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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 Sixty Two ~Mukahi ~

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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After he ended the call with Atobe, Gakuto put his finger to his lips to show Yuushi to be quiet. They both showered and dressed in echoing and awkward silence. Gakuto was painfully aware that their every sound or motion could be and probably was being watched and recorded.

He knew they shouldn't say anything, but he was too worried about the tensai to not do anything at all to make him feel better. Yuushi wouldn't meet his eyes. He looked like he was gonna hit something in fury one moment and then like he was gonna break down and cry the next. His shoulders drooped as if he was carrying a heavy weight or as if he lost an important match and let the whole team down. How upset Yuushi looked was exactly the same as the day they first met--after Gakuto totally crushed his spirit--the tensai seemed defeated and destroyed.

It made Gakuto feel horribly guilty and angry at himself for back then and a little at Yuushi now for letting any of this happen because he was stupidly trying to protect Gakuto. He shoulda told the bitch no and to go to hell, but there were some things Yuushi as smart as he was just didn't understand.

Gakuto wondered though how far he himself would go to protect his new best friend. If it came down to it, would he have been able to do the same? He shook off those thoughts and turned in the spray of the water. Gakuto tipped his head back and arched his spine in a long back bending stretch.

He thought to himself mostly though, he was furious at Naomi for doing this to the tensai. And him. He was going to bring her down. Gakuto was sure of that.

As they washed Gakuto made sure to keep an eye on Yuushi and kinda touched him a lot, more than he really had to just to get his attention and reassure him that it was okay. Gakuto wasn't really mad at him, and was still talking with him and all. Really, nothing between them had changed Gakuto would have told him that if only he could, but instead, Yuushi gave only quick glances at him as if expecting Gakuto to once again completely devastate him at any moment.

Gakuto remembered that the tensai had never really had a best friend or apparently a really true, good friend ever before. It was surprising, but apparent that despite all the people who had crushes on the tensai, Yuushi had no support system. The tensai really had no close friends and judging from his mother's treatment, no family to go to. In a lot of ways the genius was completely alone in the world, and while the guy undeniably was book smart and brilliant, he was an easily hurt little boy when it came to any kind of friendship or relationship. Yuushi was acting like Gakuto would never talk to him again because in the tensai's mind, that sadly was what he expected to happen. It hurt Gakuto to think he was that vulnerable.

Gakuto thought about what Yuushi had said earlier. About not knowing things because he hadn't learned or read them before and Gakuto thought that in some ways, reading all those junky romance books and seeing all the sappy movies probably hurt the tensai more than helped him. Yuushi probably walked around thinking everything would be perfect--including people. In those kind of films and stories there was no gray area. Everything was black or white. Good guy or bad guy with no in between but in reality, people were all flawed shades of gray. It was no wonder why Yuushi was so baffled when it came to someone liking him or love if he was expecting perfection.

Gakuto had a lot to teach Yuushi.

He only hoped he got the chance and that Yuushi wouldn't reject him now that he had to know Gakuto was far from perfect. He was just like everyone else--flawed. And if Gakuto considered how damaged he was by what happened to him, then really he was flawed even worse than most people.

Yuushi had done this touchy feely stuff whenever Gakuto was upset, and the redhead despite his protesting really found it comforting. So he did his best now to do the same back. Gakuto had to admit it felt good to him too to be able to do something to console the very upset looking tensai. It also helped Gakuto who was feeling very exposed to think he had some control right now. He couldn't fix what happened or change the way things worked out, but he could be there now and get Yuushi through this.

It really sucked that they were not able to talk at all. Gakuto was a verbal person and liked talking. In a way, he needed to talk and he was angry that he couldn't. He could really use Yuushi's big brain right about now too. For a few moments as he quickly rinsed the soap outta his hair, Gakuto wondered if what he thought had happened really was true. If someone really had watched them all this time.

It was horribly embarrassing to suddenly know you've lost all your privacy. It makes you question your every action and movement. It makes you wonder what the hell you might have said or done, and if Gakuto was wrong about it--if they weren't really being watched--Atobe would never forgive him for a false alarm of this magnitude.

Damn it! He thought about it all again and decided there really wasn't any other explanation. There was no way Naomi knew all the things she knew otherwise. There was no possible way Naomi could have known the tensai said all those exact words to Gakuto both in his old room after Sato tried to hurt him, later in Jiroh's room, and more recently in their new one. She repeated everything exactly, word for word. It was too exact to be coincidental.

Wasn't it?

