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There Comes a Time	By : Gwenfarr Category: Prince of Tennis/Tennis no Ohjisama > General Views: 5768 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis (Tennis no Ohjisama), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Tezuka thought about everything that Mieko had told him. There must be something he was missing in the whole story, something left out; he just didn�t understand her actions. How could she just step aside, basically handing Fuji over to him, not defending her claim to him as his girlfriend? She loved Fuji, that much was obvious, so shouldn�t she fight for him? If Tezuka loved someone he would fight for them. His forehead creased suddenly. Did he love Fuji? He was willing to fight for him, wasn�t he? He didn�t know if he loved the tensai, but he intended to find out. Tezuka supposed he should not look a gift horse in the mouth, but loose strings always nudged at his consciousness. Mieko was one of them. Still, there were many more important things to worry about. She had said Hanaka had beaten Fuji. Beat him with a tree branch for god�s sake! What kind of insanity was that? And she had a video. A video of them having sex. Most people would be cowed by the very idea. Scared by the thought that everyone would know what they had done, that the team, the school, their families would find out. However, there was no fear in Tezuka. Seigaku�s captain simply became enraged. His eyes glittered fiercely when he realized Hanaka must have followed them, watched their most intimate and close moment. When Fuji had told him it was Tezuka that he desired, she had taped it to hurt one or both of them. That was what made him angry. Their most precious moment. The one that he treasured. When he and Fuji had finally understood each other and let down their walls, she had taken that moment, and was using it to try to destroy them. Hanaka should know Tezuka better then that. You didn�t push Tezuka and get away with it. His powerful inner strength would invariably rise to the surface, leaving you with no way to win. Now add to it that she had hurt Syuusuke physically. Tezuka shook his head. After everything that Tezuka had wrongfully put the elegant Fuji thru himself, she had gone and hurt him even more. Tezuka was having a very difficult time controlling the primal urge to go to Hanaka�s house right now and beat her himself, to hell with male honor. He closed his eyes, breathed deeply. He imagined Fuji bruised and battered, trying to call for him, to reach him but being unable to because a stupid trick of fate had caused Tezuka to change his phone number at the wrong time. The thought of everything that happened to Fuji in the last few weeks crashed down on Tezuka, making breathing difficult, his eyes swimming again with unshed tears. He blinked them quickly away, and came to a silent decision. One he was sure of without reservation. He didn�t care what happened to himself or to his supposed tennis career. Tezuka didn�t know what he could possibly have done to inspire such loyalty and such love in Fuji, but now he would protect Fuji, give him the protection, care and affection the tensai deserved, and nothing less. He packed his bag for school the next morning. Tezuka was fully determined to find Hanaka and have it out with her before the day was out.

Mieko found the entire house cleaned when she got home, Syuusuke sitting up reading a book while he waited for her. �Wow. You look so much better Syuusuke. You shouldn�t have done this.� Indicating the cleaned apartment. He nodded happily. �Thanks to you. Of course I should have. It was the least I could do. You�ve taken such good care of me.� She smiled, �It was my pleasure.� She plopped down on the couch across from him, her feet bent up in front of her, needing to keep some space between them for what she wanted to say. �So you are going to school tomorrow?� He nodded, �Mn. I don�t think I will go to classes. I think I would like to just go to afternoon tennis practice.� Before she got a chance to protest he amended, �Don�t worry, I�m not going to work out, just to watch. I miss the team, and I want to get the rest of my homework from Eiji before returning to a full schedule.� She could see the trepidation on his face, �Syuusuke. You must promise me to go and find Tezuka. You really need to talk to him, you know?� Fuji nodded, �Yes, but he and Hanaka�.� He didn�t get the chance to finish. �Oh forget that witch. Trust me Syuusuke, you should give Tezuka more credit then that. I was right before, wasn�t I? He is a strong and honorable man, just talk to him. What�s the worst that can happen?� Fuji chuckled, �He could tell me that he hates me because his life has been ruined.� She scoffed at him, �Do you really think he is the kind of person that would do that? You wouldn�t love him if he were.� She watched him nod, but she knew it was only a reflexive reaction. He obviously still held doubts. Syuusuke changed the subject, �Mieko��.You and I� It was very special to me.� She shushed him. �I enjoyed you. I have no regrets. Another time, another place, ok?� His eyes held many emotions, his mouth voicing none of them. She picked herself up off the couch. �It was special to me too. C�mon boy. Let�s pack your stuff. I�m kicking you out. I�ll give you a lift to practice tomorrow afternoon.� He chuckled, �Wow. Just like that Mieko? Do I even get a �Good Luck� or perhaps �Nice Seeing You?� She hugged him, kissed his cheek, �You get both. How about Sushi for dinner and one last Godzilla movie? � He smiled and nodded excitedly.

