Hey There,

Welcome back, anyone reading this right now. Thank you so much for taking a chance on this story, and reading this far. That means so much! But enough of my yakking! Let's get started.

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Kimi ni Todoke or any of the other trademarked things beyond this point. I am merely borrowing them for my own plots. They will be returned right after I'm done.

Dedicated to my friend Rose-Aki for inspiring me to write for these guys and not letting me give up! Thank you, girl! Seriously, You're amazing! This is for you!

"A Champion's Heart"

Chapter 3 - That Fire!

(Shota's Perspective)

I'm here for Ryu… I am… But I have to keep reminding myself of this fact. Right now, as I'm also looking at my girlfriend though.

It's tough staying focused on the game and hydrating everyone when I see SO many players on that other team treating my everything like there's something wrong with her. Or like she's cursed… or cursing them.

I hate it when anyone treats her like this. Watching that whole hometeam dug out behave so badly was just the WORST. I'd only remained in this dugout caring for all of our players by the grace of God. If I went near any of those homefielders… I might punch somebody and get tossed outta the game.

By the fifth inning of the game, the second where Ryu couldn't even get a chance at bat. His teammates sucked that BADLY! And they never got to him.

I could see Ryu starting to lose his steam, a little. He'd been carrying his team on his back all night. He was never able to pull ahead, because he was basically a one-man show out there. And he just couldn't make up for the other players not even trying. It was heartbreaking to watch for me… I knew how much he'd wanted this… It wasn't his fault his team didn't show up for the game. He couldn't help it that this other team was creaming all of his teammates. But as hard as this was for me to watch. It was impossible for Yoshida.

She was postal, trash-talking the refs, the other team and cheer squad for the other team too. And pretty much everyone's mothers were getting tossed in for an extra sting factor. She was holding nothing back and AMAZING for it.

It got so bad for Yoshida that I had to send her to water our cheer squad. Wow, I just made them sound like plants, didn't I? I think even plants have more brains than MOST of those girls though. They're so catty and mean, more than half of them are pissed about Ryu kissing her yesterday too. WHY didn't I remember that, BEFORE I sent Yoshida there? Practically into the lion's den!

I'd only sent Yoshida so she'd get her mind off things, and hopefully calm down. I thought it was a great idea at the time. She'd argued with the other teams cheer squad, not ours yet.

But of course the most jealous cheerleader of the pack. Had made some backhanded comment about, "Why hadn't Ryu just said he was into guys? Why did he have to bring this 'thing' around and call it a girl? Clearly there weren't any real women around his hometown."

That girl had gotten tackled to the ground, and Yoshida had been nearly thrown outta the game. Since she'd pissed off the refs, they made her go sit in the penalty box. This cage looking thing that's usually only gets used to contain angry hockey players. Don't ask me how it was even here, on the baseball diamond. But that was where she ended up.

I glanced over at Ryu, and because I'd looked at just the right moment. I saw it!

That fire lit back up in his eyes and suddenly… He was like a titan you read about in mythology. He had an ungodly strength, that even gained him the leading score at the back half of the seventh inning. It was only a lead by a few runs, but it was still the first time our team had stolen the lead all day.

But sadly even that might wasn't enough to earn a full win. And this was the only time our team held ANY lead, and it was quickly over as the other team scored run after run on us.

By the time the teams were shaking hands at the end of the game and we'd officially lost. Yoshida was in tears in that cage… she'd had to watch Ryu lose again. And she was blaming herself for this defeat… as she had others too.

But not only were all of the talent scouts swarming him more than any of the winners. But they were all amazed how he'd carried his team the entire game. Beginning to end and were swearing he would make a sensational pro. Something I've ALWAYS said, and believed.

But Ryu shook hands with the scouts, shook hands with the opposing team. And curtly said. "Excuse me." Before he demanded that the refs let out his girlfriend. And instead of hanging around and talking to ANY of these talent scouts. He threw Yoshida over his shoulder and carried her outta the stadium.