Because if Gakuto was somehow wrong, hell if the point of this was to bring Gakuto down, this would be a good way. Atobe would be beyond furious. Carefully Gakuto reviewed all the evidence again but no matter how he tried to put it together, he kept coming up with the same conclusion. Someone positively had been in their room and messed with not just their computers, had been not just listening, but recalling how Naomi was posing for pictures, they had probably been watching them as well. He wished he could confirm this with the tensai who could think entire new levels of logic around anything Gakuto could figure out, but if they talked, it would alert the people listening that they knew. Worried and fretting, Gakuto watched the tensai. He and Yuushi finished dressing and by silent agreement threw a few things together in case they were spending the night elsewhere. Gakuto hoped so.

He really needed a safe place to talk to Yuushi. The tensai was very obviously distressed and needed Gakuto to comfort him and tell him it was all right.

The little redhead realized he was upset too. He felt exposed and vulnerable and more than anything after Naomi,Gakuto wanted to curl up next to Yuushi when he slept like they had been doing every night. It surprised him a little how much he was coming to rely on sleeping with Yuushi. How soon that became normal. To not be able to talk to the tensai or sleep with him, and then to have to somehow try to sleep in this room while people watched and listened to them would really be impossible.

Gakuto worried too that Yuushi might reject him.

It was possible that the tensai was so messed up and damaged that he pushed Gakuto away after this. Maybe he would think the cost of protecting Gakuto and his secret was far too high--even though Gakuto would never have asked him to do what Yuushi did. But beyond that, Gakuto knew he wasn't an easygoing person. He was most of the time insensitive, loud, brash, insulting, crass, cocky, crude, and completely uncultured.

In a way, he had always thought how he was as a person was kinda charming in an in-your-face kinda way, but looking through someone else's eyes--someone like Yuushi who was smart and could have anyone, maybe how Gakuto was really was a huge turn off. Gakuto was a long ways away from the kinda romantic, smart, and adoring guy Yuushi would want in a movie-perfect world. Now that he knew him, maybe Yuushi wouldn't want him anymore. Maybe he didn't and that was why he wouldn't look at him.

He and Yuushi silently left the room. Gakuto fretted more because the tensai's body posture was still off. Yuushi was still very upset and wouldn't meet Gakuto's worried looks at him. He was seriously worried the tensai might break or cry when they met up with Atobe at the elevator. Gakuto cringed even more when he saw Jiroh was there too.

This was bad. Not just because of how he and Jiroh just had that whole sleepover flirting and all that sex talk, although if Jiroh mentioned it again in front of Yuushi who was already really upset, it would be a nightmare in itself, but for other reasons too.

Gakuto really didn't want Jiroh to hear the Shishido questions Naomi had because Jiroh had been already upset earlier. Damn it, Jiroh was gonna be upset again when he heard. Gakuto hoped Atobe could handle Jiroh because Yuushi needed Gakuto now.

He realized Jiroh would probably work himself up and get even more upset because Atobe was really gonna be furious when he heard what Naomi wanted to know. The Vice-Captain was really protective of Shishido. He always had been. It was one place Gakuto knew to never even try to go. Not even joking around.

Damn though, Atobe was really gonna go ballistic when he heard Naomi wanted Shishido's info and poor Jiroh was gonna have all that thrown in his face yet again. But at the same time, maybe even more, Gakuto worried because he really didn't know what to say about his past in front of Jiroh.

On some level, long ago, he'd figured out that Atobe probably knew about what happened to him. Hell, Atobe probably knew about all of their pasts--Yuushi's too. The tensai had practically hinted as much to Gakuto that their Vice-Captain knew which had only confirmed it for the little redhead.

Gakuto'd always tried to ignore that Atobe knew. He just kinda put that outta his head. After all, he'd reasoned that Atobe had never treated him any differently from when he first met the Vice-Captain so Gakuto had only thought enough about it to consider that Atobe had probably always known. And even if he did know, Atobe'd never shoved it in Gakuto's face or used it against him.Atobe was an okay guy and hell there was nothing Gakuto could really do to change things if Atobe really did know.

Gakuto had to concede that he was willing to trust Atobe at least that much. And Yuushi too because both of them had earned his trust. It wasn't like he had a choice about it anyway. They both knew.

But Jiroh was another person. A third person.

A couple of weeks ago Gakuto had felt secure that no one but his immediate family knew about what happened to him. He was distantly aware that Atobe knew but that was easy for him to put outta his head. Sure, Gakuto had problems a few weeks ago, terrible problems with Sato and Taki, but those paled in comparison to the horror of everyone at Hyoutei knowing about his being attacked.