Tezuka went to morning practice, started his own laps early before anyone else showed up for the practice. He was focused and clear for the first time in many days. For the first time since Fuji left school for that matter. He didn�t feel good by any means, but he finally had focus. A clear plan, and a goal. Mieko had given him all the information he needed, and he felt more then up to the fight. Syuusuke missed him; he loved him. That�s what she told Tezuka at a great cost to herself, he was sure. That was really all he needed to know, he could handle all of the rest, whatever it was. His body relaxed into an easy stride, broad shoulders taking up a rolling gate as he continued with his laps. Hazel eyes fierce. After practice today he would leave early and make his way over to the ballet club to confront Hanaka. This nonsense would end today one way or another.

The morning practice went well. The only sore spot was the continual absence of their tensai. It just seemed as if the team always worked better when all of its members were present, all part of the whole. Tezuka was very proud of how they had pulled together and become more then just a team, and more like family. Tezuka proceeded to his first classes, Oishi at his side, keeping up their normal banter concerning coming competitions and their respective individual competitors strengths and weaknesses. Oishi mentioned, �But Tezuka, what about Fuji? What if he does leave Seigaku like Hanaka says? She�s been telling the whole school that she made him leave, its not a secret.� Oishi found himself jerking backwards as Tezuka�s eyes turned to him, angry and hard, �Fuji will be returning to school this week. He is not leaving, not if I have anything to say about it.� Oishi said, �Tezuka! You spoke to him?� Tezuka shook his head, refusing to tell anyone about running into Mieko, �Eiyeh. But I will deal with Hanaka, and I know Fuji will not give up his team without a fight.� Oishi nodded with a smile on his face. Yes, that was true. Tezuka was right. And he was happy that Tezuka would finally put Hanaka in her place. He and Eiji had never liked that girl. They were sitting in class waiting for the teacher when excited whispers and conversation raised, girls running in the door, exclaiming some news to each other. Oishi turned to look at the excited girls, Tezuka turning expectantly as well, one eyebrow raised. �Oishi-senpai! Tezuka-senpai! Hanaka came to school this morning with a black eye!� Oishi spun to look at Tezuka, not seeing his face change expression in the slightest, he turned back quickly as the girls continued, �Hai! Even with all the make up she put on you can see it. Its SO big! All black and ugly. Her cheek too!� Then the girls looked slightly embarrassed to say the next, �She says it was Fuji-senpai�s fault.� Oishi�s jaw dropped while Tezuka jumped to his feet exclaiming hotly, �Fuji had nothing to do with it. Do not spread that vicious rumor around.� The girls looked both awed and scared, they nodded quickly and disappeared from the classroom door, running to the next room to tell the tale. Tezuka sat back down, his hand clenched so hard it was shaking. Oishi said, �Tezuka. You don�t think Fuji had anything to do with her black eye, do you?� Tezuka looked at the surface of his desk. �You are Fuji�s friend. You know him well. You think about it and tell me, Oishi.� Oishi did as his friend asked, and shook his head, �No. Fuji-ko would never. Not on his own behalf. I can easily see him attacking a bully for hurting someone else, but he would not hit a girl, not even to defend himself. I don�t believe it.� Tezuka nodded, �I agree. Hanaka is spreading that rumor for her own purposes, that manipulative bitch.� Oishi�s eyes widened, �Tezuka!� he rarely heard Tezuka curse. He was always the perfect model of control, his captain was evidently very angry at the situation. �Oishi, if you hear anyone speaking of our team mate like that again, I expect you to dispute it.� Oishi nodded, a huge smile on his face, �Hai!�

