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Learning to Land	By : Suteishichic Category: Prince of Tennis/Tennis no Ohjisama > General Views: 11419 -:- 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
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Learning to Land. Chapter Fifty One ~Oshitari~

Warnings: Yaoi, Love, Angst, Fluff, and Lots of Sex. Some kink. You've been warned ;)

Disclaimer: Nope not mine. Still in my dreams. ;)

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Yuushi woke up soon after falling asleep, completely stunned.

Gakuto had Yuushi's erection deep in his mouth and he smiled around it. He noticed Yuushi was awake. He took his mouth off and he said, "Come in my mouth Yuushi, wanna watch you come..." Gakuto looked the perfect devil. He looked elated at having brought the exhausted tensai this close while he slept. And Yuushi was close. Nearly too close to stop himself this time. A million worries filled his mind and cast a shadow over his heart. Gakuto's clever tongue and lips again started moving on him, licking him, sucking him, tasting him.

Yuushi despite himself, moaned.

All that time being hard, all those times with no release, Gakuto had to know was getting to him. Yuushi tried to think or speak coherently but the tensai felt so good that he couldn't. Then he saw Gakuto clearly. While his mouth was on Yuushi, Gakuto was turned on and enjoying himself. He was stroking himself, and had positioned himself so Yuushi could watch him touch himself while he pleasured Yuushi. He wanted Yuushi to watch him.

It was the most erotic image Yuushi had ever seen, but all he felt like doing was crying out of pure frustration. Instead of tears, the sensations from Gakuto's mouth had him moaning again.

Gakuto smiled again, "Yeah, Yuushi. Come on. Come for me." Gakuto again took him deep in his mouth.

The tensai groaned and felt his body trembling. He felt sick again and dizzy, and he seriously worried about urinating. Especially in Gakuto's mouth. Gods. Gakuto would never, ever forgive him if that happened, even by accident. Automatically, Yuushi moved his hand down fast, so fast he didn't even think about it. Gakuto kept his mouth on him but flinched as if expecting the tensai to strike or hit him.

This for a moment confused the tensai even in his panic. Yuushi wasn't going to hit him, not ever, and he was too far gone to stop Gakuto. Instead he clamped his strong hand around his base an instant before he came. Yuushi dry orgasmed hard in Gakuto's mouth while Gakuto looked shocked up at him. All Yuushi moaned while he shuddered, as if in protest was, "Nnnnn...!"

The instant it was over, the tensai felt terrible.

He had no idea Gakuto would do that but in retrospect, realized he should have been prepared and expected it.

He sat up and reached for Gakuto. Yuushi said, "I'm sorry...!"

Gakuto had already slipped through his fingers. "Don't. Don't say ANYTHING!" Gakuto was so angry he was shaking. To Yuushi's shock, the little redhead was so angry his entire body was shaking, but he looked like he was closer to crying than hitting him. "If you say one word, ONE, I'm gonna say something that will really hurt you so just shut the hell up!" Gakuto practically growled at him in a low menacing voice, then he stood there as if daring Yuushi to try.

Yuushi forgot to speak. He forgot to even breathe.

A long moment passed.

Gakuto finally spoke. Quietly he said, "I need to eat. Go shower Yuushi." Yuushi went to tell him to shower first, and maybe Gakuto could calm down, but then he thought better of it. "You first Yuushi! Go!"

All the tensai wanted to do was to curl up in his bed and perhaps shed a few tears. He felt terrible. He was the worst. He might as well be impotent. Hell, he might as well just be a girl. He couldn't find his voice let alone his feet.

"Don't you dare cry, Yuushi! Don't you dare make me feel bad for you not doing what you said you were gonna do!" Gakuto looked now like he was going to hit him. Yuushi watched as through sheer force of will, Gakuto kept from striking him. The tensai knew, this time, if Gakuto hit him, he was angry enough that he wasn't going to hit him softly. In a way Yuushi wanted him to, and the moment he realized that, he realized that Gakuto didn't like him weak or damaged. He suddenly knew that was why Gakuto was so angry the last time Yuushi let him hit him. Gakuto wanted an equal, not someone he could bully, and not someone so damaged he let people he loved hit him.

In response, Yuushi stood though his knees felt shaky.

This incredibly seemed to visibly calm Gakuto down quite rapidly. The little guy took a deep breath and explained, "I said I wouldn't go anywhere without you. I need to eat. Go." Yuushi paused only for a moment at the bathroom door. Since moving in together, they had not closed it. They had taken every bath and shower together. "Hurry up! I need to shower too!" Gakuto crossed the room and took the doorknob in his small, strong hand. "I'm not talking to you!" he hissed at the tensai and slammed the door decisively closed between them.