Now it felt like not only did someone know about his secret, but it was more than one person, and growing larger all the time. Now it was about to become three people he had to trust. Gakuto had to fight back a rising feeling of panic as he thought about more people knowing. It felt like more people and more and more...and really no one should ever know.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Jiroh either. He was all right as far as anyone from Hyoutei could be Gakuto supposed. In fact, they always had a good time hanging out and Jiroh went out of his way to be a friend when he was awake. The problem was though that Jiroh had a tendency when excited or half asleep to kinda blurt things out. Kinda like a little kid would, and because of that it wasn't that he didn't trust Jiroh so much as he felt like he really couldn't. Even though he figured Jiroh kept Atobe's secrets very well and Atobe was bound to have a few hundred at any given time. Jiroh either kept them really well or was too asleep to hear them in the first place. Either way, Gakuto supposed he could be trusted. It wasn't like Gakuto had a choice. Again! Damn it!

As they met up, everyone all nodded to each other and got into the elevator without anyone saying a single word. It made sense because anyone could be listening to them even here, but at the same time it was a long awkward pause.

Gakuto filled it in his head wondering what the people listening would think. Would they try to figure out where they were going? Hell, let the bastards wonder what's up and where we're going Gakuto wickedly thought and then wondered if they shouldn't drop some false hint to not let the bastards watching them know they were suspicious. Maybe that could be worked out too so in the future there were no more awkward silences to alert anyone they knew. It was kinda cool to think like a spy--no Gakuto realized like a double agent secret spy.

Gakuto and Yuushi brought along stuff they needed for overnight and for the next day just in case, and he noticed Jiroh and Atobe had their stuff also so that was good. So they all must be staying somewhere. Maybe one of Atobe's homes. Gakuto wondered if anyone else was coming along, and where they were all going, but knew not to speak until it was secure. Anyone could be watching, listening, recording--anything! It gave Gakuto a cold chill and he had to hold back a shiver of disgust. It was even worse than the glass fishbowl that was Hyoutei daily public life, because this was being watched when you were behind closed doors too. Gakuto barely suppressed a shudder of revulsion and again vowed to take the bastards who did this down. Starting with that bitch Naomi for what she did to Yuushi.

He tried to give Yuushi a supportive smile but the tensai was studying the floor.

Atobe lead them out the dormitory front door and outside. The four of them walked silently to the front gate as if they all already knew where they were going. A huge car was waiting for them beyond the gate and they got in after the driver took their bags and held the door open for them. Gakuto heard the trunk close after they all got in. The driver never asked where to go so Gakuto figured all of it must have been pre-arranged. He was impressed with the huge limousine and wondered if Atobe had planned this escape route sometime earlier. Gakuto felt a little excited by all the intrigue and despite the gravity of the situation, he felt thrilled to be a major part of this exclusive inner circle.

The privacy screen in the limo was up and they situated themselves. He and the tensai sat on one side and Atobe and Jiroh sat on the other. None of them faced the television screens which were on different channels but all muted. Gakuto noticed Yuushi seemed like he wasn't sure how close to sit next to him, kinda like Yuushi was still afraid of how upset Gakuto might be about what happened with Naomi. He figured and hoped the tensai wanted to sit very close to him, so Gakuto sat closer than he normally would have if Yuushi had just been any other guy. He hoped it was the right thing to do.

He liked that he knew Yuushi would understand what that meant, especially as they were in front of other people. He noticed Atobe closely watching them with his hand to his face--looking for flaws. It made him suddenly feel angry. Yuushi needed support and not this. Atobe was supposed to also be their friend. Hell he was supposedly a close friend to the tensai and once they were kinda more.

Gakuto felt a sudden surge of jealousy thinking that Atobe had fooled around with Yuushi. He knew the two of them had kissed around and done other stuff. A while ago, looking for gossip, he asked Yuushi how much they did, but couldn't really remember exactly what he'd said. The tensai had been vague beyond implying with a stupid pun that he and Atobe didn't have full-on sex. Gakuto and Yuushi hadn't either, but still it kinda seemed and felt like they had with how Gakuto was feeling about him. Maybe he should ask again exactly what the Vice-Captain and the tensai had actually done.

If Yuushi was still talking to him. He noticed that Yuushi was able to meet Atobe's eyes.

Gakuto was feeling jealous again. And uncomfortable. And exposed. He didn't want to say anything until he knew that it was safe, but the silence was driving him crazy.

In front of Atobe and Jiroh he felt like they were being watched and scrutinized when all he wanted was to be with Yuushi and talk to him. They needed to talk. And now he was faced with all this crap. Damn it. He was feeling uncomfortable enough when Jiroh suddenly lay his head down in Atobe's lap and sprawled across the soft leather seat. The guy looked cozy and sleepily over at them. He smiled slightly at Yuushi as if to show his ownership of their Vice-Captain. Especially showing it in front of the tensai. So Jiroh must have been feeling jealous too.