During the day more news floated in and around the school, circulating freely about the marked and bruised up Hanaka. Tezuka knew exactly who had bruised up Hanaka, and exactly why. For once in this whole mess it was Tezuka who had all of the information. Tezuka hadn�t seen Hanaka�s face yet, but each time he thought about it, his lips quirked up ever so slightly, feeling a sudden raging desire to just hug Mieko for it. Tezuka studiously avoided any public places he might run into the model. He wanted to pick his battle field. He knew about the video now, and didn�t want to give her any excuse to damage Fuji more then she already had. Tezuka had ammunition on her as well, which he would use if necessary, but he didn�t want Fuji stuck in the crossfire. If Hanaka started yelling about what had happened between he and Fuji, he wanted no witnesses. Tezuka and Oishi had run into several of the other Seigaku regulars during the day but no one mentioned the story, either they simply hadn�t heard it, or they wouldn�t stoop to giving it any play. Tezuka skipped lunch using the library instead to do some course work, and to allow him to clear and center. The time alone doing wonders to erase the slight headache that had started, and to gather his thoughts and control around him once again like an armor. When the bell rang, he proceeded to the tennis clubhouse for what he hoped would a hard practice. He wanted to work out the kinks and his adrenaline before going to find Hanaka.

Tezuka folded his uniform, storing it in his locker, then took out the Seigaku shirt, pulling it over his head, arms finding the holes, then dragged it down over the muscled torso. He had just removed his school pants, and was trying to fish his tennis shorts out of the bag when he heard a loud cheerful clamor from the clubhouse main room. Cocking his head, eyes unfocused behind oval glasses, he tried to hear what was going on, but was unable to make it out. He pulled his shorts out of the tennis bag, putting one leg into the white fabric uniform, when the noises from the front of the locker rooms turned louder and angry. Yelling ensued, many voices arguing, an annoying girl�s shriek and then Momoshiro�s voice was heard yelling over all of them, �Fuji-Senpai! How could you!? You hit a girl! I�ll never forgive you.� Tezuka�s eyes widened to almost painful levels, his heart stuttered. Fuji was here? Pulling his shorts on the rest of the way as quickly as was humanly possible without falling over and breaking his neck, he raced from his locker, still in the process of pulling up the zipper. Tezuka turned the corner to find that all hell had broken loose in Seigaku�s club house.

Fuji was let off near the tennis courts. She told him she would drop his clothes off at the back entrance to his house on her way home, and would probably see him after his parents got home in a few days. Call if he needed her, but she was sure he wouldn�t. He watched the car pull away, and he felt more then a little nervous about returning to school. He had felt this was the best way, just showing up for afternoon practice. It would give him an opportunity to face Tezuka without having the troubles of dealing with Hanaka even knowing he was back in school first. His thoughts came too soon, and his best laid plans were for naught. A few girls passed him, looked at the tensai, whispered back and forth between themselves, then simultaneously whipped out their cell phones, the text messages already flying. Fuji sighed. �Well, that ends that.� He continued his trek across the courts to the clubhouse, a steely look in his eyes.

When Fuji opened the door and crossed the threshold into the clubhouse, no one even noticed he was there until Eiji caught site of him from the corner of his eye and started whooping with glee. �Hoi, hoi! Good to see you! Look at what the cat dragged in!� The rest of the room raised their voices welcoming Fuji back, and he smiled happily. He had missed all of them, and was glad they were happy to see him. He answered questions, said he wasn�t going to actually workout today, he just wanted to watch the practice, but he would try to slowly work his way back into form starting tomorrow. He told Eiji he needed to get the rest of his missing assignments, lots of jokes and hugs followed when suddenly the door to the clubhouse smashed very loudly. It was far beyond a simple knock, it was more akin to a pounding. Oishi calmly walked to the door, opened it casually, completely not expecting to find a raging, shrieking crazy woman and all her friends on the other side of the door. Poor Oishi�s green eyes widened, the pupils dilating. He held out his hands blocking the girls from entering the clubhouse. The other members of Seigaku came to the door some of them spilling out onto the courts.