Yuushi showered fast. He wondered as he did if Gakuto was touching himself, and the tensai visually recalled that Gakuto had lost his erection in his anger. He suspected Gakuto was only trying to calm himself down. Yuushi had lost his erection in his feelings of despair, although he wondered for a moment if he should make himself come. Then at least he would know what would happen. If Gakuto ever gave him another opportunity again, the he would at least know what would happen. If it ever happened. Really, it could go either way depending on how exactly angry Gakuto was. Or how much Gakuto really cared or felt.

Yuushi knew it wasn't just anger. Gakuto had seemed almost embarrassed. Yuushi wasn't sure if he felt ashamed for Yuushi or if he just felt that all these sweet efforts he was making were being rejected by the tensai. Yuushi had to keep himself from punching the wall in anger at himself. It would serve no one any good if he broke his playing hand and was dropped.

The tensai quickly finished showering and wrapped a towel around himself. He came out of the bathroom but said nothing because he wasn't sure if he was allowed to talk yet. Gakuto was sitting at his computer and to his surprise said, "Hey, come here."

Yuushi looked surprised at him.

"It's a time out, stupid! Get over here. This could be serious. I need you to look at this." Yuushi walked over. Gakuto looked at him intently, "How fast can you really read?"

"Fast," Yuushi said though he did not understand why. "I can read a book in an hour or two. Why?"

"Your memory, the photographic part, how long do you need to see something to remember it?" Gakuto was very serious and seemed upset. "If I start my computer can you remember everything it says? All the numbers? Everything?"

Yuushi creased his brow in thought and nodded. He was fairly sure he could. His tutor had honed his natural abilities in that direction for years. "Yes. I can try."

Gakuto started his computer and had Yuushi write down what he saw after it started. It took several moments for the tensai to write all the information down. When Gakuto looked at the page, he cursed. Then he pointed to Yuushi's desk. "Turn on your computer. Tell me if you notice anything out of place from normal." Gakuto was already turning his off, unhooking the power source, and popping his laptop open. He dug through the guts and cursed more.

Confused, the tensai did as he was instructed. Immediately he noticed several numbers did not match though he never really noticed them before. Then when it was started, he noticed all his files were there, but several were disarranged. Everything he had password protected specifically was out of place in his files. He told Gakuto who was already cursing up a storm. The little redhead threw his laptop still gutted down on his desk.

"Yeah. Me too. Did you have anything bad on your computer?" Gakuto looked at him and seemed to be upset.

Yuushi shook his head no.

"Yuushi! Think!" Gakuto looked worried, "Anything about me or anything about your past on your computer?"

"No. Honestly. Nothing. I don't need to keep written records. My email and schoolwork I keep password protected in case someone here steals it, like you told me to, but nothing sensitive. I'm using your password program that you gave me." Gakuto had warned him long ago, that this being Hyoutei, student's computers could be easily hacked into or stolen and all their hard work turned in by another student. Or even a jealous teacher. The tensai took that warning to heart and Gakuto had given him software and a program that rotated passwords on a regular though seemingly random basis. It was nearly unhackable, and if it was breached, it time-released a nasty virus that destroyed everything.

Gakuto sighed annoyed, "I'll check yours later, but this isn't my computer and that's probably not yours. They couldn't get through the passwords so they copied my my drives, took it apart, and switched it with a clone. That's why the numbers don't match and why it's on the wrong password. It shouldn't have changed until tomorrow for me, but they screwed up the date and it wouldn't let them change it back when they installed this. They probably did the same thing to yours. Don't worry. I don't keep any files here, I store them somewhere else, and I never updated with any of the information you told me." Gakuto swore a few more times. "I'm going to shower."

"I'm going to call Atobe." Gakuto looked surprised at him. Yuushi knew his roommate loved his computer and what he could do with it. The little redhead was so upset about it though that he was missing the larger picture. Yuushi said quietly, "I've never had my computer out of the room, since we moved in here. If both yours and mine have been tampered with, then someone else has been in here."