His smile increased when Atobe absently, almost like a reflex, started petting Jiroh's soft curls with his hand. Gakuto again thought how good Jiroh was for Atobe, although the Vice-Captain probably didn't even realize it. Atobe visibly relaxed as Jiroh snuggled closer to him, silently demanding to be touched more.

The car started moving and Atobe looked all serious again. His hand remained tangled in Jiroh's hair but his fingers stopped petting him. He ordered the tensai and not Gakuto, "Wait." Atobe pushed a button and though Gakuto heard nothing, he heard all four of their cell phones beep to show they no longer had any signals. The television screens suddenly showed only silent snow. "Everything is now jammed just in case. It's safe. Talk."

To Gakuto's complete surprise, Yuushi started speaking before he had the chance to say a single word. He was a little mad.

After all, he was the one who called Atobe in the first place. He was the one who put all this together and figured it all out. Didn't Atobe wanna hear what Gakuto even had to say? He never really even told Yuushi what exactly was going on! Plus Gakuto figured he would have to completely cover for his stressed out roommate. He was ready and prepared to do this, but somehow Yuushi put all his being upset aside. Yuushi suddenly seemed totally fine.

Or was he?

No. He wasn't. More than five minutes had passed without Yuushi cracking a joke. Not even a small one to make Gakuto roll his eyes and this situation was strange enough that Yuushi surely had some pun or witticism begging to be drawled slower than molasses in January. But the tensai had been strangely silent. He had that look on his face that Yuushi got when a stupid teacher praised him in front of the entire class--essentially putting everyone who wasn't a tensai down and making Yuushi a target for ridicule. His face looked just a little tight, but Gakuto knew that look meant Yuushi felt picked on and angry.

The tensai must have realized how serious the situation was, and put his own feelings aside. Maybe in some way to support Gakuto. As usual he was probably putting Gakuto first. But Yuushi better not take credit for figuring this all out, even if he was a tensai. Then again, Gakuto worried again that maybe he was wrong--about all of it. Maybe Gakuto jumped to conclusions and it was all just a series of spooky coincidences and Yuushi would be blamed now right along with Gakuto. He didn't want that to happen either. And he didn't know how Yuushi was feeling. About them and about him. Gakuto didn't know what the hell he should do and so he just listened.

Yuushi said faster than his normal slow speech and looking very serious, "Towards the end of practice today, I received a note telling me to meet someone under the bleachers to discuss an urgent matter. I thought it was a love confession or some such nonsense and did not plan on attending as I wanted to stay close to Gakuto to ensure his safety. Shortly after, I received a second note saying they would reveal my past and named my tutor by name." Yuushi turned to Gakuto, "The note instructed me to inform you to come as well or your..." Yuushi looked meaningfully at him, "...incident would be revealed also."

It was the first look Yuushi had really given him since they talked in the bathroom. Gakuto felt it go right through him, and he tried to figure out how Yuushi was feeling by it. The tensai looked wooden and cold, but it didn't seem as if anything had changed. Had it? Gakuto wasn't sure so he tried to concentrate on the meaning behind the words he said. Yuushi was smart like that and would do things that most people wouldn't figure out. But Gakuto couldn't get anything from what he said. He supposed he just wasn't smart enough.

Atobe asked, "So whoever it was knew about each of your pasts?"

Yuushi turned to him and dryly said, "It certainly seemed to be the case, especially in light of what they said regarding me, but I didn't want to alarm Gakuto or set off a chain of inevitable and uncorrectable events. For me to show up meant I was worried enough to go. It meant I was telling them they were right by my even showing up. I reasoned I don't really mind if people know about my past. It's not something I want spread about of course, but it isn't the worst thing that could ever happen to me. If someone dug deep enough, there are things that are a matter of public record. His name and death for instance, and everyone in my hometown knows something about it even if it is just a rumor. But your past is a different matter completely." Yuushi looked at him again. "I will not allow that to become public knowledge. I promised you I would protect you and I will. No matter what."

Gakuto felt chilled by the tensai's words. He didn't know about any of this note stuff. Or why Yuushi had gone without him. And again he had to face that Atobe knew about what happened to him. Really knew. Gakuto had always known it, but had never liked to admit it to himself. Now that he had to really face it as being real, he sat back a bit stunned thinking fast as he waited for Yuushi to go on.

In response to his distress, Yuushi moved closer to him. It was subtle, their knees were now touching even though the seat they were on was huge, like a so soft leather sofa. Gakuto could have lay down on it like a bed and Yuushi still woulda had lots of room.

Suddenly Gakuto understood that this was how even stressed and upset, Yuushi had found the ability to speak. Simply because the tensai had figured out that Gakuto was gonna be upset, Yuushi fought his own emotions just to help him. Yuushi confirmed this when still turned to face Gakuto he quietly said, "I'm sorry. I had to go, even just to know who was attempting to blackmail us, but I made Kabaji promise to watch you. I asked him to follow you home, and to ring my phone once if you needed me. Not answering my phones when they rang and worrying that you were hurt or in trouble was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I wouldn't risk her finding out about your past and I refused to risk you."

