DISCLAIMER: I don't own Prince of Tennis

Author's Note:

Good Luck.

Few weeks after the eventful encounter between Tezuka and Yukimura at the restaurant, things drastically changed. Communication between them has become frequent than usual, but were solely contained on those simple 'his' and 'hellos' and the usual talk between captains. Tezuka has been content on just that. Yukimura on the other hand, though still unable to sort things out about how he truly feels, was trying to play cool.

Yukimura went back on being the formidable, feared, and emotionless Rikkadai tennis captain on the courts. Routines have went back to the usual, and the intensity of their trainings has been raised a knot higher. These didn't go unnoticed from Sanada and the rest of the team's attention, which the former thought was a good sign. It only meant that Yukimura, in one way or another, has been doing good on his personal life as well.

But if there was one thing that bothered Sanada, that would be the fact that Yukimura seemed to have set this visible and distinct gap between their relationship as captain and vice-captain and that of being friends. He didn't voice any of it, giving Yukimura more space to think. He just felt like the other needed more of it.

Days passed. Blunt, silent, aloof days.

Rikkaidai remained in their best shape, continued to soar to greater heights, and stood their ground as one of the legends in tennis. But deep under their unbreakable and iron-willed determination to be on top, lies a greater challenge that all of them has to overcome; the possibility of them falling down with the weight of everything else.

"So…how's everything going on between you and him?" Fuji asked, favoring to refer his nemesis not by his name. Even if they temporarily had a cease fire with all their bickering and cold war, Fuji knew he's not yet in the best of moods to open up friendship to the Rikkaidai captain. When he tried to ask himself why, he just couldn't find a certain reason.

Tezuka shrugged.

"We're good friends." he said, preferring to limit his answers into minimum just to make sure he wouldn't be giving out any more information than what he actually needed.

They were silently walking home together, the first time in almost 2 months of deciding not to go home together ever since the complicated relationship between the two of them had started to break out. With everything slowly going back on their right places, usual things they often do together had also been starting to go back.

"I imagined it to be a tough one." Fuji said, looking straight ahead, but focusing his attention to Tezuka's reaction.

Tezuka nodded in what could have been an agreement, but was actually an immediate response to something which he doesn't have any direct answer to. While Yukimura was a hard personality to deal with, he never did feel any sort of repulsion toward his presence.

"And I could only imagine Sanada on the same situation." Tezuka responded seriously, though Fuji caught the teasing tone on the remark.

"You bet."

"He's a tough guy."

"So am I." Fuji said with a smile, finally turning towards their captain. "Tougher than you could imagine."

Tezuka returned back his gaze. "I know."

They continued their walk in silence until they reached Fuji's house. Since Tezuka's house was still on the next crossing, Fuji's always done the honor to say his goodbyes first. They stood silently in front of Fuji's house before the latter finally spoke up.

"You know I missed this." he said, looking straight at Tezuka and hoping to find nothing in particular, though he knew his feelings were mutually shared.

Tezuka nodded with a smile but didn't say anything. He knew Fuji understood him.

"Uhm….would you like to come in? Perhaps for a cup of tea or something?" Fuji offered.

Tezuka considered the offer but eventually waved it off. Fuji expected as much, not feeling any sort of rejection from that. He knew Tezuka very well not to expect too much from anything. He had loved him just like that after all.

"Alright then..I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Of course." Tezuka answered, gesturing Fuji to come in first before he takes his leave.

Fuji shook his head in amusement. Tezuka never changed; gentleman as ever. But instead of getting inside his house Fuji decided to stay.

"I know this might be the worst time of all, and that you'll never approve of me raising this issue again, but I'm sorry. I really am. I know for a fact that I'm sometimes stupid. But that's who I am. I've annoyed you, angered you, insulted you maybe…but…I…that was just…it was…"

Tezuka sensing Fuji's confusion perhaps as to the right words to say raised a hand to stop him. Fuji did.

"Come here." Tezuka said, extending his arm telling Fuji to come closer.

The tennis genius hesitated but nevertheless obliged. Tezuka then held his hand and pulled him into a hug. Fuji stood stunned.

"What exactly are you doing, captain.." Fuji muttered, still stunned at the sudden contact.

"Affirming your stupidity, and giving credit to your genius." Tezuka replied. Fuji couldn't see his expression, but he was so damn sure Tezuka was smiling. He wanted to raise his head and affirm it himself, but the other seemed to have no plan of releasing him from the tight, but definitely not suffocating hug.

Fuji rolled his eyes. "If you did this a year ago, you wouldn't leave my place untouched."

That, made Tezuka slightly pull away. Fuji used the chance to look directly at Tezuka's reaction. When he saw the amused look and slight frown on their captain's face, he couldn't help but arch a brow in amusement.

"I'm being honest." Fuji said a matter-of-factly.

Tezuka shook his head, and bit his lower lip. He was debating as to what he should say if he really ever need to say anything in response to that statement.

"I..know you could be so direct on things…but saying things like that…."

"..is seductive?"

Tezuka smiled, fighting off a laugh that would have gotten out.

"Well…things are different now, aren't they?" Fuji asked with a sigh of relief. "I think everything that had happened was for our own good after all."

This time, Tezuka nodded in agreement.

As they parted ways that day, both were sure of two things; that they are finally moving on and that their friendship has become stronger.

Whatever doubts Fuji had with his feelings with Sanada has finally been cleared off. He loves him. And that's what matters most now.

Author's Note:

Alright ladies and gentlemen….so Tezuka and Fuji's conflict has now been settled…yes…finally…

Well, expect the final chapter coming after this. I know right. You might be once again having those wonderful punch lines that would throw me away from earth..but yes…I'm definitely ending this on the next chapter…

So…let's just see what happens next ne?