Gakuto looked shocked at him, and then afraid. Yuushi felt anger at whomever dared to do this. Sato wasn't smart enough, but whoever it was, Yuushi was furious at. He and Gakuto had enough to work out and enough problems without stupid minute Hyoutei distractions. The tensai said in a soothing tone, "I'll call Atobe. Perhaps we can sleep at Jiroh's tonight if we can't get the locks changed by this evening. Don't worry, we'll find out who did this." Yuushi looked at Gakuto standing there small, naked, and afraid. He wanted to take him in his arms, but knew this wasn't the time. "The best thing we can do is act like we haven't noticed. Go shower and get dressed. You're hungry, remember? Don't worry. I'll keep you safe. I promise."

After a moment of standing there, Gakuto went off to shower, shaking his head as if in awe or maybe dismay. Yuushi heard some curses muttered, and noticed that Gakuto kept the bathroom door open a little, as if worried.

Yuushi picked up his phone and called Atobe.

They left for lunch a few minutes early. Gakuto hurried showering, and Yuushi mused one of the nice things about wearing a uniform everyday is you always knew what you were going to wear.

They met Atobe as planned at the elevator. Jiroh was with him, but only seemed half awake as usual. The sleepy guy was leaning against Atobe as if their Vice Captain was all that was keeping him standing. The daytime Jiroh was completely different from the night version of him. That guy was full of energy to the point of hyper-activity, but this half asleep one would probably not remember their conversation. Despite his nearly split personality, Yuushi liked Jiroh as a person. It was actually hard not to like the guy.

Jiroh took his daytime sleep issues in stride. Most would curse their fate and struggle with it. He accepted it, and thrived despite it. He was kind, personable, and though when awake he was easily excited and tended to be on the loud side, Jiroh was sincere. To the point of what you saw with Jiroh was exactly what you got. He was who he seemed to be.

At Hyoutei, that was a rare find in a person. Some people, jealous peers, Yuushi had heard say, of course Jiroh was like that, he could afford to be. It was true that if Jiroh never worked a day in his life, he was still financially set to live in style. But Yuushi, knew first hand money did not bring or buy happiness. His family was wealthy and he had grown up fairly miserable. His parents, despite their wealth and status, he knew were not happy people, and despite the platinum spoon in his mouth Jiroh was born with, the guy never relied on it. He struggled for grades like everyone else, harder with his sleep issues, even though he really did not have to. He planned for a future and college, although he could have just coasted. He never looked down on others for not having what his family had, and in fact, he was generous with his time and money to a fault. He was the kind of guy that would do anything for a friend.

He was intensely loyal to his friends and to Atobe who had his heart. Jiroh made no secret of his feelings for Atobe, although the fangirls, cheerleaders, and their little sisters refused to accept the obvious fact that the two were lovers. To anyone who asked, Jiroh called Atobe his best friend, but always it was the way he said it and the way he looked at Atobe, that let you know they were really much more. As much as Atobe complained and acted put upon by Jiroh and his narcoleptic tendencies, it was quite clear to Yuushi that Atobe was as deeply smitten with Jiroh. Although the tensai noticed to his sorrow, Atobe, as often happened in many of the romance novels Yuushi had read, was not aware of how deep his own feelings for Jiroh were. Their Vice Captain frequently took Jiroh for granted.

Jiroh wasn't the kind of guy to complain though. Atobe would hurt him by chasing after another, like he did with Shishido, and Jiroh would just back off until Atobe called for him again. Yuushi, being the romantic he was and being in love for the first time himself, wanted everyone around him to be in love too. It saddened him to see Jiroh's loving heart often being broken by Atobe being selfish and negligent. It saddened Yuushi because he knew from the books he read that even Jiroh, with his seeming endless patience and giving heart, would one day soon reach a breaking point with Atobe and leave him. Jiroh and Atobe were good together. Clearly Yuushi could see this and he told himself for the hundredth time to have a talk with Atobe. Unless there were things the tensai hadn't seen, Atobe would miss Jiroh terribly when he was gone. Even worse than he ever missed Shishido.

Yuushi had watched Atobe with Shishido carefully. The two physically looked beautiful together. They looked like two models, and when they stood near each other, the sexual tension that poured off them made even Yuushi fantasize about being naked in the middle of the two when their bickering stopped. Together they had a lot of passion, a lot of anger, a ton of sexual heat, and not much else going for them. Their backgrounds were diametrically opposed, their viewpoints were from complete opposite ends of the spectrum, and each of their needs the other was incapable of meeting. Atobe was everything Shishido hated, and Shishido was everything Atobe rejected. And yet...

And yet, the two could not seem to put to rest the electricity, the raw sexuality that danced and flickered between them. It smoldered and threatened to burn each of them whenever Atobe glanced Shishido's way.