Gakuto was both relieved that Yuushi was kinda saying he still liked him, and then shocked. As what Yuushi said sank in he blushed, which was not a good thing in front of the company he was in, but all he could think of was Kabaji seeing him and Jiroh together and reporting it all back to damn Atobe--and Yuushi! He looked alarmed over at Jiroh who grinned at Gakuto turning red. Even with just the dim lights of the car around him, the sleepy guy must have noticed the blush. He was probably thinking oompa-whatever.

Just then Gakuto realized that Jiroh wasn't so sleepy after all. It was night and he was usually wide awake by this time. Instead it was probably a comfortable act for him and Atobe to fall into. Jiroh yawned convincingly enough though and said, "I walked with Gakuto most of the way back after what happened with Sato." Jiroh grinned wider at Gakuto like he wanted to make him know for certain, "Kabaji followed, but from far away." In other words, Kabaji saw and Jiroh knew the whole time. He had wanted Kabaji to see them.

Kabaji had seen them! Damn it! Jiroh's invitation was probably real, but more than the physical pleasures promised, it was part of some game Jiroh was up to. Jiroh! Of all people! Up to something! That was amazing! And Gakuto should have known it! Damn it!

Gakuto really had let his guard down with his feelings for Yuushi and with being upset when he was not able to find the tensai. This was Hyoutei after all--wheels within wheels turning constantly--nothing was ever as simple or as easy as it seemed. To forget all that for even a moment could bring about your downfall. And Gakuto had forgotten back then.

Gakuto got it. Jiroh was a master manipulator just like everybody else. Fine. Cool. Great.

He nodded to show he understood at Jiroh who grinned more. Gakuto waited for Yuushi or Jiroh to go on, but instead the tensai asked him alarmed, "Why? What happened with Sato?"

He didn't wanna worry Yuushi over that. They had enough going on so Gakuto said, "Nothing. Same crap as always." He smiled slightly suddenly remembering though, "But...I did punch the bastard."

Yuushi looked shocked but Jiroh laughed, "It was so great!" Jiroh went on to tell most of the story of what happened in the clubhouse, but left out his and Gakuto's fight and that Gakuto was worried and looking for the tensai. The last part of which Gakuto really appreciated. He didn't need Yuushi any more upset, and was developing a new understanding for the cunning mind hidden behind a sleepy, lazy smile that seemed to be the real Jiroh. Gakuto appreciated him even more because he noticed Jiroh looked pleased that Gakuto now saw Jiroh for who he really was and not as the stupid pet everyone assumed him to be. Jiroh didn't have to open himself up like this, but it seemed he really wanted to share who he was with the redhead for some reason.

Maybe to make him feel more comfortable? Gakuto didn't know, but tried to relax. He realized he was bouncing his leg up and down as he thought through everything. A dead giveaway to his stress. He stopped himself before Atobe ordered him to stop or before Yuushi said something about him leaving his motor running.

Gakuto tried to calm himself. He rationalized to himself that really there was nothing he could do but try to make the best of things, and see how this all went down. Yuushi stretched. He moved closer to Gakuto as he did so that their hips were touching too now--probably to keep Gakuto from bouncing his leg again. Gakuto suspected Yuushi was probably silently telling Gakuto the same mentally reassuring things he was telling himself. He told himself to calm the hell down and chill out.

The tensai went on before Atobe could order him to, "Shiori met me at the appointed place and told me that someone was waiting for me outside our dorm room. She asked me if you would be arriving soon. I lied and told her I didn't care if you came or not. That I hadn't seen you or told you to come. I also said I was not happy about being lead on a wild chase around campus. I was busy so let's get the party started or the hell with it. She didn't seem to understand what I meant. She isn't very intelligent and seemed confused by my saying no. She called someone, I guess now it was Naomi. I was instructed to get over to our room or else and Shiori told me that she would have to find you at dinner to join us later. I left immediately to meet whomever it was."

Yuushi looked only at Atobe and said, "Shiori really did not seem to know much of what was going on. She seemed to only be a messenger whose job was to bring the two of us to Naomi, but I am not a hundred per cent certain."

