Yanagi gestured to a chair. "You might want to sit down first, Sadaharu."

To be continued…

A/N: Before I leave. Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Please Read and Review. No Flames Please

-Gwyn86