He glanced often and longingly, and he did so right in front of Jiroh.

It wasn't that Atobe was cruel so much as he was obtuse. It never occurred to him that Jiroh wouldn't be looking elsewhere no matter how hurt Jiroh looked when Atobe looked at or spoke to Shishido. It never occurred to Atobe that Jiroh might leave him, or that Atobe should try to be faithful. The tensai knew that much like people expected Yuushi to be smart and have all the answers all the time, they looked to Atobe in the same way. Atobe, though he would never admit this to himself, was just a guy though. He had flaws and made mistakes just like everyone else.

Yuushi noticed that Shishido had long ago stopped looking at Atobe. Shishido wanted distance, space, and maybe time to heal and move on. All Atobe gave him were burdens. He demanded time, effort, and loyalty from Shishido when it was clearly the last thing the temperamental guy needed. Yuushi wasn't sure why Atobe specifically chose for Shishido to sponsor and be a big brother to Ohtori, but the tensai knew with their Vice Captain there was a very huge, very planned reason.

It would be a part of Atobe's master plan to draw Shishido inexorably closer to him. The closer Atobe tried to keep him, the more Shishido struggled to get away, and the less either of their needs were being met. Atobe could see people's flaws clearly, except like most people, he simply couldn't see his own flaws. Just like he couldn't see that what he wanted, Shishido would never be able to give him, neither could their Vice Captain see that the largest reason he wanted Shishido, was because he couldn't have him.

Yuushi of course was able to think all of this to himself because the moment Gakuto stepped out of the shower and began to dress, apparently the the "time out" was over and he was not speaking to him again. The tensai wondered if there was a list of written rules about this game somewhere. Perhaps online and he could search once they figured out what to do about their computers. He considered the possibility that these rules were being made up by Gakuto as he went along, but the last few times he was "never speaking to Yuushi again" in front of the other club members, everyone else seemed to know about this kind of thing. Everyone except for Yuushi, who surmised that he would have to search for a rule book after all.

Gakuto may not have been speaking to him, but previously, he would answer Yuushi's questions. Apparently the tensai's transgressions were more serious this time. As they went to leave the room, Yuushi asked as he always did before locking the door, "Do you have everything, Gakuto?"

He received a cold look just before Gakuto turned his back on him and walked out the door. Yuushi knew better than to sigh as he locked the door and followed along. The tensai was amused at the irony of locking a door someone perhaps dangerous had a key to, but he did it because this was Hyoutei. Nothing would probably be stolen, but Yuushi knew first-hand the dangers of giving a rival free access to tamper with your things.

Yuushi suppressed a yawn that might turn into an audible sigh, knowing it would only make his punishment last longer. Even though now the tensai grasped when Gakuto said he was never speaking to him again meant until he actually decided to, Yuushi was still feeling very upset about everything. From Kiyoshi, to their computers, to Gakuto's safety, to Yuushi's inability to function, to Gakuto's not speaking to him again, the tensai felt nearly overwhelmed with problems. He wondered how Atobe handled so many problems at once. Yuushi again felt both pleased he was not the one dating Atobe, and a wave of empathy for Jiroh whose craziness, love, and loyalty, Atobe really needed.

They were early, but Jiroh and Atobe were already waiting at the elevator when they arrived. Atobe told everyone else around to take the stairs and the four of them got into the lift. Atobe using his key between floors, stopped the elevator silently so they could talk. Atobe quickly said, "You'll stay the night at Jiroh's just to be on the safe side, they will change your locks during classes tomorrow morning when no one is around. Tell no one so we can see if we can catch the person who did this in the act. Do you need new computers?" Atobe asked.

Yuushi realized the Vice Captain was being both generous and practical. If their grades fell, they would be dropped, well if Gakuto's did in any case. "No. I'll take care of them." Yuushi said having already thought of this.

"Both of them?" Atobe said raising one eyebrow slightly. Yuushi nodded. "And you're okay with this?" Atobe turned to Gakuto.

Gakuto shrugged, "Hey, he offered. It's his money." Yuushi was relieved. Not that Gakuto's family was poor, but it was a big expense and they did have two other children in school. Yuushi's parents could more than afford it. Gakuto adored his computer, and Yuushi didn't want him without one, but the tensai had worried when it was brought up that Gakuto would not allow Yuushi to buy him one. If that had happened, Yuushi was going to buy two in either case and let Gakuto "borrow" the second until the fiery redhead claimed it as his own. This would be both nicer and easier as Gakuto could choose whatever he wanted.

