Chapter 23

Inui was on the edge of his seat, praying for Kaidoh to walk through the class room doors. This was the first lesson in his life where he hadn't hung on to every word the teacher said. The minutes ticked by, seeming slower and slower with every tick of the second hand on the classroom clock. By the end of the 2 hours Inui was holding on the edge of his desk so hard that his hands had both turns stark white. Kaidoh still had not returned. The whole class had found it hard to continue with the lesson, with the intense tension they could feel mounting from Inui. As the second hour passed, Aoe-sensei gave in. "Right everyone, get your shoes on, it is obvious that Kaidoh is not in the school grounds as he would have returned by now. I suggest you check out his favourite hang outs, I will leave Inui in your command. I will stay here just in case Kaidoh does return. Dismissed." Inui shot towards the door, his team mates close behind, also anxious to find their team mate. It was so unlike Kaidoh to go missing for such a long time. Everyone hurried to put on their shoes.

"I suggest we head for the sports supply store." Inui shouted as he streaked towards the school gates, his team mates in toes.

"Wouldn't it be wiser to split up?" He heard Oishi shout from behind him.

"We will split up if we find that Kaoru isn't in the sports supply store." He replied, no-one arguing, fearing any questioning would lead to a lot of pain and discomfort.

They soon arrived at the store, Inui flinging open the doors. Everyone ran in checking all the aisles for any sign of Kaidoh and asking every customer and member of staff if they had seen him. They all exited feeling lost.

"No-one has seen him!" Eiji piped up. "Where the hell could he have gone?"

"Team Seigaku?" Came a voice from behind them. They all turned around to see a solemn looking man in a butler's suit standing before them.

"Yes." Tezuka replied.

"Right this way if you please," he jestered as he opened the door to a sleek black limousine in front of them. No-one move, unsure of what was going on and where exactly the butler was trying to take them.

"I'm sorry?" Fuji asked.

"I have been given order by young master Atobe to collect you all on the request of his guest, Kaidoh Kaoru." Everyone one stood stock still, shocked at what they had just heard. My Kaoru is with Atobe at this very moment. What the hell is going on? I need so answers! With that Inui strode towards the open door and got into the limo. Oishi followed, with his mothering instincts not wanting to let Inui go alone into the enemy's territory. With that Eiji followed, not wanting to leave Oishi's side. He was the followed by Fuji, not wanting his best friend to go without him. Followed then by Ryoma, who was just intrigued. They were both followed by their significant others, this only left Taka. After about 2 minutes of indecisiveness he too followed, getting into the limo. Within seconds they were under way, no-one knowing exactly where they were going, no-one asked. Some wanted to know but couldn't ask, others just didn't want to know.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Kaidoh asked Atobe again for the hundredth time. He had questioned the plan ever since the three of them had formulated it. Atobe sighed for the hundredth time.

"Yes of course it is going to work. Ore-sama's plans always work!" Kaidoh snorted at this. The stuck up Diva, but I have to do this for Inui and our relationship. Don't upset the drama Queen! He mentally instructed himself. The plan was all ready; a servant had gone to the Inui house and obtained what was needed. The only thing that they needed was the man himself, Sadaharu Inui, the fact that the team was also coming was a nice addition to the plan. Kaidoh couldn't sit still, getting up and down every few seconds to pace the room then sit back in his chair, he couldn't help being nervous, this plan could make or break his relationship. It carried a great deal of risk with it, but it was necessary to get his point across, he prayed to what ever divine deity that was listening that Inui would get the point.

Scenery passed outside the windows of the black limousine. But the silent occupants didn't notice, they were all silent in thought, scared to ask questions and finding it hard to strike up conversation to ease the tension. Many were staring at Inui, wondering what he was thinking, if he had a plan and some were curious as to how he was dealing with the situation. Fuji for one was loving seeing the Data player showing a rainbow of emotions and his mind processed all the information and worked out possible scenarios. The silence continued as the limo pulled into the entrance of the Atobe estate and glided it the grand promenade. Even then it came to a halt at the front of the house none the elegant vehicles passengers dared to more. It was only when a butler pristine dressed opened the door did Inui move, followed closely by his team mates, in the order in which they had entered, each exiting for the same reason they had entered. They moved in single file up the ancient, well kept, stone steps and though the large, open, dark oak doors.

Still no-one said anything, many in awe of what they were seeing. Priceless paintings, tapestries and vases graced the walls. it made everyone feel scared of even breathing too hard, in case they some how accidentally damage the priceless artifacts. Many took steps away from the walls in case even their presence could do damage. They stood huddled in the middle of the vast foyer when they moment on the landing. Everyone looked up to find Jirou smiling widely down at them. "Come on then. The show's about to begin and I guarantee that you won't want to miss it." He disappeared with a mischievous smile aimed directly at Inui.

Inui led the way hurriedly up the sweeping staircase, afraid that if he was too slow he would lose the sleepy player in the maze that was the Atobe mansion. As he reached the landing Inui noticed the boy disappear at the end of the corridor in front of him, he hurried after the boy closely followed by the curious team mates. He turned at the end, the same way that his prey had taken and found himself in a corridor with only one door at the end. He knew that what he desired was behind that door, he knew that his beloved Kaoru was behind that door. This made him feel as though he wanted to run to the door and knock it off its' hinges if that's what it took, but a thought held him back, made him stop and stand staring at the door. Jirou had said that there was a show about to begin, what if Kaidoh was behind that door betraying him, behind that door with the drama Queen Atobe and now Jirou, what if he had pushed him over the edge and he was now about to get his revenge?! He couldn't open the door, he was frozen with fear, if for whatever reason Kaidoh was about to destroy his heart he didn't want to see it. Then reason kicked in, Kaidoh would never do such a thing, especially with Keigo Atobe of all people. There's a 59 chance that he only wants to talk to me and is using Atobe to help him do so. But there is a 5 chance that what I fear is behind that door and Kaoru has done nothing but go against my calculations!

Inui took a deep breath and strode over to the door, without even pausing he confidently grabbed the door knob and turned.

Author note: Sorry it took so long, I had A levels to do :( Anyway I hope you all enjoy this chapter and hopefully the next chapter won't take as long as this one did. I hope so mainly for you guys sakes as I know I have left this chapter on a rather mean cliffhanger. Sorry I know I'm mean. Anyway reviews please. :D