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, Tezuka X Echizen hints.

A/N: I had only just realized I had forgotten to give replies to anonymous reviews in the previous chapter. (bonks head) Gomen. Will be answering for chapters 7 and 8.

Lillian, XD. I love your 'when their child is ready for college' phrase. As for when will he find out…ohoho…when their child goes to college, of course. (grins) . Kidding, kidding. You'll see.

Mew, you'll have to read on to find out. Glad you liked the chapters.

Anon, lol. I vote kick him.

To the story then…

Data Tales

By: Gwynhafra86

Chapter 9

Inui gave a sleepy groan when his alarm went off. He fumbled for the device, switched it off and put on his glasses. For a good few minutes, he started when he saw nothing familiar about his surroundings.

It took him a while before he remembered. That was right. He wasn't in his own home anymore.

He washed up quickly and headed out of his room. Apparently Yanagi was awake first, as he had already set breakfast on the table.

"Ah. Sadaharu. Good morning." The brunette greeted even as he bustled about.

"I'll deal with that." A strange surge of panic swept through Inui when he saw Yanagi attempting to lift a boiling pot of soup from the stove. He got to his feet and walked over, lifting the pot before Yanagi could do so.

Yanagi looked mildly amused. "I can manage, Sadaharu. It's not that heavy."

Inui set the pot on the table and served each of them a bowl of soup. Yanagi sat down at the table too, and Inui placed the bowl before him.

"Thank you, Sadaharu. That was kind of you." Yanagi's eyes opened slightly.

Inui adjusted his glasses. "Don't mention it. I want only the best for the baby."

There was a strange, subdued silence between them at the breakfast table after that. Inui decided to start the conversation by commenting about the meal.

"Renji. This soup is delicious." He told the other data master.

Yanagi had been toying with his bowl of soup, stirring the contents around without really touching it. He looked up when Inui spoke. "Ah. Thank you, Sadaharu. I've managed to pick up a trick or two during the few months I've stayed here. People will have to depend on themselves when they're alone."

Inui's hand made an involuntary movement, as he had the urge to put his hand on top of Yanagi's to comfort him, but managed to get a grip on himself and placed his hand on the table, just next to his spoon.

"You're not alone anymore." He mumbled, hoping that it didn't sound too weird coming from him.

Yanagi nodded, and his smile returned. "I know, Sadaharu. Thank you."

Inui finished his food and helped to wash up. He was done with the plates and was just about to wipe the table when Yanagi tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "I'll deal with that, Sadaharu."

"It's all right, Renji. I-"

Yanagi shook his head and pointed up at the clock. It was only then Inui noticed he was going to be late. He gave a yelp and rushed back to his room to get his bag packed. He had never lost track of time before. This was a first.

Inui zipped out of the room again in record speed. "I'll be going now, Renji."

"Come back soon, Sadaharu." Yanagi waved him off.

Inui smiled slightly at that. That was for certain. His friend would be waiting for him after all.

XXXXXXXXX

Inui was in a very good mood during practice that day. Tezuka's eyebrow rose questioningly.

"Your tennis is in very good form today. I'm taking that as you're happy with your new lodging?"

"Of course, Tezuka." 'Renji wouldn't have to be alone anymore.' Inui replied even as his pen danced across the pages, sealing the fate of yet another unsuspecting victim. He really loved Seigaku. There would always be new data every day. Yanagi would surely be entertained when Inui narrated everything to him once he returned home.

Tezuka nodded. "We'll all be counting on you to keep him company then. If anything, call Atobe, as his men are on standby."

"Of course." He noticed a frown on Tezuka's face, and glanced over to the courts. Apparently both Momoshiro and Kikumaru were now glomping Echizen, who looked like he was trying to escape. Oho! A jealous Tezuka. This was very rare data. He had made a mental note to tell Yanagi that when he spotted Kaidou jogging past.

"Kaidou." He called his junior.

The bandanna wearing tennis player halted in his steps, gave a soft hiss and walked up to him. "What is it, Inui-senpai?"

"I have a new training menu for you here. It should help to improve your stamina, which is currently your greatest strength."

The anti-social gave another hiss, which, according to Inui's calculations, was one he made when he was pleased. He accepted the sheet of paper from Inui and gave his thanks before skimming through it briefly.

"A-anou…Inui-senpai…is it all right…if we go through this training menu together?" Kaidou asked. Inui thought he looked slightly embarrassed.

Inui nodded. "Of course, Kaidou. I'll see you after practice then." He had a day off work anyway, as his employer was away on a short trip.

Keeping his word, he met up with Kaidou at the park, and he gave a brief explanation to the amount of training Kaidou would have to do every day to increase his strength.