So many things happened in a split second. Hanaka stood there with her once pretty face still slightly swollen, and visibly black and blue. The left eye was rimmed in dark black bruises, and partially closed with swelling, the bruise marks dripping in an ugly way down the cheek bone. She obviously bruised easily. Fuji gazed at her in complete astonishment, the marred visage causing his blue eyes to reduce to mere pinpoints. His brain hitched while figuring out whether to panic or to laugh or to wonder how the damage had been done. Meanwhile Hanaka�s right hand waved her cell phone while she shrieked for all the world to hear, �You evil little bastard! You thought you could come back to school without me knowing it!? I�ll get you Fuji!� She started towards him, thru the open doorway, but Fuji�s eyes took on a calm steelly look, he didn�t fear her. Oishi stopped her before she had a chance to enter the clubhouse, �Hoi! You can�t come in here!� forcibly pushing her back, �What is this all about? You can�t go cursing Fuji that way.� Hanaka turned on hapless Oishi, pointing to her face, �He did this to me! This is HIS fault.� The entire group of people boys and girls on both sides started screaming. Momoshiro turned to Fuji, �Fuji-Senpai! How could you!? You hit a girl! I�ll never forgive you.� Fuji gasped and took a step backwards, shock written on his features, �You don�t think that I did that?� While Eiji had his finger pointed at one girl�s nose, yelling in her face that Fuji would never hit a girl, he didn�t know what happened, but it was definitely a lie. Echizen said nothing, however he did kick Momoshiro in the shin rather hard. Momo yelped, grabbed his leg, hopping around on one foot, Oishi still pushing Hanaka back to stop her from bum-rushing Fuji. Fuji couldn�t believe what was happening. How did he get the blame for this? Did she do this to herself? He hadn�t even been here. Did Tezuka think he had blackened Hanaka�s eye? His stomach suddenly felt very ill. He wasn�t afraid of Hanaka, but he was afraid that Tezuka might believe her. Why had he come back here, knowing she would be like this? Suddenly a white blur passed Fuji on his right, blue eyes did not even have enough time to register the motion completely when the white blur organized itself into the form of Seigaku�s captain, as he appeared in the doorway. Tezuka�s left hand flashed out grabbing Hanaka�s arm by the elbow, lifting it up over her head, hoisting her body up off the floor with it, leaving the girl suspended, standing barely by just the tips of her toes. His voice silenced the entire group. �Enough!� When they had all silenced, Tezuka�s angry eyes turned from the marked face of Hanaka to glance behind him at Fuji, �You stay right there, Fuji.� Tezuka turned back to the problem at hand. Fuji gulped. He thinks I did this. Oh god, how could he think I did this? He could have taken facing Hanaka, or explaining himself to the team. The one thing Fuji couldn�t bear was seeing Tezuka�s face filled with anger and hate directed at him. Rather then waiting to see that possibility, Fuji turned and ran.