The Vice-Captain nodded and the tensai continued, "When I arrived, there were few people around. Naomi was standing outside our door. She smiled and looked as if the cat had caught her prey. Anyone lingering around was leaving for dinner. It was early enough that Naomi could go to our room without having to sign in and without too many eyebrows being raised. She had her schoolbag and I am sure most people dismissed seeing her with me as her getting tutored." Yuushi shrugged. "When she and I went inside our room, she walked around for a moment and put her bag down. She said she had something for me and took out condoms. She said they were strawberry and she said she knew they were my new favorite flavor. She told me to take off my clothes and teased me about rejecting her at the sharing. She said she wanted me and would not take no for an answer this time. She again threatened me with my past if I failed to comply, and began to strip off her clothes."

Yuushi turned to Gakuto who was alarmed at how robotic the tensai was sounding. It seemed almost like this "had happened" to someone else or something Yuushi saw on television or read about rather than something that happened directly to him. Gakuto figured this meant Yuushi was really upset and recalling it all was not helping him.

The tensai looked intensely at him and softly said, "I certainly did not want her. I still am not certain of her motives other than perhaps it was her feeling somehow rejected by my not having sex with her at the sharing. I was going to leave, and then she asked where you were. Why I really didn't bring you. She said that she expected you to come looking for me any moment since we are always together lately. I told her we were not friends, only roommates by assignment, not choice. She said she knew we were lovers. I informed her how interesting this news was to me because we have never been lovers."

Yuushi stopped and took in a breath as if gathering his thoughts, but Gakuto saw him force himself to relax and finish the story, "She insisted she knew we were. I informed her that we are not lovers and have never made love, but she laughed. She told me to stop lying, and then said if I didn't undress right then and get to work pleasing her before you walked in the door, with one call everyone would know about my past. She knew details. Too many to dismiss it as rumor. I went to leave again. Before I reached the door, she then threatened to expose what happened to you. I asked her what she was talking about. She said I already knew everything about the four guys who..." Yuushi was getting upset but caught himself before he blurted too much out or before Gakuto forced him to stop.

And Gakuto was just about to force him to stop. It wasn't just that Yuushi almost said it out loud in front of everyone--though that really didn't help--it was how upset Yuushi was getting. He sounded and looked almost normal, but Gakuto knew him. He was talking fast as if to get through it sooner. It was a fight for him to get through this.

The tensai glanced over at Jiroh and looked back at Gakuto, "...well you know." Yuushi took a breath and said to Gakuto as if Atobe and Jiroh weren't right there,"I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. I tried bargaining with her. I tried to find out how much she knew and exactly what she knew. I attempted to find out her motives and the source of her information. The only thing I was able to do I thought was buy as much time as possible to try to figure it all out. If nothing else had hoped to be finished and rid of her by the time you arrived. I panicked. I apologize. You walked in just a few moments after we had started and..." Yuushi's voice was getting tight as if he was finally showing emotion and was unable to hold back any longer.

Gakuto really didn't want him to break or say too much, especially in front of Atobe and Jiroh, so he interrupted and said, "Yeah. That's what I figured." He casually leaned his shoulder against Yuushi's arm to show him things with them were fine. He more than forgave him, hell it wasn't like they had promised to be faithful or anything. Although, when Gakuto thought about that, that they hadn't promised anything to each other, it kinda hurt, hurt at least enough to talk to Yuushi about it later. Whatever this thing between them was, Gakuto realized he really wanted it to be just them.

Yuushi was quiet as if he understood. Or maybe he just needed to stop for a while. Gakuto turned to Atobe and went on with the story, "I don't know why she did things the way she did, but I found out what she wanted." He filled in the details, including her trying to get them to kiss, and what he and Yuushi did to try to wrest some control from her. He went on to tell about the numbing cream.

When Atobe asked a question about how he knew what it was, Gakuto explained with a shrug, "I've used it before, in the past, so I didn't feel any pain but have no idea why she used it with us. We didn't hurt her. She enjoyed herself. I made sure. I think she wanted to turn us into allies, or maybe to buy our silence and own us. Maybe use us against you or someone else in the future. I'm not sure about that, but I knew she wasn't there just for sex." Gakuto went on to say only that when they washed up after the sex, he told Yuushi to stay behind so he could figure out what she was after.

He told about how she was there when he walked out of the bathroom and his shock when she knew those things they had only said around each other--being sure to not say specifics to the Vice-Captain that potentially could hurt either of them. He kept to himself all the things Yuushi only said to Gakuto when no one else was around both in his old room and in their new one, but he explained how she posed as if for cameras like she knew where they were, and at the same time, Gakuto noticed Yuushi had pulled a bit away from him, so Gakuto moved closer as he talked to show the tensai he was still with him.

He hoped Yuushi was with him still too.

"So what did she want? What information?" Atobe asked and his eyes flashed dangerously.

Gakuto explained that she seemed there for a discount and basically information. And about her threats. All of them, and Gakuto could not keep the anger from his voice as he thought again how she forced Yuushi by blackmail--essentially raped the tensai who was stupidly trying to protect Gakuto's secret with his very body.

