Mega: Welcome to the (very) late chapter five. Sorry for the wait! I had an actual soccer game on Thursday! Hooray!

Kirino: Sup' everyone. How did your game go, Mega?

Mega: Meh. We almost won, and we probably should have won as well.

Kirino: What was the score?

Mega: Zero to zero, even though we had around seven shots/scoring opportunities.

Shindou: Hello, minna. What did you do during the game, Mega?

Mega: I almost scored twice, and I got really cold and bored while I played defense because our offence was so good. The team we played wasn't that great, but that's not important now, is it?

Kirino: You almost scored?!

Mega: Yup. My goal is to score at least once during what's left of our soccer season.

Shindou: It is a reachable goal, so I will support you somewhat.

Mega: Yay! *hugs Shindou*

Kirino: *emitting dark aura* Mega… Shindou…

Mega: What, Kirino? It's not like that, and you know it. I don't support reader/OC x character stories (unless it's a very special exception. Raimon's Samurai is one of the only examples I have of this).

Kirino: *steals Shindou back and hugs him tightly* Mega, shouldn't you move on to the reviews?

Mega: Yup! Here we go! *pulls out stack of reviews*

Reviews

OTP's are all you need (Review from chapter 2): Thank you so much! I'm glad that you like the story's idea. I will try to update at least once per week. I'm so glad that you like the story!

OTP's are all you need (Review from chapter 3): Please, call me Mega, but I will take Baka-Mega, though, when I'm acting crazy, stupid, nerdy, etc. You are right, though. I don't plan on stopping my sadistic tendencies, so that means more torture for the IE Go cast! Yay! *in the background: IE Go cast screaming and trying to escape my grasp* I'm glad you love the KyouTen. I do enjoy that ship as well. (I don't get Kinkano x Tsurugi and Aoi x Tenma, though. Kinkano is married, and Aoi quite obviously has no romantic interest in Tenma what so ever!) I did enjoy torturing Tenma in the last chapter because he is so easy to injure. I also love giving characters panic attacks. I really love doing this to very optimistic characters because no one can stay happy 24/7. Kirino also accepts your regards, but I don't think that will really happen until I finish the story.

OTP's are all you need (Review from chapter 4): Jeanne was actually burned at the stake. I know this because I am Christian, and Jeanne is a Martyr. I also know lots of random things about random things. Gah! I got off topic! *smack head with 800 page book* Sorry about that. I really liked writing that chapter, so I'm glad you liked it. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

2gatita8: I never prewrite the chapters, so I often add things to the story that seem unexpected. I'm glad you enjoy torturing Tenma, too. I'm glad you like the story even more! Your idea will be introduces in the next chapter if I keep this chapter on topic (-_- The chances of that are slim, but I will try!) I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

Kirino: Wow. You have a lot of reviews!

Mega: Yup! We'll have to cut this short, though because I ran over on the reviews. Whoops! Sorry, guys. You can listen to You'll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins during the first part of the story. I didn't, but I think the message of the song is similar to the first character's feelings. BTW, italics with quotation marks in the story mean that they are thoughts of the character the story is in the POV of. To the story, everyone!

Chapter Five: Free

~Tsurugi's POV~

I looked at the sleeping brunette again. I wanted to leave, but Tenma had just yelled at me for not listening to him and had a panic attack because of it. I really didn't want to think of his reaction if I broke my promise.

I sighed before I brushed some bangs off of the brunette's closed eyes. Why did everything have to go wrong now? Why couldn't it have waited until Tenma was confident in himself as our captain? Tenma had suffered, and I had no intention of letting him suffer alone now. I would protect him from all of his enemies, doubts, and whatever else was hurting or could hurt Tenma.

My head dipped towards my chest as I allowed my thoughts to surface within my mind.

"Why is it always Tenma? Why couldn't it be me or Shindou? At least we are confident in our abilities. Tenma's always been so nervous about being a captain. Even when we were competing in the Holy Road Tournament, he doubted himself. Maybe I can convince him to let Fei, Shindou, or I to be captain for a while. He can't play when he's in this state, so maybe I can persuade him. Yeah, that might work! I'll ask him when he wakes up. Maybe I can get Fei to help me convince him. Shindou could help to. Hmm, I'll ask them later."