Everyone was surprised at this, but not me. And not anyone from our close-knit little group standing by either. We were all amazed it had taken him that long… when reporters had tried to hold him up and ask him questions about the game. He kept walking past them anyways. When they asked him, "Where could he be going in such a hurry?"

All he said was, "Home."

And he never let Yoshida even slip in his grip. Even though she was far from still or quiet.

Best thing about Ryu is that he was perfectly serious. He didn't intend to stay here on campus another minute he didn't have to. When he said home, he'd meant all the way to the ramen house his Dad ran back in our shared hometown. His Summer had officially began with the completion of this game, and now that it was over. He was outta here.

But Ryu was still getting pursued by reporters, classmates, and cheerleaders. And these dim cheer girls really though they still had a chance with him, even though he was in caveman mode. CARRYING his girlfriend on his back now. Unbelievably, all of these people were intent on stopping him. But he was simply gone and around everyone before they even realized where he was. Some of the scouts were mixed into that crowd too, representing professional teams or other college teams that could use a player like Ryu. BETTER colleges with better scholarship programs and teams that stood a better chance of winning. Not to mention several pro teams that were interested they were getting way too PUSHY, even an American team, the homeplace of baseball. Was hot on his heels.

Ryu was forced to make the shortest statement ever. Besides the word 'home.' When his coaches made him step up to a mic. And address all of these other people with a press statement, because he was determined to leave without a word. Even though he was the one EVERYONE was talking about. Not even a single player for the winning team was getting this hype.

He'd stepped up to the microphone. And ONLY put down his girlfriend and stood her up to speak into the mic and said, "Thank you for your interest and consideration. But I will not be a part of any professional team till I have finished out college. At this school, like I always planned… Thank you."

Then he'd picked her back up and really was gone, like a ghost.

Some people called it creepy, it had been that inhumanly fast.

Some people were convinced that Ryu has been a ghost this entire time like that movie "the sixth sense."

But all of us closest to him, knew he was fine and he was with Yoshida. As long as he had her with him, he wouldn't have a complaint in the world.

So I was finally able to stop staring at my girlfriend from such a distance. And I got to her too, she immediately took my hand in hers and pulled me into a hug. She'd kept it in the entire time, how miserable she'd been over here. And I just promised her, "I'll never put you through anything like that ever again. I promise."

Sawako, of course, tearfully insisted. "No, I liked helping and I liked scaring such big guys… but what I didn't like was how none of them wanted any of my water. They all thought it was cursed."

I told her, "Then give it to me."

"What?" She asked looking shocked.

"Give me all of your water out of your squirt bottle. I'll drink it all!"

She argued, "No! You can't drink it all!" Swearing, "It was too much for one person's bladder."

But I still stole it and downed it, just to show her how uncursed she is. The water was even a little warm from being in her hands for too long. But I didn't have the heart to tell her that. She was already in tears, I wasn't making that worse.

Once all the water was drank I told her, "Let's go grab dinner."

That was when Yano and Pin reached us and Yano had laughed, "I wonder if Ryu remembers we're supposed to be meeting up for dinner?"

Tooru reached us, laughing too as he guessed. "Probably not, when he said 'home,' I think he really meant home… to Dad." He'd even reasoned, "Little brother has gotten to where he HATES seeing Chii cry. He'll probably take her all the way home."

And I had to admit, "You're right, he probably couldn't stand it. And he's already sent most of his stuff home, the rest of it was packed up and tucked in a bag he had with him here. He could be heading for a train now."

Haruka spoke up, proving she is just as much a part of this group as anyone. "So the real question is, do we all follow their example or stay here overnight as planned?"

And we all agreed, "We're not THAT crazy, we'll head home tomorrow."

But like I said earlier, I knew my friends were okay. Yoshida and Ryu had been keeping each other safe longer than they've known me. No matter where they were heading, as long as they were together. They would be alright.

And as long as Sawako's cool little hand got to be kept in mine. I would be just as fine, I didn't doubt that. As if she sensed where my thoughts had led me, Sawako looked over at me, and immediately looked away to blush.