Atobe asked, "Have you noticed anything else out of place or is there anything else you remember?" Neither one of them had. They had each spoken to Atobe earlier on the phone and tried to calculate when someone could have come into their room and done this. It could have been at anytime they were at class or practice. There was really nothing more to say so Atobe started the lift again.

Jiroh yawned, "Here's my spare key. Use whatever you want, I won't need to go back there until tomorrow. Oh. Don't play the Barry White CD on my jukebox. It keeps skipping." He yawned again and leaned on Atobe more, "Mmm...I gotta change that when I get a chance. You were supposed to remind me, Atobe."

Atobe said very amused and softly, "Sorry, what was I thinking? How could that possibly have slipped my mind?"

Jiroh grinned, "You can buy me lunch to make up for it."

Atobe rolled his eyes and said as they got out of the elevator, "Don't I always?" Their Vice Captain was smiling though as he walked first off.

Yuushi followed Gakuto to one of the lunch lines. He had his card in hand already and was going to offer to buy Gakuto's lunch, but considered after the computer offer, Gakuto might protest. Hyoutei had a card system where money was put on the cards by the parents, and you swiped them at the end to pay for what you bought in the school sundry store, the laundromat, the food halls, the vending machines, and the bookstores. No cash was supposed to be carried around the school grounds but everyone always did. Gakuto stood for a moment in the doorway and gestured for Yuushi to walk ahead of him in line. The tensai was not sure why, but did as silently told. He was thinking Gakuto didn't want him to pay for his lunch but it seemed to be something more. Yuushi out of habit ordered what everyone else was having, although he detested it.

"Stop." Gakuto said. He turned to the kid behind him, "What are you having?"

The freshman stammered shocked probably at having the popular and infamous sub-regular Mukahi-senpai actually speak to him. He turned a deep red color and stammered, "Th-that...the special...senpai!"

Gakuto yanked the tray with the plate out of the tensai's hands and handed it to the boy. "There you go. You can go ahead of us." The freshman stammered out a thank you, his friends whispered in awe at him behind them. "What were you gonna get?" Gakuto asked quietly. Yuushi looked at him and didn't know what to do or say. "Yuushi?" Gakuto hissed, "Not what everyone else will order, if you could order anything, what would it be?"

Yuushi quickly mentally reviewed his choices. They were grim that day. "A salad?"

"Get what you would get and get me the same." Gakuto ordered him quietly. The tensai complied, but wondered what was going on. He got two of everything food-wise, but let Gakuto choose his own beverage, a strawberry milk. Gakuto to his surprise paid for both of them and explained, "You paid for dinner last night."

At first the tensai thought Gakuto didn't notice the ruckus he created behind him, but as they took their seats at the sub-regulars usual table, he flashed a grin at Yuushi. He said quietly to himself as was his habit when he wasn't actually "speaking" to the tensai, "Last time I ate that crap, I was sick for three days. I'm never gonna eat that crap again." Gakuto looked down, "Why the hell do I have two salad dressings?"

Yuushi explained, "The poppyseed is sweet and the garlic is a little strong, so if you combine them like this..." Gakuto watched him, in fact everyone sitting watched. Gakuto held his salad out for Yuushi to switch with, and then took the dressed one. He took a bite and the tensai asked, "Is it...okay?"

Gakuto swore with his mouth full.

"What?" Jiroh said, now looking more awake and interested. "Disgusting?" He grinned as if expecting Gakuto to spit or yell.

Gakuto grinned and took another bite. He said with his mouth full, "That's the best damn thing I've eaten in this hellhole." He took a third bite and swore again.

"Can I try?" Jiroh asked.

"No. Get your own Jiroh!" Gakuto took another big bite just to bother Jiroh, and protected his lunch with his arm.

Yuushi was seated closer and his salad was dressed. He held a forkful out to Jiroh to stop the antics that would start if someone didn't let Jiroh try soon. Jiroh said with his mouth still full, "S' good! Atobe, I want a salad. One like that! You want one?"

Atobe rolled his eyes, "I'll get it." Atobe's meals were brought in for him and Jiroh. Occasionally for other people as well. The tensai had never seen him hold a food tray. Not once in two years. Atobe walked to the front of the line, ignoring anyone that might protest. No one dared to. Kabaji skittered behind him carrying the tray bearing the two salads and four dressings. Atobe smiled amused, "Seems you've started a trend Gakuto. These are the last two salads."