I was snapped out of my musings when the door was quietly opened. My head shot up as I turned to face the one who had interrupted my thoughts. I was surprised to see a boy with mint colored hair that was styled in to small twin tails that resembled bunny ears. His gentle green eyes landed on me with a soft gaze. He moved towards Tenma's bed silently. Once he was steps from where I sat, he turned to me and looked at me kindly.

"I thought I might find you here. I take it that you are caring for him because you feel responsible for his condition. Am I right?" He gave me a tiny smile.

"I suppose you are, bunny boy. How did you know about Tenma's," I paused as I searched for the correct word, "collapse?"

"Bunny boy? I really didn't think that you were one to make jokes," he laughed quietly.

"With Tenma like this, someone has to try to be happy." I said nonchalantly. "Are you going to answer my other question or not?"

"I guess I should, huh? Well, I was coming back from explaining Kirino's condition to the team when I heard Tenma screaming at you. He was quite loud, so I wouldn't be surprised if most of the team knew about his outburst," he explained. He looked at me, waiting for my reply which I gave him seconds later.

"Was our argument really that loud?" I blush slightly. What if Kariya or one of the other troublemakers on our team heard? I would never here the end of it.

He giggled in a very un-Fei-like way. "No, it wasn't. I was just messing with you, but I wasn't lying when I said that I overheard you," he smiled cheekily.

I groaned. Trust one of the only relatively serious people on your team to make a joke out of something serious. Am I the only sane one on this team? With the way everything was going, I was starting to think so.

"Now that that's out of the way, I need your help." I looked at him. The remnants of my blush had disappeared completely, and my expression had become serious again.

The laughter quickly left his eyes, "What do you need?"

"I need you to help me convince Tenma to do something," I stated looking straight into his eyes.

"What would this thing be?" He glanced at me curiously.

"You've seen how burdened Tenma is, right?"

He nodded. His eyes began to fill with realization. It wasn't surprising. After all; Fei was a smart, witty time traveler. If he couldn't figure out what I was implying, I would start questioning his credentials.

"I have. He's seemed really tired, and his smiles are strained and fake," he agreed. "What do you plan to do to relieve him of his burden?"

I smiled inwardly. He had figured out my plan or part of it anyway.

"It's simple, really. All we need to do is persuade Tenma to allow one of or Shindou to take over as captain until he is fit to resume his role as captain," I said simply.

He grinned, "It's a good plan, and you've also factored in that he can't argue against us while he is recovering, right?"

"Yes, I have," was my short reply.

"You do have a strong point, Tsurugi. He can't argue, and he definitely needs to recover, so I'll help you!" He beamed happily.

Tenma stirred and moaned tiredly at Fei's loud outburst. He shifted before he resumed his sleep. After we were sure he was completely out again, we resumed our planning.

"What do we do now? We can't do anything right now." Fei pointed out in a softer tone.

"We'll just have to wait. Hey, why don't you go tell the team of our current situation and lead practice today?" I suggested to him. He bobbed his head up and down in agreement.

"Sure, but why aren't you coming?" He inquired curiously.

"I made Tenma a promise," I explained. "After what happened earlier, I don't think it's a great idea to break a promise I've just made with him."

His mouth formed a small "O" in understanding. "I see your point. I'm of then. I'll be back later to check on you two later!" He said in a happy sing-song voice as he got up, walked towards the door, and disappeared through the doorframe. Thankfully, he remembered to close the door.

I sighed in exhaustion. Who knew that conversing with a bunny boy could use up so much energy? It was Fei, so I guess I should have expected it, but still!

I returned my gazed to Tenma's sleeping form. It wasn't all bad. With our plan, Tenma would be able to rest and recover while Fei took command of the team. What would I say to him? He would definitely argue against me, so what would be the best route of reasoning to take? I didn't have much time to ponder this, however, because as luck would have, that was the time when Tenma chose to wake up.