Gakuto as he talked drifted in his thinking. He worried to himself about the tensai. He worried about them and where whatever it was they had was going. He worried about his past getting out, and if it would bother the tensai. He was so busy wondering the worth of keeping a secret--even one as massive as his own when Atobe asked another question. He didn't hear the Vice-Captain at all, but Yuushi jumped in before Gakuto had to ask him to repeat himself which Atobe hated.

Yuushi said, "Gakuto, I'm sure it's safe to talk in front of Jiroh. You can tell Atobe the information Naomi wanted. I confess I am rather curious too, as she seemed to have more information on me than any one else has ever gotten. Even you. What else could she possibly have needed to know?" Yuushi was covering for his drifting. The tensai turned to Atobe, "We were unable to talk after Gakuto realized she knew things we had said to each other only in private. Many things she said to me, I realize only now were spoken to each other in Jiroh's room that night we stayed there."

Jiroh and Atobe looked stunned. Gakuto hadn't said that to Yuushi but he guessed that the tensai of course easily and quickly put things together.

Gakuto said to the Vice-Captain while they were both still looking in shock over Jiroh's room being bugged, "You're not gonna like this. Naomi wanted all the information I have and can get her about Shishido. She said she wanted everything and offered a lot of money for it. Who he liked, dated, slept with, she mentioned you specifically, and told me to not waste her time because she knew about him and you." He looked at Atobe, but not Jiroh as he went on, "And she wanted to know how Shishido's brother died." Gakuto paused and despite the gravity of the situation, his interest in information compelled him to ask, "His brother that went here died?"

Atobe's jaw dropped open slightly. Gakuto had never seen Atobe like that and wished he had a camera because no one would have ever believed the Vice-Captain could ever look this shocked. Atobe answered automatically as if too surprised to think first, "No...it was..." The Vice-Captain seemed to suddenly realize he almost slipped up and looked infuriated, "It was a very long time ago, and if you ever mention it to anyone--Gakuto or any of you, I promise you I will never forgive you. I will bury you if you even ask Shishido or hint that you ever heard anything about this. Don't even think about trying it Gakuto. Forget you ever heard it."

Gakuto was now shocked--at how enraged Atobe sounded at him. He had done nothing wrong. Hell, if anything he probably saved all their asses! He deserved praise for his quickly putting all this together. Lavish praise and not threats!

He took a breath to yell at their Vice-Captain, but Yuushi responded before Gakuto could react furiously. The tensai said calmly, "Atobe, I'm sure you're as upset as we are by all this situation and its potential implications, but that is no reason to threaten Gakuto. If Gakuto wanted to cause trouble for anyone he certainly could have. He will not pursue Shishido's information."

Atobe still looked livid. His face was uncharacteristically flushed in anger, "It's not a threat. I want your oaths that nothing we say tonight leaves this car. All of you." As predicted, Atobe was furious and Jiroh looked very upset.

A long moment stretched out between them. The closeness and thrill Gakuto felt at being part of this inner circle was long gone replaced with feeling cold and isolated. He wanted to fix things with Yuushi as soon as possible, but knew his duty. Before anyone else, Gakuto said, "I swear it." He said the word that was their binding oath and Yuushi and then Jiroh did the same.

Atobe looked at Gakuto long and hard before relaxing slightly. He was still furious, but the rage that had been focused at Gakuto seemed to have turned elsewhere. For an instant, Atobe looked visibly shaken and Gakuto wasn't sure what it was about, and then with practiced ease, like a politician or an actor, all trace of it was gone.

Despite looking upset, it was Jiroh who expertly diffused the tense situation. Jiroh stretched and said to them, "He is like that when anyone says anything about Shishido. Don't take it personally Gakuto. I don't."

The sleepy-seeming guy shrugged and curled closer to Atobe. Reassuring him with his entire body. He said softly to Atobe, "Gakuto and Yuushi won't say anything, Keigo. They're loyal to you like I am. They know you'll fix this and protect us all. Like you always do. You trust us and we trust you. Nothing like this can destroy what you've built. They can't touch you. We're all here for you Atobe, just like you're here for us." Jiroh sat up a bit though he still leaned against their Vice-Captain, more in his lap than off of him.

Jiroh was quiet for a moment, yawned, and suddenly asked everyone, "So? If we assume we all have bugs in our rooms, now what are we going to do? Do we let them know we know or do we mess with them real good before destroying them? I'm really angry. Hey! I'll bet they were the ones who messed up my Barry White CD. I knew it wasn't my jukebox being screwy. Those bastards! Come on Atobe, tell us how we're gonna bring them down! You know what? This might even be fun! Let's totally destroy them!"

