An Idiot's Guide to Ectopic Birth

Yukimura was quietly seething. To most people he might have seemed the same as he ever was, but his teammates could see the how tight his smile was, how tense his muscles were. He didn't say anything, though, until he was back at Sanada's house with Sanada and Yanagi, at which point he promptly picked up the nearest object (Sanada's favorite shouji board) and threw it at the wall.

"This is bullshit," he said, his calm tone of voice belying the darkness emanating from him. "Am I really supposed to believe that the third door of Muga no Kyouchi is having fun? If that's the case, a lot of people would be playing a hell of a lot better than they do now. I overcame an incurable, debilitating disease. I was never supposed to play tennis again. And some snot-nosed first year with a rotten personality beats me because, apparently, he's having more fun? Bull. . . shit!"

Yukimura picked up another object (Sanada's favorite tea cup) and threw that against the wall as well, where it shattered into pieces and joined what was left of the shouji board. Yanagi and Sanada thought it best not to say anything, only sat as Yukimura's breathing calmed down.

"The only reason he wins all his important matches," Yukimura muttered, "is because he's the protagonist."

"Excuse me?" Yanagi asked, confused.

"Oh. . . nothing, I didn't say anything." Yukimura took a deep breath, after which he seemed a little bit more composed. "Renji, Sanada, I'm sorry you had to see me like that. Sanada, I'll pay for back for the property I broke, of course."

Sanada only scowled as he picked up what was left of his beloved possessions.

"Hey," came a voice, followed by the sound of a bubble popping and Marui's head popping through the door, "are you guys done with troika private time yet? We all want to go eat."

"Let's go," Yanagi agreed, "we need to get our minds off the tournament."

That suggestion, however, was easier said then done. There was a definite dark aura around the Rikkai tennis club as they made their way down the streets, all of them stewing in their own thoughts, none of them saying anything. It was Niou who was the first to attempt to lighten the mood, saying something about going to Seigaku and stealing the trophy, but no one laughed or said anything back. Even dinner was tense, all of them picking at their noodles on silence.

"This is ridiculous," Yukimura finally said, throwing down his chopsticks. "We were supposed to be celebrating."

"Yes, well," Yagyuu said, "it appears that our plans were impeded."

"No," Yukimura said, shaking his head. "Not just about Nationals. After we won, I was going to tell you all. . . after graduation, I'm going to England."

There was silence for a little bit, then Marui's drawn out "no way." After that murmurs of congratulations sounded from around him. There was a sense of disbelief, but every one was genuinely happy for Yukimura, of course.

"I had wanted," Yukimura continued, "this to be a celebration of both things. But, if we can't have Nationals, at least we can cheer to me eventually turning pro."

"That's definitely something we can all cheer to," Yanagi said, lifting his glass and smiling. They all clinked glasses. After that, the mood was lighter, happier, as they all started to reminisce about tennis club and Rikkai and speculate as to what their futures held.

Later on Sanada walked back to his home, thinking things over. He already knew that Yukimura had plans to go to England. Yukimura had told him in advance, him and Yanagi, and he hadn't been at all surprised by it when he first heard. Tezuka was going off to Germany, Yukimura to England, and Echizen to the United States. Of all the students playing in Japan right now, those three seemed most suited to professional tennis. It was true that Sanada played, played well and with discipline, but tennis had never defined him as it seemed to define those three. It was equal in his heart with kendo and calligraphy, and if he had neglected those two pursuits in the last few months it was only for Yukimura's sake. To make sure Yukimura would be able to play in the tournament, once he recovered from his surgery.

It wasn't long before Sanada was back in his room and some one was knocking on the door. Sanada answered it to find Kentarou standing there, looking a little distraught.

"Hey, Gen-chan," he said, ignoring Sanada's scowl at the nickname, "sorry about Nationals."

"Thank you," Sanada said, attempting to close the door. Kentarou, however, stuck his body half through it so Sanada couldn't force it closed.

"Yeah, you know, I've been trying to call Seichi, but he hasn't answered?"

"He's been busy with the team," Sanada replied. "You know that."

"Yeah." Kentarou chuckled a little. "You're right."

Feeling a little sorry for his older brother, Sanada decided to try comforting him a little bit. "Besides, he's probably busy planning his move to England."

"His. . . what?"

Apparently that hadn't been the best thing to say, as Kentarou was now looking at Sanada with a shocked and somewhat hurt expression on his face. Sanada shifted nervously on his feet.

"I'm sure. . . he just forgot to tell you."

Apparently that hadn't helped either, as Kentarou only looked more hurt. Finally Kentarou shook his head, plastering a smile on his face.

"I'm going to go try to call him."

"You should do that," Sanada said, grateful when his brother finally left. He wasn't exactly surprised that Yukimura hadn't said anything to his brother. Yukimura tended to play his cards close to his chest, and it was hard for others to discern his motives or actions. Still, Sanada thought, even for Yukimura, it was a little bit cold.

* * *

"Hmm?" Yukimura asked, sipping on a bottle of tea. "I guess I forgot to tell him?"

"That's cold, Yukimura," Marui said, a small pink bubble popping before being pulled back into his mouth. "Isn't the boyfriend the first person you're supposed to tell?"