"Of course, you can't neglect the 100 sit-ups and 100 pushups, as well as the ten rounds around the block. Swing your racket 500 times every day." Inui told the bandanna wearing boy, who listened with rapt attention, nodding every once in a while to indicate that he understood.

Inui felt that Kaidou made a very good protégé. He learnt fast, and could pick up what Inui had come up with very quickly. Also, he was very respectful towards his seniors. Really. Why didn't the tennis club have more juniors like him?

Inui glanced at his watch. He had better return home quickly. It was getting late. "Well then, Kaidou. We'll call it a day for now. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. That training will be tough in the beginning, but once your stamina builds up, it shouldn't be a problem to you."

"Hai." Kaidou nodded. Inui bade him farewell and hurried back. He realized that he did not like leaving Yanagi home alone for too long.

When he reached home, Yanagi greeted him. Inui thought he seemed a little worried even if, as usual, it was devoid from his expression.

"Sadaharu. Where have you been?" Yanagi asked.

"My apologies. I was helping my junior out with his training menu." Inui explained even as he took off his shoes.

"Junior…do you mean Kaidou-kun?"

"Ah yes. Him." Inui mused that Yanagi had remembered their conversation yesterday. He went to put his bag away and headed over to the dining room. Apparently the food was still on the table, untouched. Yanagi really had waited up for him!

"Renji, you could have eaten first. You didn't have to wait up for me." Inui told him lightly, though deep inside he was a little happy.

Yanagi carefully lowered himself into his seat. "I just felt like it, Sadaharu."

They had dinner, and after the two of them had finished their food, Inui washed up and headed over to the sitting room, where he began to narrate the day's events. Yanagi listened on with keen interest, and as usual he punctuated the conversation with personal insights. He chuckled lightly when Inui mentioned a jealous Tezuka, and before Inui could mention his discussion with Kaidou, his phone rang.

"Ah. Excuse me, Renji." Inui picked up his phone and listened. "Moshi moshi? Oh. Kaidou, it's you."

"Inui-senpai. Am I calling at a bad time?" The ever respectful junior asked.

"Not at all. What is it, Kaidou?"

His junior still had queries regarding the training menu, and Inui tried his best to explain it to him. The topic somehow diverted from tennis to chemistry, Inui's strongest subject.

In the end, Inui worried for his junior's phone bill, and set a time and place to have a proper discussion instead. He was mildly proud to have a junior so dedicated to both tennis and studies. Kaidou had a bright future ahead of him.

When he had ended the call, he looked up and noticed Yanagi staring at him with a neutral expression. It was only then he remembered that he was still halfway through a conversation with him.

"So sorry, Renji. Kaidou had some questions over his schoolwork."

"I guessed as much." Yanagi replied curtly. He carefully got to his feet and walked away from the living room.

"Where are you going to, Renji?" Inui asked, wondering about Yanagi's sudden departure.

Yanagi paused a while. "The washroom."

Inui frowned slightly. That sounded like an afterthought.

Yanagi noticed his frown and gave a reassuring small smile. "What's with that expression? The baby is pressing against my bladder, that's all." With that said, he took his leave.

Inui gave a sigh and leaned back against his seat. He removed his glasses, wiped them with his shirt and replaced them. He glanced up at the ceiling, reverting to his habit whenever he was thoughtful and he didn't have a notebook in hand.

Recently, it was getting difficult to keep all his thoughts in check, as more often than not, his thoughts would conjure very…imaginative pictures in his head. Inui tried to convince himself that he was only getting close to Yanagi because of the baby, but somehow his mind thought otherwise. The parent was the most important person to Inui.

Still, he remained tight-lipped over it. No point saying anything until he could find out just what Yanagi thought of him. His data was accurate when it came to analyzing others, but for some reason it wasn't working when it was related to himself…and Yanagi.

Speaking of which…wasn't there already someone Yanagi liked? Someone whose data Inui couldn't get a good grasp on. Inui was so caught up with the whole day's activity that this particular issue had slipped his mind, but now that he recalled it, he could feel the urge to stab someone return.

How would he ever find out who the person was? Inui couldn't very well sneak off to Rikkai Dai and…wait…on second thought he had done so before, so he could do so again, though Sanada might throw him out bodily if he ever caught him.

He was still formulating a plan in his head when he felt someone shaking him lightly.

"Sadaharu?"

He glanced up and only then he realized he had fallen asleep. Yanagi chuckled at him. "Really, I thought only pregnant people are prone to bouts of fatigue. If you're tired you should retire to your bedroom."

"Aa. I think I should." Inui got to his feet tiredly. He shook his head clear, trying to get more awake. "Before I do, however, I should get you back to bed too."

Yanagi's face coloured slightly again. "Really, Sadaharu. I don't think it would matter if I walk to the bedroom or you carry me there. It's only a few feet away."

