Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Lady Monozuki: Hello everyone. It has been a rather tumultuous two weeks for me. Being near the holidays, family drama seems to increase. For what reason, I don't know. So I decided to get this next update out to you before I get overwhelmed completely and go crazy and ignore all of my stories. For those of you who reviewed, I appreciate them. They are what keep me going. I haven't replied to any reviews in a while, but they are my motivation. Please continue to read and review!

Chapter Three: Falling

Gen felt his heart break even more. He didn't know it was possible. The pain that Ryoma had experienced was nothing compared to his own, but that didn't make it any easier to bear. The last words that Ryoma had said to him still rang in his head.

If only…

But there was no changing the past. He could only try to work things out in the present. He had to work on building a better future, not for them, but for his own health and well-being. He looked away from the person who he had let down. Not out of guilt, but in fear that the other would see the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He wouldn't cry, not in front of Ryoma.

"You're always afraid to show your emotions," his ex said, breaking the silence between them. "You don't have to hold back around me. I've seen you at your best, and helped carry you at your worst. You did not hide your feelings from me then, you shouldn't have to now."

He knew that he shouldn't break down. Ryoma didn't need his problems on top of everything else. He had promised to be the one to lend support, not the other way around. However, his emotions betrayed him. Before he could stop himself, the tears started to fall down his face. Everything had changed in so little time. Even if he wanted to process his thoughts and emotions, there was no time to do so. All that he could feel was the hurt, the anger, and the fear.

I don't know who I am anymore.

His identity had been wrapped up in this relationship. With them, he knew his role, who he was, and what was acceptable. On his own, he had no idea. He had not learned how to be his own person. They had grown up together, shared their lives together, and experienced some of the most awkward moments of their lives together. Even during their rough times, they had not spent much time apart. Instead of confronting problems, they had chosen to ignore them, but they were still together.

Warmth enveloped him. The arms that held him brought back so many memories. It had been so long since he had last cried in Ryoma's arms. There were no words that needed to be exchanged. He could hear the words that his ex would whisper in his head. He stayed like that for several moments, trying to gather himself again.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be," Ryoma said. "You're human. You're allowed to cry."

"You don't need someone else who's broken," Gen whispered. "You already have so many problems to deal with."

"I'm part of your problem, Gen."

He pulled away from the warm embrace. He stared into the golden orbs, reading into the somber expression they held. Every emotion that his ex was thinking and feeling rested in those pools.

"You have never been the problem. If anything, you've helped to break us free."

"No," Ryoma said in a firm voice. "I am a part of the problem. Everything is my fault. If only…"

"Stop!" Gen said rather harshly. "You can't blame yourself for things that were never in your control. You fought. You tried. You held on to whatever hope you could find. We let you down. I let you down. You did everything you could, but we only dragged you through even more hell. We drove you to that point."

"You're wrong," Ryoma whispered. "I was just too weak."

-Stand-

A man dressed in dark clothing stepped outside of the building. He frowned. The weather had taken a turn for the worse while he was in his business meeting. Luckily for him, he always brought an umbrella with him. Not because he was a pessimist, but because he had this lingering feeling that his day was going to go from bad to worse. With the results of the meeting, it seemed that the skies were pouring down mercilessly the tears that he had wanted to cry when dealing with a bunch of idiots. He opened the contraption, covering his head before stepping out into the dismal weather.

He walked past four men, carefully avoiding bumping into them. They were notorious in the area for stirring up trouble if you dared to get in their path. It was easier to avoid the scuffle rather than to get involved with them. He had heard the stories of what they had done to others and had no desire to be another victim in their sick and twisted games. He smirked. He had played many of those games in tennis and had moved past that point in his life—well, mostly.

His black loafers kicked up water as he walked through the puddles. He stared at the ground for a brief moment, frowning that the water was soaking through his shoes. It was rather annoying. It took him a moment before he realized that there was crimson mixed in with the water. He frowned. The reddish water started to drain off to the sidewalk, and into the drain on the street. It wasn't a couple of random spots. It was a small stream. His eyes followed it, tracing it to the alley.

He shot a glance to the retreating backs of the gang he had passed. He had a feeling… Diverting off his course home, he walked down the alley. He froze upon seeing a person lying there in a pool of blood.

Oh god.

He dropped down to his knees and placed two fingers on the person's neck. He recognized the hair and the broken glasses. It had been over a year since he had last seen the man, but there was no mistaking Tezuka Kunimitsu, even in this state. He felt a faint pulse underneath the cold skin. Quickly, he pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services.

He prayed that it was not too late…

-Stand-

"Atobe," a deep voice on the other line said. He recognized it immediately.

"It's surprising to hear from you, Oshitari. What may I help you with?"

"You need to get down to Tokyo General Hospital, now." The sense of urgency didn't go unnoticed. He frowned.Why did he need to go to the hospital? He was perfectly healthy.

"Why?"

"Tezuka's here. He's..He's got severe injuries. I don't know if he's going to make it."

-Stand-

His mind was blank. He sat in uncomfortable chairs in the white lobby. His hands shook from the news.

"You're here about Tezuka Kunimitsu? He has four broken ribs, a broken arm and wrist, fractures to the C4, C6, and C7 vertebrae, and a severe head wound that is causing hemorrhaging. He's in surgery now."

"Atobe," he heard in the distance. However, he didn't respond. He continued to stare forward, replaying the words in his head. Tezuka was never this careless. If he had known that this would have happened…

"Atobe," he heard again, this time closer to him. He looked up and registered the familiar blue hair. He knew the person standing in front of him, extending a cup of coffee to him. Even if he wanted the beverage, he wasn't sure that he would be able to hold it.

"Put in on the table," he managed to say. His voice sounded odd. It echoed in the emptiness of his mind. Oshitari had obeyed him. His former teammate and best friend sat next to him, sipping his own coffee.

"Atobe, where are the others?" Oshitari asked. A frown formed on his former teammate's face. "Shouldn't they be here by now? I'm actually surprised they didn't come with you."

Oh my god.

He had forgotten about the others. Hell, he had forgotten that Oshitari didn't know about them breaking up, about anything really. Keigo didn't know what to do. He shook his head, trying to find his words.

"They…They have enough to deal with," Atobe said. He thought of what had happened earlier. They didn't need this right now.

He saw Oshitari's quizzical glance. "What could be more important than their lover in the hospital?"

He grimaced. This was not the place to discuss this, not with Kunimitsu… He reached for his cup of coffee and took a sip, ignoring the question that still lingered in the air. How was he going to explain this? He really couldn't.

"Now is not the time for any of this," Keigo said. "I can't explain it now. Not with what's going on."

Atobe looked at his former best friend's face. He knew that it was pathetic and hardly satisfying, but it was all that he could offer.

"Very well, I won't press." He sighed in relief. "However, I want an explanation for everything, including why you haven't contacted me in over a year."

Keigo nodded. He would explain, just not now.

To be continued…