Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Lady Monozuki: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! This chapter is a bit shorter, but I didn't want it too long. The next one will be longer because, well, there will be more drama to write in that one. Regardless, I hope you enjoy and please review!

Chapter Eight: Again

Ryoma phased in and out of reality and the nightmare-filled dream world. Kindness was swallowed by the misery reigning in his subconscious. Forced to relive the worst days of his life in an unrelenting assault drove him to the same desperation he had felt when alive. Except that he would actually die in his dreams. In the world, he still existed. Life would have been simpler if he hadn't failed at committing suicide. He wouldn't have to deal with the pain and torment any longer. And he wouldn't have to see the people who broke his heart constantly. Was he really asking too much to die?

He opened his eyes, not really taking in his surroundings. It wasn't an unfamiliar place, that was all he knew. Ryoma felt a cool cloth touch his forehead.

"Ryoma," a soft voice whispered. Concern and fear laced the gentle tone. He tried to remember where he knew the voice from, but couldn't place it in his foggy head.

He groaned. His head hurt so much. He turned to see the person calling his name, but could barely make them out. The world in front of him spun at a dizzying rate. All he could do was shut his eyes to keep what little grip on reality he had. Soft flesh pressed against his lips, pushing hard objects into his mouth.

"Swallow these, you'll feel better."

Even though he wanted to ask what they were, he couldn't without much effort. He swallowed them without complaint, hoping that the person was right. It felt like an eternity before things were beginning to return to normal. He opened his eyes once more, taking in Fuji's concerned face. His heart clenched at the traces of worry and fear spread on his ex's usually delicate features.

"Syuusuke," he breathed.

"Is there anything you want?" Fuji asked quickly.

He closed his eyes again, the lids becoming too heavy to keep open. He knew he was going to drift back into his nightmares. He didn't want to be there alone again.

"Hold my hand," he whispered.

Cool flesh held tightly on to his hand.

-Stand-

Tears welled in his eyes, but he fought them back. Yukimura could only watch as Gen hastily dressed and then head off the guestroom. There was nothing he could do to make Gen stay. He wasn't enough. He would never be enough. Even as the memories of their passion burned in his mind, they meant nothing because Gen had only seen Syuusuke. Not Seiichi.

It stung. What hurt most was the fact that he let himself believe that the moment was real. That this was the start of a new chapter in both of their lives. But that dream was now gone, crushed by the fact that Gen couldn't get over his exes. Yukimura hated them.

He stood, slowly putting on his clothes before heading to the guestroom. He saw Gen furiously packing what little had been salvaged from Atobe's mansion after their breakup. He bit his lip. Even though his heart had been ripped apart and trampled on, he didn't want his love to go.

"Gen," Yukimura said. He didn't get a response. "Gen, you don't have to leave."

I don't want you to leave.

"I have to," Gen replied.

"No, you don't," he insisted.

"Seiichi, things have changed between us. I took advantage of you. I hurt you."

He felt his heart sting at those words. While it was true, he wasn't going to give up easily.

"Where are you going to go?" he asked angrily.

Gen paused. "I don't know."

"You don't have anywhere to go. I'm the only one who stuck by you throughout all of this. Everyone else has left you. And you want to run away from the only person who has ever bothered to give you more than one chance?" he spat. He was hurt and angry, but he couldn't let Gen wander the streets at the same time.

I love him too much to let him do that.

"I can't stay here. I—" Gen tried to find the words.

He felt sick. "I'll get over it," he said gently. "I know that I'll never be as important to you as they are. I can live with that. But what will happen if they hurt you again? Who will you go to then?"

He let his words sink in. Yukimura hated the sound of them coming from his mouth, but if he wanted Gen to stay, the he would say whatever he needed to. He wasn't going to let Gen leave him all alone.

Gen stared at him, contemplating his words. At least he had made the other think. That was enough for him.

"I want to believe you, Yukimura. But I crossed a line."

"Yes, but we'll move on from that point. We've always moved on from one obstacle to another and overcame them."

More silence loomed between them. "I'll stay," Gen said hesitantly. He inwardly smiled. "But I can't love you any more than as a friend."

"I know," Yukimura whispered. He clenched his fist.

I know that all too well.

-Stand-

The sun peaked through the curtains, warming him with their rays. Ryoma groggily opened his eyes and looked at the window. It was early in the morning, before anyone would be awake. He couldn't remember anything that had happened after speaking to Oshitari briefly—except seeing Syuusuke. He turned over and found his ex sleeping beside his bed.

Their hands were still interlocked. He reached over with his free hand and brushed a few strands of hair from Syuusuke's face. The man didn't stir. A smile graced his lips as he recalled when they were first dating. Ryoma had gotten sick and Fuji had stayed by his side until he got better, nursed him back to health, and took care of his every need.

The way life replayed itself amused him. That was when he started falling in love with Syuusuke. The time where he realized just how much the other cared for him. How much Fuji was willing to do for him.

And it's happening all over again.

He leaned forward and kissed Syuusuke's forehead.

Even if there was still hell to work through, he couldn't help but feel that things would be all right.

To be continued…