"I insist, Renji." Inui told him in all seriousness.

Yanagi placed one hand on his shoulder. "I've calculated a 95 percent chance you would say that. Alright then."

Inui scooped the pregnant teen into his arms, and he could feel Yanagi's breath against his neck. He didn't know why he was so insistent on carrying Yanagi. The Rikkai demons were much stronger than they look anyway, but rationality was his weakest point recently.

Now then. Only one more issue he had to settle before he was completely contented.

XXXXXXXXX

Inui's schedule was increasingly tight nowadays. He had to juggle among school, tennis practice, coaching Kaidou over tennis or schoolwork, his part-time job and of course, gathering data on who Yanagi's possible love interest could be.

His schedule was so tight, in fact, that it was always late by the time he returned home, and he had to leave early the following day. The amount of time for interacting with Yanagi had shortened greatly, but when he was at home, he made sure to give Yanagi a complete data of the day anyway, minus the part where he snooped over to Rikkai Dai.

He repeated this for nearly a week, and still no signs of anyone who Inui was sure had been in some way associated with his friend. He hid behind trees, or in bushes, trying to get even a squeak. So far…he got other data instead, such as Rikkai's Doubles 1 pair making out without knowing that Sanada was making a phone call to Yukimura just a few feet away, or Jackal polishing his head counter clockwise and not clockwise like what Yanagi's data had mentioned, or Marui getting a liking for watermelon flavoured bubble-gum, or Kirihara doing graffiti all over Sanada's tennis bag. Really, it was interesting data, and Inui had recorded it all since it might entertain Yanagi, but this was certainly not the data he was looking for.

He gave a frustrated groan when the Rikkai trickster and gentleman started making out in front of him again, blocking his view of a bunch of fangirls who might potentially be suspects in the 'possibly-Yanagi's-love-interest' case.

"A penny for your thoughts, Inui." A voice spoken near his ear almost made him jump. It was a good thing he managed to stop himself, or he would totally reveal his position as a spy in the school.

He spun around and met the smiling face of the Rikkai captain. "Yukimura…"

"I take it you're not here for scouting. If you were, you would have chosen a spot nearer to the tennis courts and not all the way at the back of the clubroom." The blue-haired captain continued to smile.

Inui gave a weak laugh. "Ah…I was…looking for a friend, but I'm leaving now anyway. What are you doing here?'

No sooner had the words left him did he feel like a complete idiot. This was Rikkai Dai, and Yukimura was the captain of Rikkai's tennis club, so why should he not be here?

Yukimura looked mildly amused. He didn't tease Inui about it though. "I was just checking on the welfare of the club. While I can't join them for practice, I'd still drop by once in a while. It's the least I can do as captain." He adjusted his bag on his shoulder. "I'm leaving too. Let's walk together then."

"Aa." Inui consented. Yukimura probably wanted to ask him about Yanagi.

Surely enough, Yukimura touched that topic just 3 metres out of the school gates.

"Renji's fine. He has to visit the washroom frequently because the baby is putting pressure on his bladder, but otherwise, they're both perfectly healthy." Inui reported.

Yukimura looked happy to hear that. "Is that so? That's good. I'm glad you're there to take care of him."

"Well…it was no trouble. He's carrying a baby with my DNA after all." Inui tried to come up with a reason which didn't sound too cheesy.

Yukimura threw him a side-glance. "The baby? That's your reason? Is that all?"

Inui had always felt that Yukimura's insight was downright creepy. This was one of those times. "Aa. That is all." He said, even as his mind conjured a different sentence altogether.

Yukimura sighed. "Is that so? That's a pity. I thought you were so kind to Renji because you liked him."

"I'm not gay." Inui's mouth went ahead of him as his mind automatically went defensive at those words. He noticed Yukimura giving him a stare and gave an embarrassed laugh. "Er…I mean…I like him as a friend, of course. It seems that Renji already has someone he liked anyway." Inui rephrased his words.

Yukimura turned to look at him at that. "Oh? Did Renji tell you that?"

Inui nodded, not clarifying that Yanagi hadn't exactly "told" him, but it was all according to his predictions.

Yukimura smiled. "I see."

By Yukimura's answer, Inui was 100 percent sure that Yukimura knew who it was. "Who's the girl?" He blurted out, unable to hold the question in anymore.

Yukimura gave a soft cough, followed on by another. "Please excuse me." The blue-haired captain turned away from Inui, his shoulders shaking. Inui had the feeling that the Rikkai captain was chuckling silently. In fact, by how his shoulders were shaking non-stop, Inui allocated a small percentage of prediction that Yukimura might burst out with loud, uncontrollable laughter any moment. That very mental image scared him.