I made it worse telling her, "Looks like we'll have our dorm all to ourselves tonight, maybe."

And she'd adorably said, "Don't say it like that."

"Like what?" I'd asked grinning so big my cheeks stang.

She tugged me aside and told me in a hissed whisper, "When you say it like that. It sounds like you have unpure intentions or something."

And I had to do it, I had to say, "What if I do?" Just to watch her go through all the different stages of emotions with that admittance. And it was hystrical… especially the blushing happiness at the end of all of it. That let me know, she wanted this too.

I took advantage of her closeness, and kissed her hot little cheek. Whispering, "Later, sweetheart… but first, dinner. Right?"

And still a blushing BEAUTIFUL mess she nodded, "Yes… supper… important nutrients."

And I tugged her along with me and everyone else.

Dinner now, everything else could wait.

((Chizuru's Perspective))

I know I was bad! Okay?! I know that!

I know I could have behaved better, and that I had ran my mouth. That I had gotten way too carried away. So I expected Ryu to set me straight at some point over my badness. I was half expecting him to give my bottom a smack while it was easy access. But he didn't do any of that, not the first thing.

He must have been REALLY steamed. Because when I came outta the penalty box and went to hug him, he'd throw me over his shoulder instead. He didn't even let me hug him, before I was being carried all the way to the locker room, then all the way to his locker. Once he had his packed bag slung over the same shoulder as me. The strap going across his body. He kept going, never putting me down or saying a word.

Even though I'd apologized for zillions of things. And asked a million different questions too.

He only said, the word "home" when someone else asked him where he was going.

He did put me down to speak with the press, and I had been silent when he did that. But once he'd said his whole three sentences he'd summarized to explain his plight. I was airborne again, barely balanced on his right shoulder. And he didn't put me down till we were on the first train home… And no, I don't mean the dorms or just the place we would be sleeping either. I mean we were on a train heading to our real home, where we grew up. And when he put me down, he sat close beside me on the bench seating and asked me worriedly, "Are you okay?"

And I'd said, "Yeah… sorry I lost it."

"You were crying." He said like I didn't already know that.

"What else is new?" I'd brushed off, does he forget how much of a crybaby I am?

He'd brushed cool fingertips over my swollen under-eyes. And said, "You looked heartbroken… I couldn't stand it."

I let him know, "Because you lost… again… I showed up and I feel like that's why you lost."

But he made me look at him and he'd said, "No… You're the one who carried me this far."

"Why would you even say that?" I flipped out, getting shushed by an older man holding a cane.

I apologized to the senior citizen and said in a noticeably lower voice, "Why would you even go there?"

But he questioned just as confidently, "Why would you ever think you bring me anything even close to bad?"

I reminded him, in case he's forgotten, "Nearly every big game I attend like this one…you lose. I can't help but think I'm bringing you bad luck or something. Or maybe I distract you too much if nothing else."

I ended up leaning my head back against the wall as I confessed this. And looking up at the lights cause it wasn't his face. But leave it to Ryu to KNOW I wasn't meeting his eyes on purpose and STAND so he was all I could see. The freakishly tall person that he is now.

And he insisted, strongly. Never breaking eye contact, "You've got it all wrong Chizu."

"How do you figure?" I'd asked him.

And he insisted, holding onto my face. "It was only my thoughts of you, that kept me strong. Kept me motivated, and carried me this far, I never could have done any of that without you… Not any of it."

I told him the truth, "You're such a bad liar."

"Then you know I only say the truth." He claimed right back and leaned down till our foreheads were touching. He had to be on his knees to reach me this well, I was still sitting down. But I closed my eyes and he closed his and he whispered. "You're my fire."

"I'm what?" I asked as my eyes popped back open. And my made contact with right bicep. But he caught the blow like he was expecting it and latched onto my hand.

"You're that light inside of me that always keeps me fighting."

"You have a light that does that?" I asked, mystified.