His silver eyes slid open. They rested on the ceiling for a moment, but they soon came to rest on me. Confusion was clear in his tired, half lidded eyes. His sleep heavy brain was probably having trouble putting two and two together. Seconds later, realization and shock replaced the curiosity completely.

His eyes flew open completely as he bolted up in his bed. His body didn't have the strength to support him, however, and he began to fall backwards toward his bed. I quickly jumped up and caught his falling form. I gently leaned him against his pillows.

"Are you alright?" I murmured into his ear quietly.

A tired, "Mmm-hmm," was all he could muster.

"I was talking with Fei earlier," I said quietly. Fei was sure to catch his interest.

My suspicions were confirmed when he turned to face me curiously. "Fei was here?"

"Yes, he was," I responded lazily.

"What did you talk about?" He murmured softly.

"It's nothing that really concerns you, Tenma. We just need you to agree," I muttered slyly.

He took the bait a second later. "What do you need me to agree to?"

I petted his head softly, "You've seemed really burdened lately. Between saving soccer and Kirino-senpai's sickness, you've been stressed, right?"

He nodded slightly, "Yeah, I guess I've been. Why?"

I took a deep breath before I answered his innocent question. "Tenma, you need to step down as captain," I said firmly to him.

He looked at me, panicked and fearful. "W-what do you mean?" He looked to be on the verge of tears.

"You're tired, Tenma. You need rest. You can't remain captain while you're like this," I explained faintly.

"I-I can still be captain, Tsurugi. I-I'm fine. I-it'll all work out somehow, r-right?" He exclaimed weakly, his voice wavering at times.

"Tenma, you're a great captain, but how can you help the team when you're still recovering?" I told him reasonably. He had to understand now. If he stayed captain, there was no telling what it would do to him!

His eyes dulled when he realized I was right. "If I'm not captain anymore, would I still be able to play with everyone?"

"Once you've regained your strength, I'm sure you can." I tried to reassure him.

"I-I understand. W-when will I be able to become captain again?" He asked faintly.

"You'll be our captain again soon enough. Do you agree with us?" I inquired calmly.

"I-I guess I do," he told me weakly. His back had slid halfway down his pillow during our conversation, so he was looking up at me instead of across from me.

"Who do you want to be captain while you recover?" I continued. He murmured something inaudible to me. "Could you repeat that, Tenma?"

"I-I want y-you to be captain in my place, Tsurugi." He replied tiredly.

"I'll respect your wish, Tenma. I'll be captain until you're ready to become captain again." I assured the tired boy.

"I-I'm glad. Thank you, Ts-Tsurugi," he smiled tiredly.

"Rest, Tenma. You'll need it." I said quietly as I pulled his tired frame into a sleeping position. He complied and allowed me to move him without resistance.

Once he was settled in his bed, he leaned his head towards me. "I-I'm glad that you care about me, Tsurugi. Thank y-you."

"I'll always be here for you, don't you ever doubt that, Tenma," I responded caringly.

"I know. I love you, Tsurugi. Good n-night," he smiled faintly before he succumbed to sleep's power once more.

"I love you to, Tenma," I kissed his forehead softly. Then I realized what he had just told me. He said he loved me! The chances of that statement being true, however, were slim. He was tired, and he was also recovering from a panic attack, but he had said it, and that was good enough for me!

"I love you, Tenma. I won't let you ever forget that, but if you do, I'll be right there to remind you. I promise."

~Chapter Five Fin.~

Mega: *falls to the ground from exhaustion*

Kirino: What's wrong with Mega?

Shindou: This is the first chapter with over 2,000 words that Mega has written.

Kirino: Oh. I get it now.

Mega: *gets off the floor* It's done!

Kirino: Yes, it is. Now finish closing the chapter so we can go home!

Shindou: I would like it if you hurried up as well, Mega.

Mega: Fine. :P Thanks for reading this chapter, everyone! We'll see you next time!

Kirino and Shindou: Sayonara, minna!

Mega: Ciao, ognuno! (ognuno= everyone in Italian according to Google Translate. If it's right or not, I don't know. -_-)