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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.

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Learning to Land. Chapter Sixty Six ~Shishido~

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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They were just finishing warming up when Atobe stalked out of the club room.

Alone. Jiroh still was no where in sight and Shishido had no idea what this meant. What he did know what that Atobe's hair only got that little cowlick in the back when he had been sweating hard. After a long, hard game of tennis or after sex. He felt absolutely no jealousy, Shishido only hoped the sex had somehow calmed him down, but if anything he seemed just as angry as before.

Atobe had everyone line up and started barking orders. He was brutal but honest as he handed out assignments of what people needed to work on. Gakuto was standing next to Shishido, no doubt hoping to catch some stray gossip said on the sly. He and the tensai were again assigned to some practicing on their own as they had been often lately. Atobe turned to Shishido. Ohtori he knew had wisely stepped into another line away from them. Atobe said, "Shishido, Ohtori for your being distracted earlier fifty laps." He paused and glanced at each of them, "Around the grounds. With rackets."

People gasped. Gakuto whistled. At most if you missed practice for no good reason you were assigned ten laps around the grounds. Fifty would be like a marathon. With their rackets too. Atobe turned to Gakuto, "Did you wish to join them?"

Gakuto quickly shook his head no in a way that was comical, but no one laughed. Atobe glared at him a moment more before going on handing out the rest of the assignments. When he was done, he dismissed everyone to get to work and walked away to apparently talk to their coach. Shishido figured he would be removed from the roster for the next day. It was a shame because he felt good about how he had played earlier.

Without a word he and Choutarou found each other and started off. Normally when someone was punished there would be jeers and catcalls but because of Atobe's mood no one said a word. Shishido knew everyone would wonder though how he went from most favored to most punished in under an hour.

They started off at an easy pace. Ohtori went to say something but Shishido shook his head no. They shouldn't talk so close to the courts in case someone, a little suck up looking to get in good with Atobe heard them and reported it. Shishido had to run this before a few times because he had overslept. Never this many laps but he knew the route well. He was already figuring out the places they could rest, walk, and how to make it seem as if they had run the entire time. Shishido had a feeling that Atobe would stop them before they finished because if they really had to run that much, they would miss dinner, hell, they would miss the damn party.

They just had to make it look good and it seemed possible. Ohtori ran well and his pace even with longer legs was easy for Shishido to match. Shishido never told this to anyone, but he loved to run. When he was home on breaks he ran far every day. On some worse days he would even go for a run twice. He remembered that Ohtori mentioned he had asked him to run this morning and regretted not going with him. It would be fun. "Next morning you want to go for a run, count me in, okay?"

Ohtori smiled, "Really? I...I like to run."

Shishido smiled back, "So do I. Good thing Atobe doesn't know that right?" They both laughed a bit. Shishido said, "When we get around the women's dorm, we can't be seen for a while. We should walk a little and we can talk there. If we pick up our pace before we get there each time, we can do this each lap and even if someone is timing us, they won't know. Atobe won't really make us run all fifty if we make it look good. Don't smile and try not to talk no matter what unless we can't be seen. Ten laps usually takes me at this pace all of practice so fifty..."

Ohtori looked at him alarmed. Then he nodded and looked determined. They rounded the side of the building and slowed to a walk. Ohtori said softly, "Shouldn't talk here Shishido-senpai, it echos. There is a place by the old chapel ahead that might be better. I saw it this morning on my way to the music hall."

Shishido watched him to make sure he was fine with the pace and how far they had come. The freshman had been a bit out of shape when he first arrived at Hyoutei, understandably after what he had gone through, but now he seemed very fit. His words were coming fine and despite the pace and distance he was not out of breath either yet, but they had a ways to go. And Ohtori was tired earlier from not sleeping. Shishido was suddenly curious to know who would tire first if either of them. He mentioned this out loud as they reached the end of the building and started to jog again. Ohtori smiled as if he had thought the same thing. Shishido noticed something he had seen earlier but hadn't had the chance to ask about yet, "How did you get the bruise? On your arm?"