And I could hear his smirk in his voice before I was looking at it. "No matter what the scoreboard says or no matter what the stats are stacked up to be. You're my fire, you're what keeps me fighting harder than anyone… that's all you."

He went on, "It's not the cake flavored chapstick, its the fact that it's your chapstick that made it lucky."

I said, honestly. "I thought you were just mega-competitive and stubborn."

And he'd ducked his head down onto my shoulder to flat-out laugh there. I went on saying, "What!? How is that funny? That's what I thought!"

And he'd popped back up swearing, "No!... I'm definitely both of those things too! … You're right!"

"Of course I am." I accepted as he looked me in the eye again.

And he'd amended, "It's when I doubt myself or start to lose steam that thanking of you always makes me want to fight harder."

"I make you wanna fight people?" I tried to read between the lines.

"No!" He's gripping his sides he's laughing so much too and the old man shushed us again.

I back sassed the old koot this time explaining, "THIS - GUY - JUST - PLAYED - IN - COLLEGE - LEVEL - CHAMPIONSHIP - AND - LOST! IF - DON'T - LIKE - MY - PEP - TALK! SIT - IN - ANOTHER - CAR - SIR!"

And he did, cursing under his breath about "kids today."

Even if a bunch of the other people surrounding us were now recognizing Ryu from the local newspaper. And they were all saying "Sorry about the loss."

Ryu had said, "It's okay." Like it wasn't anything at all.

I told them all, "He should have won, this man was born with a Champion's Heart. I still think you lost because of me-"

"Stop saying that," He said so firmly.

Even the older ladies on the train were like, 'Whoo! That boy is bringing it!'

Ryu told me, "If that's true then it's you who's got this heart. Because I know you stole my heart when we were kids… it's always been yours."

And he'd put his hand over my now racing heart and said, "See, all yours."

And I told him in a whisper, "This is not the setting to cop a feel. People are around."

And he laughed into my shoulder again, only this time he hugged me tightly while he was there and didn't let me go till we were nearly home. Which isn't a short ride really… but this maniac made it all seem a lot shorter than the trip up here had been. And even though I know it had been AGES. It didn't feel so long before we were walking into the family ramen house back home hand and hand. Getting hugged and greeted by Ryu's Pops, along with all of the smells of home.

Even though this has always been their home. I feel more at home here than anywhere else too. Pops, of course, set right from greeting us to feeding us. And mentioning that Tooru had called him and warned him that we were on our way home a night earlier than planned. Even though he and Haruka were arriving tomorrow. Thanks to this warning, Pops had waited to eat his dinner and even sat down with us.

It's hard to eat ramen next to a crazy man who sitting too close and pawing at both of your hands where his Dad can't see. All while looking perfectly innocent, and making me CRAZY!

How DOES he keep his face so BLANK all the time?! Even when he's being pure evil, like this!?

I'll never know! But the MOMENT Pops! Yawned and stretched, to announce, "Well, I'm beat! Great to have you kids home but I'd better get to bed. You both took part in a HUGE game today and traveled a LONG ways. You've gotta be passing out too."

I didn't even dare look over at him, I felt the shift in the AIR! And I said, probably a little too honestly. "Oh, if only."

Which had made both men chuckle as Pops waved, "Night, kids!" And still chose to leave me with his son. Probably thinking he was doing us both a favor… I kid around, but it was probably very thoughtful.

Because when Pops left he'd hit the lights, and only a very few small lights were still lit. And the second I did look at him and we locked eyes. We went together like magnets, and his lips crushed mine for a looooooooong moment.

When we ran outta breath and had to stop. He whispered, "If you're tired… we can sleep… Just please… do-don't ask me to stay away form you tonight… That… I couldn't stand."

I wrapped my arms around him and said, "Neither could I…"

But then I'd added, "But I'm not tired… and believe me… I've wanted to be with you just as badly as you want to be with me. I just knew if we started that before your game-"

"I'd missed the game." He'd finished for me. As I cradled his head resting on my shoulder.

"Exactly!" I'd agreed.