Tezuka saw the tensai and he was his first priority, he wanted to make sure Syuusuke didn�t disappear on him once again. �You stay right there, Fuji.� It never occurred to him that Syuusuke wouldn�t listen. He turned his attention back to the angry girl who�s arm he was holding. Tezuka didn�t see Fuji head towards the showers, but Echizen did, the rookie knew there were no exits that way, but he was worried about Fuji, so he followed the tensai. Tezuka�s eyes drilled into Hanaka�s, �You saved me a trip. I was coming to find you after practice. This has gone far enough, Hanaka. Why would you say that Fuji did this to you, when you know that he did not?� All eyes turned to him, She yelled at him, �Kunimitsu, you know he did this to me! It�s all his fault! This wouldn�t have happened if it weren�t for him. For what he did to us!� Tezuka�s eyes practically spit fire, his fingers leaving imprints on her skin, �HE did nothing to US. I broke up with you weeks ago.� She grimaced, �Yes, because of him. I have the video to prove it! He didn�t tell you!? You don�t know what I�ll do?� Tezuka purposefully made his eyes calm, his voice became a silky timber, �I know nothing of any video.� She answered, �Well I have one, If you don�t come back to me I�ll use it.� He smiled, �Of course I�ll be happy to oblige, but I don�t know what your talking about, and would like some proof. May I see this video, Hanaka?� she smiled and nodded, �It�s right here on my cell phone, Kunimitsu.� He deftly lifted the right hand and took her cell phone from her, seeing the video for himself, the first 5 seconds at any rate. He smiled slightly. It was a very good 5 seconds too. He calmly pressed the delete button, then released her arm, shoving her backwards towards her friends. Tezuka pulled the battery out, ensuring the complete loss of the video, tossing both to the ground at her feet.

Hanaka scrambled to pick up the pieces of her phone, now whimpering and cursing Tezuka under her breath. �What did you do, Kunimitsu!?� he answered, �You have no right to use my first name any longer, nor do you have a video Hanaka, and don�t bother to tell me you have a copy. I really don�t care if you do. You got that black eye because Mieko beat you up, not Fuji. She beat you because you attacked Fuji unprovoked with a tree branch! It was you who beat him, not the other way around, you did all this. You only got what you deserved.� Momoshiro looked at Hanaka shocked that he had been lied to, Eiji simply said �hhmmph.� To the girl he had been yelling at who now looked mortified, then the team heard their captain say, �Seigaku!� they all answered, �Hai!� He leveled hard hazel eyes at Hanaka as he said the next �Seigaku, if this girl or any of her friends comes near the tennis club house or the tennis courts again, they are to be escorted off the grounds. By force if necessary. If you see her menacing our tensai at all, anywhere, you will report it to me or to the nearest school official. Am I understood?� The team�s eyes glittered, all answered �Hai!� His next words made Hanaka�s face dissolve into tears, �Hanaka, remember those pictures you gave me when we first started seeing each other? The photos taken before your nose was surgically fixed and your lips enhanced? I will purchase full page space in the city newspaper and have them printed if you do not leave us alone.� Hanaka ran off, her friends trailing behind her, looking defeated and slightly confused. Tezuka spun to look for Fuji, but to his utter surprise, he was gone. He turned to Momoshiro, �Do something right today. Do not allow Fuji to leave if he comes back this way.� Momo nodded sheepishly, still holding his shin. Tezuka turned to look for the errant tensai knowing there were very few places he could be.

Fuji ran into the showers, spun around looking for an exit, any exit, even a window, but there were none in here. He already knew there wasn�t, he had no clue why he even came in here, except that Tezuka�s large frame had been blocking the only available doorway. Echizen grabbed his arm, drawing his attention. �Fuji-senpai! Calm down. Tezuka won�t think you�ve given her a black eye, will he?� Fuji brought blue eyes to bronze ones, �I don�t know. I haven�t spoken to him. You don�t understand Echizen. I can�t explain.� Fuji breathed deeply, got control of himself. He would just tell Tezuka he didn�t do it, really, that was all he could do. Just when Fuji thought he had found his center, the muscular form he had dreamed of all these nights stepped into the shower room searching for him. The golden brown hair glistened, hazel eyes found his own. Fuji�s courage evaporated, he turned and ran out the far right exit, down the short hallway and into Tezuka�s and Oishi�s private locker room. He knew there was a window in there! Echizen stood stunned as Fuji turned and ran out the far door, Tezuka suddenly broke into a run to follow him. Tezuka wouldn�t hurt Fuji would he? Echizen watched as his captain chased his senpai thru the far doorway, and Echizen knew there was only 2 places they could end up, either in Tezuka�s room or out the front exit, so he spun and went in the opposite direction they had gone, hoping to head one or both off at the pass so to speak, (whichever one that turned out to be) he had no idea what was going on, but he wouldn�t allow Tezuka to hurt Fuji. Echizen passed thru the main room of the club house at breakneck speed, Eiji and Oishi saw him run past, a silent look flashed between them then they took to the chase, following closely after the Ochibi.