The freshman reminded him of a little kid again by his reaction. He looked surprised, found the bruise, and seemed to search his memory for how it got there. Ohtori quickly told Shishido about what happened on his morning run. How he was run into, literally by some guy wearing an ill-fitting Hyoutei junior high uniform and visiting his sister or girlfriend or both. Ohtori said how strange it was, although he thought the guy seemed to be probably a high school student which most people called an OB. He told about the echo and how weird it all was. He went on to describe how their Coach caught him playing in the practice room and said all those nice things about him. That was why the two of them arrived together and Shishido aloud said he was sure that happening would further confuse the people trying to figure out what was going on. They both laughed at the rumors that were surely flying about why they had to run.

Shishido wanted to ask him about the disgusting medicine pheromone things Atobe had, and tell him what happened after Ohtori was ordered out, but they had come upon an area where they could be seen by the general tennis club members.

They grimly ran along in silence until they reached the old church where they could no longer be watched. It was a non-denominational donation from a crazy old alum. It was a church from some other country brought and rebuilt stone by stone over 60 years ago and was mostly an unused building. In fact there were several clubs who wanted the building torn down so they could better utilize the space. Shishido always liked it because it was old and felt like it had a lot of history. There behind the old church, he impulsively decided it would have a little more. Unseen by everyone, he pulled Ohtori into the high bushes behind it. There breathing hard, covered in sweat from running, he held the freshman close and with his heart racing, kissed him.

Sure no one could see them, but anyone could have been watching or looking for them. They were outside. Shishido hadn't looked around enough really to do this. This was dangerous and insane and Shishido forgot all about everything when Ohtori instantly responded and hotly kissed him back making a sigh. Even better than the one he had with Atobe.

Soon after, Shishido tried to break the kiss to explain but Ohtori held him tight and wouldn't let him. Shishido laughed and kept kissing him--he enjoyed the rush as their tongues slid together and the feel as their sweat slicked bodies pressed up hard and demanding against each other. He ran his hands along Ohtori's warm, strong body and pressed himself up against him more so Ohtori had no doubts that Shishido was just as turned on or hard also. Finally Choutarou let him up for air. They were both breathing hard and it had nothing to do with running. Shishido said with a smile, "Sorry...I couldn't stand...that he kissed...you last...anymore..."

The freshman smiled, but his smile faded. He held Shishido possessively closer and asked shyly, "Did...he kiss...you last...too...Shishido-senpai?"

Ohtori looked mortified and probably went to protest that Shishido didn't have to answer, but he quickly cut the freshman off. Shishido smiled a bit happy to be able to give this answer, "No...I told him no...I'll tell you...about it...on our next pass...come on...we have to sprint...to catch up with...where we should be...if we didn't stop...ready?"

"Yes...but...can we stop here...again...next lap?" Ohtori blushed but his eyes were bright and happy.

Shishido laughed very happy, "Maybe...let's go..." He stuck his head out and checked around before sprinting out of the bushes. Ohtori was right behind him and for a while they raced to see who was faster. When he got to where he figured they should be if they hadn't had a very nice detour, Shishido slowed his pace and Ohtori matched him without a word. After a while, Shishido stopped counting each lap, although he had a feeling Ohtori still was. They walked in the places they could, and talked when they got a chance. Shishido told Ohtori much of what happened, although he kept his first time with Atobe to himself and some of the harsher things he and the Vice-Captain had said to each other. As well as Atobe kissing him, and his own temptation. He also kept the coffee-breath thing to himself. About every third pass Shishido pulled Choutarou into the bushes and kissed him soundly.

It was the best punishment he had ever received. When he mentioned this to Ohtori the freshman laughed and agreed. Shishido had decided on the pass after this one, he would pull him into the bushes again and was looking forward to it. Ohtori was too because each time they got near them he would give Shishido this suggestive little look that said he was more than willing to go each time instead of every third. Shishido saw someone running up to them and had to hold back his laugh as Ohtori first gave him that look, but it turned into disappointment as he saw the running person approaching them also.