"Even if I did go and play, my mind would be on you the whole time… But it was anyways, it always is." He'd insisted.

I insisted right back, "I wanted to give you your best chance to focus… and even though you didn't win… I'm so proud of you, you played with your whole heart."

He leaned back and looked me in the eye saying. "Then your heart, because like I told you on the train. The heart beating here is yours…" He said putting a hand over his heart. "It always has been."

Then he put that same hand over my speeding heart and said, "Just like the one you've got here, is mine."

I did tease, "That would explain how it's always skipping beats or speeding up around you."

He'd smirked the teeniest bit, asking, "Even now?"

"Eeeeeespecially now, cause we're both finally gonna get what we've been wanting. Longer than just these couple of days too!" His face was so funny.

He asked, "Really? We get to finally be together?"

I reminded him, "I only said no before the game and before we were really home. The game is officially over and we're home too. So, now the only thing holding you back is you."

He'd full on smiled at me and said, "Not anymore."

Before he hefted me by my legs into his arms and carried me up the stairs. I told him I could walk myself, but he always gets like this when we get home… really home. I figured I should just get used to it now. And let him carry me… For now. I told him, "Get it all out of your system now."

"Why?" He'd asked when I wasn't kissing him.

"Well, when Tooru and Haruka are here, or our friends. You can't go around carrying me like this." I'd reasoned, it would just be rude.

But of course, he said, "Why not?"

So I informed him, "You don't want to be that rude to them."

"How's it rude if you're my girlfriend?" He asked, he even stopped walking and just held me tighter for a second in the hallway.

"Even if I was more than your girlfriend it would be totally bad-mannered and discourteous." I let him know.

"Why?" He said stubbornly. "You think none of them do this? With their matches? Or I haven't had to watch all of them carry their girlfriends off while we've been apart?"

"I've never seen them do that." I said as my hands came to rest on his chest as this angle he was holding me in was working on my back. Probably because this wasn't the only time he'd been slinging me around today. Earlier I had been slung over his shoulder. At least now he was holding me in front of himself and pressing our bodies together as he carried me.

He let me know, "Well, I have. I've had to see all the guys walk off with some girl they like. And I had to keep going back to my dorm with no you."

"So really, no girls at college caught your eye?" I asked, while he brought it up.

And he stood me up just outside of his sliding bedroom doors. Pressed our whole bodies together and said, "Why would I even look at one of them when I know this is waiting for me? Somewhere in the world?"

I'd somehow still managed to shrug against his titan strength crushing me to him. And said, "Not everyone thinks we make such a cute couple, or I'm even female-"

He said with an angry edge, "Then who needs them, I know I don't."

Then he said just as firmly, "I don't care what anyone thinks or says. You've always been my everything… and I will never love anyone the way I love you… I don't know how to not love you. Every part of you, even the ones that drive me crazy."

Then he kissed me and when he pulled away he said, "And I know you're female. I always knew that-"

"Yeah, but that's because of the baths we took together as kids." I pointed out.

He tried to warn me and said, "Don't make me say it."

"Say what?" I'd asked, even though I should have heeded his warning.

He said it, just to freak me out, "That I've made love with you and you are definitely all woman-"

"AHHHHHHHG!" I'd complained, "Too weird."

But then he twisted this, as only he can and made it sexy. Saying, "You're all my woman… and all I want or need, Chizu. How long are you gonna make me wait?"

"You're the one who stood us up here and not in your room." I let him know and he'd pushed his door open for me and gestured for me to enter with his hand.

I pulled him in with me as I teased, "Took you long enough." and we were finally truly home together.

(Ryu's Perspective)

I know we're gonna get teased tomorrow.

That even our closest friends think I'm crazy now.

But once that game was through all I wanted was to be at home and with Chizu.

I know my bro, sis-in-law, and friends would understand… even if they tease us first.

That they'd all still meet up with us tomorrow too, like we'd planned.

So that's exactly what I'd done.

I'd taken my girlfriend and hopped on the first train home.

It didn't even seem so long cause I was with her.