Fuji made it into the locker room, pulled the table away from the window, and slammed the glass up hard, opening it wide. Then without a backwards glance, he hoisted his body up into the opening. Just as he was about to bring his leg thru, he felt strong hands grasp his hips, fingers holding onto him firmly, pulling him back thru. �Let me go!� He shouted, then he heard Tezuka�s deep voice behind him, �No. Fuji, stop.� He gasped, �Please. I didn�t do it. I swear Tezuka, I didn�t hurt her.� Fuji�s hands gripped the window frame, trying one last time to pull himself thru and out to freedom, but Tezuka was by far the stronger of the two. Fuji found his body pulled backwards thru the window and lifted into the air, both he and Tezuka became off balance by the shift in weight, Tezuka clutched Fuji to his chest as the two of them collided into the nearest wall. Tezuka�s body took the brunt of the fall as they hit the wall, and slid to the floor. Tezuka cradled Fuji as if he were made of spun glass. Fuji lost any tenuous control he had on his emotions, �Please Tezuka, I swear, I swear�..� Tezuka shushed him, holding Fuji�s face pressed to his neck, �Sshhh Syuusuke. I know you didn�t. I know.� Echizen had made it into the room in time to see Tezuka fall backwards into the wall, Fuji in tow. His face screwed up and became angry, left arm reaching out to help his senpai when he was pulled back harshly by both Eiji and Oishi who had just managed to catch up with him. Echizen turned to see who had stopped him and was startled to find Eiji smiling at him, his finger over his lips, telling Echizen to be quiet. Confusion ran rampant over the boy�s face when he turned back to see Fuji curled up in Tezuka�s lap, crying helplessly into his chest. Utter shock replaced the confusion when he saw his captain�s hand come up to stroke Fuji�s hair, calming him, caring for him. When Eiji and Oishi were able to pull Echizen away, his face wore a grimace much like someone who had just witnessed a car wreck. Not wanting to look, but unable to look away. He looked back at his 2 senpais still wearing the same grimace when Eiji said, �It�s okay Ochibi. They are just falling in love.� Echizen looked once more at the couple on the floor as Oishi ushered him out, closing the door behind him, �But Oishi-senpai. It looks painful.� Oishi nodded, �For some couples it is.�

Tezuka saw Fuji trying to escape out of the opened window and his heart alternately stopped then raced. He would not allow the blue eyed genius to disappear on him again. Not until they got some things straight. His hands grasped Fuji hips, refusing to release him even though he could hear Fuji yell at him to let go, and he felt Fuji�s desperation as he tried unsuccessfully to pull himself thru the window. Tezuka had to admire his strength, it took all of Tezuka�s to pull Fuji back into the room, the sudden give when Fuji let go of the window frame over balanced him, falling backwards into the wall he felt the collision as his back crashed into the wall, both his weight and Fuji�s slamming him into the immovable object. Tezuka didn�t care, the brief flash of pain was inconsequential. He could feel his arms were locked tight around Fuji. As long as he held on tight Fuji couldn�t leave, and he was just fine with that. Whatever else happened from here on in, he wouldn�t let go until everything had been said. �I swear, I swear�� He dimly heard Fuji saying he hadn�t been the one who hurt Hanaka I never thought you did. �I know. I know.� The warmth and wetness of tears on his neck let him know that Fuji was crying, then full out sobbing into his neck. Tezuka surprised himself by lifting his hand and stroking Fuji�s hair. Yet the simple caress seemed so natural. The one hand continued to calm the tensai, the other wrapped in an iron grip around his hips, he would not relax that one until he was sure Fuji wasn�t going to vanish on him. Fuji somehow had wound up in Tezuka�s lap, his arms like steel bands around his hips. But Tezuka wasn�t yelling at him, didn�t hate him. He said he knew Fuji hadn�t hit her. Tezuka was holding him gently, speaking softly. The overwhelming relief and the wonderful feeling of Tezuka cradling him made tears rise quickly to his eyes. But when he felt the strong fingers stroke his hair, he couldn�t help the sobs that wracked his body. Tezuka listened as the tears subsided, listened to the normal sounds of tennis practice going on outside. Oishi had taken over his place and was directing the team in his absence. Hazel eyes opened to gaze at the closed door, knowing someone had done that because he sure hadn�t, but he had been so absorbed in Fuji, he never noticed Echizen, Eiji and Oishi had even been present.