Jiroh getting riled up made even Atobe smile slightly despite his being furious. Gakuto found he had even more admiration for the handsome guy.

Atobe looked for the moment pensive. Almost like he hadn't figured it out yet, but Yuushi's giant brain was apparently churning at full speed. "You know," the tensai drawled slowly. Gakuto wondered not for the first time if Yuushi talked slow because no one else would have been able to keep up with his brain speed. Maybe not even Yuushi's lips. It was like a time-delay for a live broadcast. "Jiroh's correct. Their not knowing we know puts us at a small advantage. Perhaps we can alter the bugs to send out what we want them to hear. In this way, we can draw them out without their realizing we know. That is possible to do, right? Make them hear only what we want them to hear?" Yuushi looked at Gakuto.

Gakuto thought a moment. "...Uh, yeah. Once we find them we can set them up to say whatever we want and fool whoever is doing this." Gakuto thought a moment more, "We should leave some bugs in place if we're gonna do that though, minor ones with people that don't really matter or know anything. Then we can mess the people doing this up even more by having those the minor people back up our info. You know like we can start fake rumors and they will spread whatever gossip and rumors we plant for us. We should probably figure out if this is all just Naomi or if there are others involved and if there are others, then we gotta learn if they are in Hyoutei or if its someone else--maybe another school setting us up. Really it could be anyone if you think about it.A rival school. Someone we defeated with a grudge. Who knows?One thing for sure whoever it is would need a lot of money to do this on this huge a scale. A lotta money and a lotta balls to pull this off."

Yuushi picked up the thread, "We could start simple, Keigo. Start a small rumor to narrow who it is down. Convince everyone, say that...you're injured. You don't practice with the rest of us anyway. We all could reinforce it through rumors and see what it brings about both internally and externally. For example if we mention a fake roster and that you're hurt, if it's a rival school, they might change their playing order thinking you can't play, and then we'll know its external. But on the other hand if people around Hyoutei start suddenly challenging you thinking you're hurt, then we'll know its internal and who it is. Internal will be easier to contain of course. If it turns out to be external however, then we can expand and put different misinformation out there and see what happens. We can use this to our advantage. We'd know for certain in less than a month the major players involved and additionally we will be able to ascertain if this is something personal, against only you, or against the team as a whole. I find it hard to believe that this is just Naomi with our computers involved and Jiroh's room bugged."

Atobe nodded slowly, "I agree. Do it. I'll have the bugs pulled out of major people's places or set up how we want within the next day. Don't say anything to anyone. If only the four of us know we can better control this. I do trust the three of you obviously. You can handle the mis-information campaign?" He looked at Gakuto.

Gakuto nodded and Yuushi verbally agreed. Atobe said, "Fine. Let me know if you need any help or equipment. Keep it simple. I'll continue to practice on my own. Don't make any of the rumors so absurd or huge that they follow any of us through high school, and keep me up to date at all times. We're staying in a hotel tonight until our rooms are cleaned first. I'll have the company I've used in the past handle the grunt work and contact you to see if there is anything we've missed. This company handles information and PR for major corporations so they should be well versed in campaigns like this."

Atobe paused, "Say nothing to or about Shishido. The less he knows the better. I don't want him involved at all unless absolutely necessary but I do want him completely protected. Understand I will not allow him to be hurt or affected in any way. Work with this company to make up a bogus profile about him. Feed her misinformation. I want her to have nothing more on or about him. Nothing!" Atobe said it in a fierce snarl of barely contained rage. He pulled himself back, visibly fought himself for control to Gakuto's surprise, and then asked a moment later in a much calmer tone of voice, "Are we agreed?" Atobe asked using their oath to seal it and they all repeated their vows after him.

They reached the hotel soon after and their rooms must have been already arranged. They each had their own room on the same floor. Gakuto felt disappointed and then figured he would have to sneak into the tensai's room later. Atobe told them to order whatever they liked from room service and contact him if they need him. His people would call them in the morning after they all got some rest. Then the Vice-Captain bid them good night. Jiroh went into his room with a wink and a small smile as if he knew a secret they didn't.

Gakuto and Yuushi each mumbled an uncomfortable good night and opened their own doors. He figured he would call Yuushi the minute he put his stuff down. The little redhead was amazed at the spacious suite really that was all his. It was bigger than his family's entire downstairs and they had a big house. He heard a noise and turned to look.

They each had their own room but he realized then the Vice-Captain and Jiroh's must have connected in a suite as did Gakuto and Yuushi's. The adjoining door was open and Gakuto saw Yuushi through it standing there as if hesitating to say anything. The small redhead gave a laugh at his genius roommate being too slow to understand there really was nothing to forgive.

But they needed to talk.

About a lot of things.

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Learning to Land