Gakuto grinned, "Damn. How long you think if I don't eat the other crap meals it would take before they took them off the menu?" Everyone laughed.

Yuushi said quietly so only Gakuto could hear, "Thirty eight days, approximately." He knew it was a rhetorical question, but he couldn't resist.

"Cool." Gakuto said and then smiled at the tensai. The temperamental redhead must have then remembered he wasn't talking to Yuushi. He turned his body a little away and went back to eating.

Sato brought the good mood up short. Since his downfall a few days before, he insisted on still sitting at the table, but he sat at the far end with the other unwanteds and wannabes. The Captain's best friend still sat near him but everyone else was keeping away. When you were out at Hyoutei no one wanted to be around you. Sato loudly said, "I mean what is with that guy, how stuck up can you be?"

"Who?" Kaida asked. He was too nice a guy, and often last to notice when someone was on a downward spiral.

"That...freshman." Sato spit it out with malice. He was not enjoying being replaced and it showed. Yuushi noticed how tense Gakuto's body was and under the table touched his leg against Gakuto's. "That weird old man one. He doesn't even sit with us!"

Before anyone could say anything, Shishido stood up. "That's because he is so polite, he didn't even know he could. No one invited him, and he would never sit where he wasn't wanted." Shishido said pointedly to Sato. He then turned to Atobe, "I'm sorry. I had no idea he had lunch now." Without another word he stalked gracefully off, directly towards Ohtori.

"What the hell?" Sato said. He wasn't done. "What is it with this kid? Everyone is going out of their way to be nice to him, am I the only one wondering why? What is he, your relative, Atobe?" Sato paused as if people should laugh. The Captain said nothing, and even Sato's best friend, who Yuushi suspected of being the Captain's lover, barely cracked a smile. "Gakuto? You haven't even questioned him. I mean, what the hell? Is he special?"

Everyone froze. There were rumors flying everywhere for the past few days, Yuushi knew. Sato was openly trying to act as if everything was all right. Especially after his public humiliation scene of fighting with Yuushi last night. Yuushi noticed now that Sato had a slightly black eye and swollen lip. The tensai was not prone to violence, but felt proud of his efforts and wished he had done more damage. Like ripping the guy's vocal cords out.

Gakuto normally tapped his foot while he ate, read, or pretty much did everything. He even did it in his sleep. For the first time since Yuushi knew him, Gakuto had stopped bouncing his leg. He kept it up against Yuushi's as if for comfort or support. To the tensai's shock, Gakuto shrugged. Yuushi realized he was the only one who knew Gakuto was upset. He said in Sato's direction as he kept eating, "Believe me, I'll ask him, but it's hard to ask someone something when he's sitting all the way over there." Gakuto rolled his eyes and looked at everyone as if getting them to agree what a moron Sato was. Most of the table laughed. They were on Atobe's and thus, Gakuto's side.

Yuushi was trying to come up with something stupid to say to end the tension. The Captain saved him by asking Sato's best friend if he wanted to eat and perhaps have a light rally outside. The Captain, his best friend and the other Seniors left with Sato trailing behind his only allies.

Right about then, Shishido and Ohtori sat down. Taki quickly moved down the table to sit next to Ohtori with Shishido sitting on his other side. Shishido said with a small smile of appreciation, "Has he returned your serve yet?"

Ohtori looked to make sure everyone around him was already eating before he started on his food. The guy was sitting across from Gakuto who was slowly starting to move his leg in response to how far away Sato moved. Gakuto went back to eating, although Yuushi noticed he was picking. Sato ruined Gakuto's appetite along with his own. "Not yet." Ohtori said sounding unmistakably proud. He should be, even Yuushi was impressed with the hard, fast serve by a freshman.

"Who?" Taki asked.

"Hiyoshi." Shishido said, "Ohtori's been practicing with him at night."

"He any good? 'Cause I hear he's good." Yuushi heard how hoarse Gakuto's voice sounded. How stressed. He was furious at Sato. They didn't need another problem or conflict.

"He's good." Ohtori said.

"I've heard his playing style is rather...unusual." Yuushi said to keep the conversation going. Tennis was a good and safe subject. One everyone there loved. It would make Ohtori comfortable and Gakuto calm down. The tensai worried that the lunch thing, and even the confrontation with Sato wasn't a big enough rumor for Gakuto's liking. Yuushi threw out the rest of his and Gakuto's lunch and decided they had better eat a good dinner. They would be starving when they got in from practice. He returned to the table and felt a sense of dread.