The tears had stopped completely now, and Fuji was relaxed in his lap, still his hand stroked the honey colored strands. Tezuka�s eyes stared blankly out ahead of him, his awareness turned inwards, taking stock of each inch of Fuji�s body where it pressed into his. He felt tentative hands draw up from their resting place on his chest, to snake slowly over his shoulders and behind his neck into the hair there, the fingers curling into the locks, then holding on tightly. The slight tugging sensation on his scalp felt not only delicious, but it was a sure sign that Syuusuke had decided he was not going to let go. Fuji slowly turned his face into the strong neck, his upper body turning in Tezuka�s lap so that his chest was now pressed to Tezuka�s own. Tezuka responded by wrapping his arms around Fuji�s back, holding him tightly and nuzzling his cheek against the soft hair.

They stayed that way for a long time. No words. Feeling each other breathe, holding tightly. This was most important. This is what mattered. They both understood that simple truth. Tezuka waited patiently, he could wait as long as it took. Finally Fuji�s muffled voice against his neck said, �You didn�t think I did it?� Tezuka shook his head, �No. I never did.� �How did you know?� Tezuka�s lips curved slightly, �I know you. You would never do that. Even if Mieko hadn�t told me, I would have known.� Surprised by the statement, Fuji pulled away to search his eyes. Tezuka nodded, �I ran into her this weekend by the athletic center. She told me what Hanaka did to you, and that she had made her pay for it.� Fuji was shocked, �Mieko did that?� Her knuckles! That�s where the bruise came from. Oh Mieko�. Tezuka nodded, �Yes she did. For what Hanaka did to you. She told me everything, Syuusuke. I�m sorry I was not there to help you when you needed it.� Fuji�s eyes turned hard, �You changed your cell phone number.� �Yes because I was trying to avoid Hanaka, not you. We had broken up the night we saw you two at the movies, but she wouldn�t leave well enough alone. I did call you that night as I promised, many times in fact. When you do get home you will see it for yourself, I left messages for you everywhere I could think of.� Fuji hugged him hard his face burying itself in the incredible smell of Tezuka�s hair, it was a mistake, all of it was a mistake. �So you didn�t cut me off on purpose?� Tezuka shook his head no. The fingers in his hair tightened in response, making Tezuka groan slightly. Fuji blinked then asked, his lips by Tezuka�s ear, �Do you like that?� Tezuka nodded mutely. Fuji voiced a low �Mmmmm.� He pulled away, then his lips descended onto his captain�s in an open mouthed kiss, one kiss flowing into another before they separated.

Fuji gasped, �The video!� Tezuka smiled openly, �It was good, did you see it?� Fuji laughed, �No. Was it?� �Yes. I only saw a few seconds of it, but it was quite good.� Fuji�s eyes questioned him, so Tezuka put him out of his misery, �She made the mistake of handing me the phone. I deleted it.� Fuji let out a breath of relief but Tezuka grasped his chin, forcing him to look into hazel eyes, �Even if it still existed, it would not matter. Do you understand?� Fuji was not convinced, �But your career, your family�.� Tezuka wouldn�t budge, �I make no excuses for my actions. I don�t expect you to either. This thing between us Syuusuke, we must discuss it.� Fuji nodded, trying to get off Tezuka�s lap, but strong arms held him firmly preventing escape. �Oh no you don�t. You will stay right here until we are thru.� Fuji smiled and nodded, Settling down more comfortably, causing a small moan to escape Tezuka�s lips.