But I didn't feel at home, at all, not till we were alone.

Till we were finally back in my room together.

There, it didn't feel like too much time had passed…

Between the last time we were together and now.

It didn't feel like I'd fought like hell and still lost the game tonight either.

Laying there with her, I couldn't possibly lose at anything in life.

I would always come out the winner, as long as I get to keep her with me.

I'd wanted her and needed to be with her so badly by the time we got here.

We were both on fire!

Not real fire, it just felt as hot as the real thing.

We'd been 'together' twice before we even made it to the bed.

Once against the door and once in the floor.

And I was just realizing, my dad had told me downstairs before we came up here.

That my bed wasn't made because it had looked a little dusty and he'd washed everything for us.

I thanked him, but completely forgot all about till Chizu had started to shiver.

After our third time together had finally been on my bed but there were no covers to keep us warm.

Then I was kissing the top of her head and promising to come right back with everything that was missing.

They're still in the dryer.

As I pulled back on my pants to step outta the room in, I taken my baseball shirt.

Unbuttoned and left open like that, and draped over Chizu.

It would cover her and warm her till I came back.

And she told me, "Let the dryer warm everything for a few minutes before you rush back in here."

I kissed her again, I was so close I couldn't help it.

Before I'd grinned and assured, "I know what to do."

And I did, but she'd been right too telling me not to rush.

Cause all I wanted to do was become fast as the Flash, and race back to her.

To this place where she was waiting for me.

When I finally was convinced that the covers were warm enough.

I'd grabbed them and raced back as fast as my feet could carry me.

But in that short time, my baseball shirt had made Chizu cozy enough for her to fall asleep.

And while that probably sounds like a bummer.

It's not at all.

Not when I got to wrap up in those clean and warm covers with her.

Not when the second she felt me next to her, she turned towards me.

She wrapped her arms around me and pressed herself as close as she could get.

All while she remained sound asleep.

This was all I'd wanted…

To be where I belonged.

Besides the baseball diamond, there was no place on earth more made for then here.

With this person who I love more than life itself.

I had a hard time drifting off to sleep after that.

Just because I was so happy, busting at the seams happy.

And I was afraid to fall asleep and find out it was all a dream.

That I still had this game facing me and I was still sleeping alone in my dorm.

Well, Shota's across the room, but that's not the same thing as being with my girlfriend.

And even though I'm trying to be patient…

I've always been patient for her…

Whatever she needs…

I'm trying to give her the time and space she needs…

To chase her own new dreams of becoming a chef.

But I would marry her tomorrow if I could.

In a church, on the street, it didn't matter to me where it happened either.

As long as I got to promise to be with her always.

And I got to keep her with me forever too.

And we never had to have any doubt or distance between us ever again.

I knew we still had years before we could possibly do any of this.

But it doesn't mean I don't think about it.

Dream of it or secretly plan for it always.

If I knew her answer would be anything besides no, I'd ask again.

But I knew, she needed more time to pursue these new goals.

And to do it for no one but herself.

And I needed to support her the sameway she'd supported me…

Always cheering the loudest and talking the most trash if she saw me getting reamed.

But that's my girl, that's the girl she's always been and I've always loved her.

I didn't know how to not love her.

And I hope I never even have to pretend not to.

But finally, the long day of play and grueling lose began to hit me like a ton of bricks.

And I always find it easier to relax when I can feel her heart beating in sync with mine.

When I can hear her breathing and feel her breath warming the side of my neck.

Don't ask me how that does it, it just always does.

Even at nap time when we were kids, we always found each other in the pile of peers.

And fell asleep together, like this.

Somethings never change.

As the blackness of sleep finally took me over.

I tried to focus on the very real person next to me who wasn't a dream.

And I let the whole world fade away for a little bit.

That's all folks!

Well for this chapter anyways! But I hope it was enjoyable, more will be posted soon, and hope that this was a nice little trip down memory lane. With all of these AWESOME characters! Please write in if you have a moment I would love to hear from you! Hope you're having a GREAT day anyway! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85!