Gakuto was looking at Ohtori like he wanted to devour him alive. Sato apparently had given him a rumor idea, but Yuushi wondered if this was such a good idea after all. Gakuto was still extremely stressed and Yuushi suspected he was as exhausted as the tensai still was. They had already had a difficult and long day. Gakuto's leg next to Yuushi's went from deadly still to tapping furiously in anticipation and probably anxiety. Gakuto was leaning forward with his chin in his hands. He grinned, "I really can't take it anymore. I need to know."

Yuushi tried to stop this, "Gaukto..."

Gakuto said sounding upset, "Shut up Yuushi! I'm gonna ask him. I wanna know! If he doesn't want to answer it then he doesn't have to! But I'm gonna ask." He asked Ohtori, "So...how many?"

Everyone around grinned at Gakuto's usual line of questioning. Ohtori said completely innocently, "How many?"

Gakuto smiled more, "Yeah, how many? How...many...people...have...you...had. ..sex...with? How many?"

Ohtori blinked in shock and his face turned deeply red. Even the guy's neck was turning red.

Gakuto was not about to let up. Yuushi realized Gakuto would make a very good policeman. A detective. He was an expert at getting information out of people who didn't want to give it. He asked, "What, are your parents siblings? You know sex, make love, do the nasty, knock boots, screw, fu..."

Yuushi covered his mouth with his hand. He tried to make this into a joke and figured what Gakuto would do to him, "I do believe that he gets the general idea, Gakuto. That hurts...!" but had not figured how hard Gakuto would actually bite him.

Yuushi rarely cursed but did then because it hurt, despite Gakuto slyly licking his hand while he bit him. Actually, the licking part in front of everyone was a good thing. It meant, Gakuto was ready to forgive him. "I'm bleeding. You...you drew blood." Yuushi thought maybe Gakuto wanted to fight with him and that would be all right. He could handle being the butt of a rumor if it made Gakuto happy.

Gakuto yelled but there was no sting behind his words. He chose them carefully, "Then don't touch me! You touched me first!" Meaning, later, Gakuto would get to do whatever he wanted to please Yuushi. Gakuto turned back to Ohtori, "You wanna know what I think, old man?"

Yuushi knew then, Gakuto was spread too thin. He was tired, and stressed out, and the tensai knew he had to get Gakuto out of there. Gakuto hadn't noticed that not only was Taki glowering at him this entire time, but Shishido looked furious and about to strike. Like a snake coiled and ready to spring. Yuushi had seen Shishido fight before, he didn't use just his words, he backed his words up with his fists. Gakuto was on thin ice and he was too exhausted and stressed to notice.

Taki said quietly, as if worried no one would back him up, "No one cares what you think, slut."

Yuushi knew that would hurt Gakuto. It would remind him of Sato and Taki if nothing else. Gakuto's only response was to laugh, "Ha! I think it can go either way. I think your numbers are either really low like one or two or really, really high like twenty or thirty or more because I don't..."

Yuushi knew this wasn't true. Everyone in the room that night knew that wasn't true. Shishido had enough and snarled a warning at Gakuto, "That's enough."

Gakuto ignored him, "Because I don't think you're as innocent as you look. I think..."

Shishido growled louder, giving Gakuto a rare second warning, "Shut up Gakuto."

Gakuto though was only focused on Ohtori. He knew he had the guy up against the ropes, and the boy was about to crack and say something. Gakuto leaned in more and said, "I think..."

Ohtori was so angry and upset, his hands were shaking, "All right, I'll tell you. My numbers are really low. Zero. I've never..."

"You LIE! I know you're lying!" Yuushi shot Gakuto a warning look. He had to remember his vow.

"I'm not lying. I've never had sex." Ohtori looked upset and confused.

Gakuto smiled, "With a girl!" he leaned towards Ohtori and whispered, "But what about sex with a guy?" Yuushi felt the entire table gasp and hold its breath waiting for an answer.

"I've never had sex with anyone. Not a girl and not a guy. No one. Ever." Ohtori's voice was trembling in anger. Yuushi suddenly realized for the first time this nice kid they were looking out for, had teeth. Ohtori would bite back if pushed. He could defend himself, and probably had at some time in his past. It took a bit to anger Ohtori, but once there, he would not back down. He was angry then and said hotly, "Is there anything else you would like to ask me senpai? Because I'll tell you whatever you want to know." It was a direct challenge.

