Secrets are meant to be kept Chapter 20: The end: I'm free, a prince of tennis fanfic

BP: Finally, the last chapter! Thanks to all who have reviewed, favorite and followed this story. The very first story I have written when I first came here. Do take a look at my new story called My Secret Love as well. I am disappointed by the lack of reviews for the last chapter, but oh well, it can't be helped.

Ryoma's thoughts raced as he kept his eyes resolutely shut. Darkness was all he saw. He was lying, judging by the fact that his legs weren't tired. Where is he? What if he dies here? What if he never got to see Kunimitsu again? What if… beep… Wait. What was that? Beep…Ryoma's eyes shot open. The first thing he noticed was the room was all white. He wasn't in danger; he was in fact, safe and sound under a pure white blanket. He turned to the source of the beeping. It was a heart monitor, measuring the number of beats his heart is beating in a minute. He instinctively reached for his back, and realized his bow and quiver of arrows wasn't slung over his shoulder anymore. In fact, the said items were missing from the room. Hospital. The first word he could think of. Why would he be in here, though? He thought back on the day where he killed his brother. Kunimitsu did save him from the collapsing building, despite him telling his lover to run away. Where is he now? His question was answered when the door opened, and a boy came in. He had brown eyes and brown hair. Ryoma brightened up. It was Kunimitsu!

"Kunimitsu!" Ryoma exclaimed, as he sat up on his hospital bed.

"Ryoma."

Ryoma bit his lip. "Why did you save me?"

"I can't leave you in that building. I knew I could save you."

"I should have died a long time ago. I killed my brother. I AM A MURDERER!" He screamed the last sentence, making Tezuka flinch slightly. "Why would you bother to stay near a murderer?" Tezuka ran to Ryoma's side, and cupped his face, making the boy look up at him. He wiped the tears falling down his face, and said, "Ryoma, it's alright now. You're free. You are not a murderer. You saved me. You saved your friends. And most of all, you saved Japan."

"Kunimitsu, I…"

"Ryoma, you are not a murderer…." He leaned closer.

"You are everything I ever wanted." he whispered into Ryoma's parted mouth, as he kissed him and he closed his eyes. They broke apart just as the door opened, revealing all the Seigaku regulars. "OCHIBI!" Kikumaru shouted, glomping his favorite kouhai. "You're alright! I was so worried when Tezuka called and told me you are at the hospital! I heard from him you were stabbed in the gut and the thigh! What happened, Ochibi?" Kikumaru ranted like a bullet train. However, he was interrupted by Fuji. "Yeah, what happened?" said Fuji. "You look like you have been in a fight."

Ryoma looked over at Tezuka, who gave him a small nod. Ryoma turned to them and said, "Well, I'll tell you my story…."

And he told them all. For the next half an hour, he talked into rapt silence. From Shizuka and his assassin missions given to them by the leader, how the leader was killed but managed to send them one last mission, how they were only partially successful when they did the mission, as the leader is still alive, how he spaced out when Shizuka died during that mission, how Tezuka comforted him and how they started dating. He even told them attempts on his life, and how Tezuka was kidnapped while they were doing grocery shopping, how he figured out the riddles in the letter and why he didn't tell them, as he didn't want them to be in danger and decided to rescue Tezuka himself. When he was finished, he was met with complete silence, which was broken when Momoshiro said, "So…you are a professional assassin?"

"Former assassin. Yes, that's how I am good at tennis, because my weapons and hand-to-hand combat training has helped me."

Fuji gave a low whistle. "So, we all know our captain and freshman are together! And how good our freshman is at weapons."

"Yes, so if any of you mess with me….I'll make sure I'll be invited to your funeral."

Everyone mock shuddered and then laughed.

Their presence softened Ryoma's pain in his heart and he did not cry. But when everyone left except for Tezuka, he saw everyone leave through the open window of his ward and he was left alone with his lover, the tears began to run fast and heavy down his cheeks. Tezuka non-verbally wrapped his arms around Ryoma, and allowed him to cry. In the afternoon when he awaken, or tomorrow or the next day, he will finally be free to talk to his friends, go for burgers with Momo, go on dates with Kunimitsu, and play tennis. Once he is discharged, he would walk to school as always, sometimes Momo-senpai will pick him up in his bicycle, or maybe chase Momo-senpai as he takes an item away from him and made him run to school. But Shizuka never would again.

Ryoma liked Shizuka very much. In fact, you can say he loved her like a sister. She had always been there, a part of him, a part of his life, just like the rain. Yet he knew that the rain will eventually pass. He knew and understood that. What happened to Shizuka that night he understood and he knew it would not pass, as he is not free. But Shizuka isn't. He cried for those things which happened that night and would not pass.

He cried for Shizuka. For Shizuka and the fact that she would never tasted freedom in her lifetime.

Tezuka held him, knowing Ryoma needed time to recover from all this. He wiped Ryoma's tears, and said, "Don't worry, it will all be alright. Shizuka is probably happy you managed to save the world, and I am sure she is proud of you."

"I-I know, but she…..she…"

"She is free now. Just in another way."

One day I will return.

Ryoma smiled. He lived. He did return. To his friends, to his lover.

If it wasn't for the thought of you, my love, I wouldn't be able to go on.

"I'm glad I have you, Mitsu. Without you, I may not be able to be free of my terrible past."

Tezuka smiled, before giving him a kiss on the lips. "You may have a terrible past, but you are neither twisted nor evil. Everyone loves you. I love you."

When I find myself doing terrible things, I take comfort in you.

"I'm happy you are able to stay with me forever."

"As am I, Ryoma." said Tezuka.

As long as I am able to think of you and long for a life together, I know I'm better than the others. I weep for them, they lust for power without restraint, where I only crave fair judgment and a safe return.

Time will pass, and he will forget everything about his bloody murders and his past. He pitied his brother, who thought he was the better fighter, and wanted power, when all he needed was someone to love and love him back. His wish had come true, and that's all it matters. Because he knew as long as he has his friends and Kunimitsu, everything will be ok. "I'll never, ever let you go, Ryoma." Tezuka whispered.

Ryoma smiled. Although secrets are meant to be kept, but sometimes, it's better to tell them to someone.

One day I will return. If it wasn't for the thought of you, my love, I wouldn't be able to go on. When I find myself doing terrible things, I take comfort in you.

BP: The end! Please review, and thanks once again for reading this story to the very end. This chapter is dedicated to all of you, who have stuck with Ryoma until the very end.