Tezuka said when he could breathe more easily, �I have some things to say.� Fuji nodded for him to continue, �I don�t know what exactly is happening between you and I, but I do know it exists. It is real. I also know I want to follow it wherever it leads. You know I am a private person Syuusuke, and I would prefer what is between us to stay between us alone, but I will not run in fear nor will I forsake you or be embarrassed of us if people should find out. I despise everything that has happened to you. I want you to know that I will never allow someone to hurt you again, and I won�t betray you. You don�t deserve that kind of treatment, and you will not get that from me, I promise.� Fuji smiled so sweetly, touched to his soul for what Tezuka was saying. He was about to say something but Tezuka forestalled him, �One more thing. I understand how much you must care for Mieko. I don�t know what you feel for me, or what you want, but I will remain your friend if you decide you prefer to stay with her.� Fuji�s eyes took on a mischievous glitter, �If I do want to stay with her, can I still have you as well?� Tezuka�s eyebrows creased as he considered, �Yes, if that is the only way. Although I may occasionally get jealous, and I honestly don�t think she deserves that kind of treatment.� Fuji grinned, �You? Jealous?� Tezuka frowned, �I am capable of it.� Fuji chuckled, �Well don�t worry, you won�t have to share with Mieko.� Tezuka somehow knew that, given what Mieko had already said to him. Mieko wanted Fuji to be happy, but she was not the kind of woman who would happily share.

Fuji said, �When Hanaka found out about us I was so afraid. I thought you would hate me for ruining your life. I was so worried about the video and what it would do to you. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.� Tezuka studied his face, pushing a lock of hair behind one ear he said, �Hanaka said you were going to leave Seigaku. You would do that Syuusuke, to keep me safe?� Fuji nodded, �Of course I would.� Tezuka yanked gently on a lock of hair causing a small yelp to escape his lips, �Don�t do me any favors like that Syuusuke. Your leaving may or may not have �kept me safe� but it would definitely have destroyed me knowing that you did it, and why you did it, for my sake. Promise you won�t make any fool hardy decisions like that again.� Fuji�s happy face nodded. Tezuka continued, �Now show me where she hit you.� Fuji reluctantly let go of the hair his fingers were curled around to lift the shirt up off his ribs, revealing the fading bruise marks. Fuji watched Tezuka�s eyes fill with tears, as gentle fingertips brushed over them, �Syuusuke. I�m so sorry�..� Fuji pulled his shirt down, buried his fingers in Tezuka�s glorious hair once more, and covered the firm lips with his own. Hungry open kisses flowed one into another until the passion started to build. Fuji could feel the warm muscled chest pressed to his and Tezuka�s member stirring to life beneath his thighs as they rested on his captain�s lap. As if by mutual consent they pulled apart knowing this was not the time or the place for this, the sounds of tennis rallies still drifting in thru the open window over their labored breathing. But it was a promise of things yet to come, of territory unexplored. �Kunimitsu?� Tezuka shivered slightly with the use of his name, and he cocked an eyebrow waiting for Fuji�s question, �My parents are still away until Tuesday night. Would you walk home with me? Perhaps even stay a while?� Tezuka kissed him hard for an answer, then strong hands lifted him up off his lap. Fuji knew why. He knew the reason, and he loved him for it all the more. He could see Tezuka getting fidgety over his inattention to his team while they were practicing. Now that they had started to fix things between them, Tezuka�s responsibilities to his team became his priority once again. He grabbed his racket walking to the door, but turned to look back at the tensai, �If you disappear on me again Syuusuke, I will be very put out.� Fuji�s face wore it�s perpetually happy expression, and Tezuka had no idea until this moment just how pleased he would be to see it. Fuji said, �I will wait for you after practice.� Tezuka nodded and walked out the door and onto the courts.
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