"I've had a lot of things on my mind," Yukimura said, a little defensively.

The third year regulars on the tennis club, minus Yagyuu and Niou, who were keeping each other company in detention, were eating lunch outside that day. There was a large tree that the six of them liked to frequent, shady and set off from the rest of the school. Quiet enough to discuss school and hobbies and tennis, without being interrupted by giggling schoolgirls or irritating classmates.

"Though. . . I guess that's why he sounded so mad when I talked to him on the phone last night."

Even Sanada was surprised by Yukimura's obliviousness.

"Honestly, when were you going to tell him?" Jackal asked.

"Actually," Yukimura said, "I was thinking. . . maybe it's time for us to break up."

There was silence as every one figured out to respond to that. Yukimura and Kentarou had been together for nearly three years, ever since they were all first years. By any standard, it was a long time to spend with another person.

"Geez," Marui said, frowning, "suddenly the mood here got so serious."

"Hmmph," Sanada interjected, "he was never good enough for you anyway."

Yanagi openly laughed at that. "Really, Genichirou, your antipathy for your brother never ceases to amuse me."

Jackal changed the subject then, so that they were all talking about something that didn't matter anyway. It wasn't long before lunch was over and they were all walking back to their respective classrooms. When Sanada got to his he sat down in his seat next of Yagyuu, who was already there and still wearing his disciplinary badge.

"How was lunch detention?" Sanada asked as he took his seat.

Yagyuu's eyes glinted a little bit, in a way that made Sanada quite sure that he didn't want to know why. "Fine, although I don't believe Niou-kun and I took it seriously enough. I had to assign us detention for tomorrow as well."

"Of course."

The rest of the day passed fairly quickly. Now that there was no more tennis practice, they had more free time to do other things, and Sanada was looking forward to focusing on his kendo for awhile. He was walking through the hallways when he caught sight of something in one of the classrooms. A student, sitting by himself, and a curly mop of black hair on his desk.

"Akaya?" Sanada asked, walking into the classroom. It was odd for Kirihara to still be there. He hated spending time in the classrooms, and was usually the first one running out once the teacher dismissed them.

"Sanada-fukubuchou?" Akaya turned his head to face Sanada, although he kept it resting on his arms in front of him. His lips were just slightly turned down, eyes somber.

"Don't you usually go out to eat with Marui and Jackal after school?"

"I don't want to today."

Was Kirihara still upset about Nationals? Sanada thought about kendo and the dojo and how he hadn't gone in so long, but then he turned to look at Kirihara, who was staring at nothing and looking like he wasn't going to move anytime soon.

"Come on," Sanada said, "let's go on a date."

Kirihara didn't perk up at all, but at least he got off the desk and stumbled into step beside Sanada. They walked to the nearest arcade, because Sanada didn't really know where else to take him. Soon Sanada was emptying quarters into the machines, watching as Kirihara played through the games half-heartedly.

Kirihara's features, usually so animated, were strangely still. His skin and eyes were bathed in the light coming off from the video screen, garish color combinations that always gave Sanada a headache. Sanada wondered what was bothering Kirihara, wondered if he should say anything. But every time he tried he found he didn't know what to say. So he tugged his baseball cap on a little bit lower, shifted awkwardly, and didn't say anything.

It only took an hour before Sanada's wallet was emptied out. They walked home in silence, the same way they had spent most of their afternoon. Finally, Sanada stopped, watching as Kirihara took a few steps forward before realizing Sanada wasn't there and turning around.

"Don't worry," Sanada said, "you'll win Nationals next year."

"Mmm. . . yeah, I know."

They stared at each other for a few moments. Was he wrong, Sanada thought, in thinking that Kirihara was upset about tennis? He was trying to think of what to say next when Kirihara started talking on his own.

"Is Yukimura-buchou really breaking up with your brother?"

"Maybe," Sanada said, wondering why Kirihara would care about Yukimura and Kentarou's relationship.

"I've been thinking. . . Niou-senpai was saying stuff about how most couples our age don't stay together. And now Yukimura and Kentarou are breaking up, even though they always get along really well. And, I thought, we're always fighting, and I don't even like you at all half the time."

Sanada's eyebrow twitched at that.

"We're not even dating, really. So how long can this thing between us really last, Sanada-fukubuchou?" Kirihara looked away, his face contemplative.

Sanada shifted his feet, feeling a little bit awkward. Eyes looking off to the side somewhere, his hands reached up for his baseball cap, tugging it off and plopping it down on Kirihara's head. Kirihara looked up at him, confused.

"After you graduate," Sanada said, watching as Kirihara adjusted the cap over his curls, "we should get married."

"Really?"

Sanada nodded. "It's my responsibility to make an honest man out of you."

Kirihara smiled at that, his arm wrapping around Sanada's as they continued their walk home.

Once Sanada got home he opened the door, only to blink, confused, at the sight of Yukimura and Kentarou in the living room, happily looking through pamphlets.

"Oh, Sanada," Yukimura said, smiling softly, "I changed my mind about breaking up with Kentarou."

Kentarou, grinning like an idiot, held up a pamphlet for Sanada to see. "I'm going to study abroad in England!"

Sanada gritted his teeth as he walked upstairs. Maybe next time. . . maybe next time, they would actually break up for real.