Thankfully, that never happened, as the Rikkai captain managed to contain his laughter. He gave one last cough and turned back to Inui, who was already pale with fright. He didn't know what it was he said that was so funny.

"What made you ask such a question anyway?" Yukimura's voice was quite steady.

Inui gave a weak laugh. "I…assumed…"

Yukimura smiled. "And why did you assume a girl immediately?"

Inui was about to say something to that, but he caught the underlying message in Yukimura's words. His jaw dropped. "It's a guy?"

Yukimura merely smiled, not giving off anything. He placed one hand on Inui's shoulder. "If this is bugging you, then shouldn't you ask Renji personally?" He patted Inui on the shoulder and left, heading towards a different route. Inui was still rooted to the spot, his head spinning in confusion. So Yanagi was attracted to guys? This certainly was new and important data.

By the time Inui returned home, it was very late, and Yanagi had waited up for him anyway, his food completely untouched. "Sadaharu, where have you been to? It's late."

"Sorry, Renji. I lost track of time."

He couldn't read Yanagi's expression, but the Rikkai data master didn't seem pleased. Yanagi shook his head slightly and headed towards the kitchen area. He didn't seem to be paying attention as to where he was walking to, for he tripped over a stool.

"Renji!" Inui lunged forward and caught him before he hit the ground. For a long moment he remained where he was, his arms still wrapped protectively around his friend as he tried to still his pounding heart, which hadn't quite recovered from that scare yet.

Eventually, he got to his feet again. "That was close, Renji. You could have hurt you- ah…the baby." Inui rephrased his words quickly, not wanting to scare Yanagi away by spouting something cheesy.

Yanagi stiffened. "Thank you, Sadaharu. I'll go get dinner ready." His tone was very neutral, and Inui couldn't guess what was going on in his friend's mind. He didn't sound too happy, that was for certain. Maybe he was disgusted with Inui putting his arms around him for so long?

Dinner was more unbearable this round. Not the food. That was good, as usual. The ambience was suffocating. Inui tried to lighten his friend's mood by speaking of his day, but Yanagi was only listening half-heartedly. Inui was considering whether he wanted to reveal his talk with Yukimura too when his phone started ringing again.

"Excuse me, Renji. Moshi moshi? Ah. Kaidou."

There was a dull clink as Yanagi picked up his food. Inui could only see him from the corner of his eye, and thought that it looked rather like Yanagi had just stabbed the sushi. His eyes must be playing tricks with him.

Kaidou was enquiring about homework, and Inui briefly explained the formula to him before ending the call. He glanced up and noticed Yanagi giving him a dark look. Oh yes. It must be very rude of him to answer the call at the table.

"So sorry, Renji. I won't take a call at the dinner table again." He tried to pacify his friend.

Yanagi stabbed another sushi. Inui was certain his eyes weren't playing tricks with him this time. "Your junior seems to be calling very often." He said calmly.

Inui nodded. "Aa. That's of course. The teacher's explanations were unclear and he couldn't catch up with some chapters."

"I see." Yanagi continued to stab the sushi without eating it. "Sadaharu…do you like him?"

Such an odd question. "Of course." Inui's reply was instantaneous. Inui did like Kaidou as a junior, since he was so respectful.

A flicker of emotion crossed Yanagi's face briefly. It was only then did Inui realize where Yanagi's thoughts were going. "No. Not that way. I only like him as a junior. I'm not gay." Again, Inui went on defensive mode.

Yanagi winced slightly. "I know…you mentioned that five times so far…" He gave a soft hiss of pain, even as his hands flew to his stomach.

Inui was next to him immediately. "Renji?"

"It…hurts…" Yanagi managed to choke out. He gave another cry of pain, even as his hands clutched the swell of his stomach.

Inui turned pale. Contractions? But Yanagi was only seven months and 17 days pregnant.

Yanagi opened his eyes and stared at him. His expression did not betray the pain he must have been feeling, but Inui could see it in his eyes. He was tearing up from the pain, and there were other emotions too…fear…and confusion. "Something's not right…it's too early to be born…" He gave another hiss.

Inui reacted immediately. He lifted his ailing friend in his arms and carried him to the bedroom. His friend, who had put on such a strong front all these months, was trembling in his arms. He looked so vulnerable, like a child.

"I don't want to lose the baby, Sadaharu. I don't want to lose the baby…" Yanagi muttered in a shaky voice. He clung on to Inui's shirt, as if the gesture could stop the pain.

Inui's blood turned to ice at that thought. "You won't, Renji. You'll be alright. The baby will be alright." He set his friend down and dashed out of the room.

Seizing the nearest phone off the table, Inui speed dialed Atobe's number…

To be continued…

A/N: (Evil laughter) I love cliffhangers…

Please Read and Review. No Flames Please.

-Gwyn86