Ohtori and Gakuto locked looks for a moment. Gakuto smiled and to Yuushi's surprise turned away first. Yuushi knew in that moment, Gakuto had decided he liked and respected Ohtori. He had passed Gakuto's little test, and Gakuto just helped Ohtori to be accepted by everyone, although Ohtori probably didn't know it. He was too green to know how things at Hyoutei worked. Yuushi knew this little test was not nearly as bad as what Gakuto had put him and others through, but it would feed the rumor mill for days and it would keep anyone else from saying Ohtori was coddled or speculating that he was Atobe's relative anymore. Unfortunately, Gakuto came out looking bad, but everyone expected Gakuto to be the bad guy, so he was used to it.

Jiroh stood up and yawned. He attempted to calm Ohtori down and understood completely what Gakuto had done. Gakuto had even mentioned on the phone earlier to Atobe that he was going to start a rumor for his friend Kiyoshi. All Atobe said was to keep him out of it. Jiroh said, "Gakuto, sometimes you're really an idiot. Don't pay him any attention Ohtori. He gets off on information and yours was probably incomplete."

Atobe said, "Gakuto, you asked, he answered, its finished." But Yuushi knew it wasn't truly said to Gakuto, it was to anyone who questioned Ohtori ever again. Ohtori had passed the test for Atobe apparently as well. Atobe even rested his hand on Ohtori's shoulder for a moment before he and Jiroh sauntered off in a very visible show of favoritism.

The only people who didn't understand what had just happened were the still furious Taki, Ohtori, and Shishido. All their anger was focused on Gakuto. Yuushi really had to get him the hell out of there, but moved too slowly. The moment Atobe was gone, Taki said, "You'd better watch it slut, you just made Atobe mad."

Gakuto was livid. This fight between him and Taki had been coming for a long time. Gakuto threw the first verbal punch and to Yuushi's surprise tried to keep it from escalating. Instead of going after Taki, he went after Shishido who seemed calmer, "Please! Atobe isn't mad, its just been a while since he had a virgin, right?"

Shishido was smoldering and not cooled off at all though. He threw back, "And how long has it been since you were one?"

Several people made noises supporting Shishido. Gakuto responded to them, but Yuushi could see, the comment didn't really hurt him although he said, "You...!"

Yuushi tried to end this. He physically picked Gakuto up and was trying to carry him away, "Thanks to your razor sharp teeth I now have to visit the nurse. You're coming with me, Gakuto."

Taki smiled. He noticed Gakuto's dodge and went in for the kill, "Now Shishido, you know that slut has been used and abused since the day he was born. It's all he's good for. How old were you your first time slut? Four? Five? Or is that just how many people used you your first time?"

Gakuto froze. Yuushi felt it hurt Gakuto physically. It hurt Yuushi too, as if Taki said it to him and not to Gakuto. It was a very low blow and Yuushi realized just how close Gakuto and Taki once were. Gakuto probably hadn't told Taki everything, but he told him enough. Taki threw that in his face now. It was beyond cruel.

Yuushi put his hand on Gakuto's trembling shoulder. He whispered, "Gakuto, laugh. It will all be okay if you laugh like I'm saying the funniest thing to you." Gakuto didn't react. Yuushi whispered, "I didn't come in your mouth earlier because I thought I was going to urinate and knew if I did you would never forgive me..." Gakuto snapped his head to look at Yuushi as if he couldn't believe it. Then when he saw it was true...after another moments pause, he finally laughed.

He kicked Yuushi in the shin, although not hard, and said, "Shut up Yuushi! And don't touch me! You touched me first again!" He walked out laughing.

It wasn't until they got out of the dining hall that Gakuto sagged against a wall where no one was around. "Are you all right?" Yuushi said though he knew it was a lame question.

Gakuto shook his head yes, but stood there for a moment longer. Yuushi wanted to take him in his arms and hold him close. They were tired, and no one seemed to understand what Gakuto was doing or why. He even helped Ohtori because no one would question him ever again, but everyone would think Gakuto a bastard. To top it all off, what Taki did was unforgivable. Yuushi went to put his hands on Gakuto's small shoulders. He wanted to impart some of his warmth and steady them, and to let Gakuto know he was not alone. Yuushi understood him, and what he did.

Before he could, to his amazement, Gakuto seemingly by force of will straightened himself and squared his shoulders. "Okay." He said, though his voice sounded tired and smaller than normal, "Come on. Let's go."

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Learning to Land