It was Taki. Over his shoulders he held Ohtori's bag and his own and his hands were full making his run look awkward. Shishido should have figured he would have Ohtori's but wouldn't have his. "Hey!" Taki said and he handed both of them water bottles when he reached them. They had stopped for water several times along the way but this was not some outside fountain. This was icy cold and delicious. Shishido had fight the urge to gulp it down.

They went into a walk without needing to speak and Taki matched them. Automatically Shishido turned to Ohtori and said, "Drink it slow...or you'll give...yourself cramps." He held his hand to take the water from the freshman's lips and wanted to place his own on them and kiss him. He had such a sudden urge to feel where the cold water had touched his hot lips and tongue and together bring both their mouths back to hot, that he could barely hold back. "Slow..."

Ohtori smiled as if he had thought the same thing. They walked along stupidly smiling at each other until Taki reminded them of his presence. He was breathing hard and must have sprinted to catch up with them, but even after practice he wasn't breathing as hard as they were. "Atobe said you both are done for today...Sorry Shishido, I don't have your locker combination to get your stuff...but it's unlocked for the next thirty minutes so if you hurry...you can get your things...So...uh...how many laps did you guys finish?"

Ohtori stopped drinking water long enough to say, "Fourteen." The freshman smiled at Shishido as if to say he could have run a hundred more if they did them together.

"Damn..." Taki said in awe. "Well...uh see you later Shishido. We should be able to...catch the rest of dinner, Ohtori and...uh Shishido...you should hurry to get your things before they lock up...See you...Come on Ohtori..." Taki possessively grabbed the freshman's wrist. As they walked one way and Shishido went the other he heard Taki say, "Damn Ohtori...you're all sweaty." Shishido liked the freshman's sweat and had to resist the urge to lick around his mouth to see if he could taste it more. He wanted to spit out his gum which was almost devoid of all flavor, but he and Ohtori has passed it back and forth when they stopped so he kept it. He saw Taki wipe his hand that had been around Ohtori's wrist. Shishido waved back to Ohtori.

He smiled all the way back to the clubhouse. Shishido felt so good he jogged there too. It was dark and growing darker so he didn't care that he was smiling while running. He quickly jumped into one of the showers and washed himself up, needing to still cool down after the run although he felt nothing but high. And more than a runner's high.

He remembered Taki and Ohtori were having that dinner he made earlier and that he was going to work on his report until it was time to get ready for the party. He didn't know why Taki wanted to go to the dining hall with Ohtori first unless dinner was bad or burned, but Shishido figured it was to show everyone that Ohtori was with Taki and had survived their punishment. More games as usual with Taki.

He was just about to walk out when he heard a noise. Shishido set his bag down and called out, "Hello? Is anyone here still?" No one answered. For some reason he had a sudden sense of danger, one that tickled the fine hairs along the back of his neck and he had a sudden urge to get out of there as quickly as possible. He pushed open the front door and on impulse let it slam shut. A moment later he heard a noise again so he set off in the direction he heard it coming from. The room he had been in earlier.

Shishido pushed open the door and noticed without the light on a pile of clothes in the corner. He clicked the light on and the clothes moved. A half-naked Jiroh sat up and rubbed eyes that had obviously been crying. "Turn the light out please." He croaked and held his hands to his eyes, "Who is it?"

Shishido hit the lights off and said, "It's Shishido. Jiroh--you, okay?"

"Fine. Go away." The ball in the corner lay back down.

"Jiroh you can't stay here. They're going to lock up for the night soon. You'll get locked in alone all night. You'll miss dinner, and the party later." Shishido went to him worried maybe something happened. Maybe Atobe in his anger had hurt him too.

Jiroh gave a small laugh, "So? It's not like anyone cares or anything."

"I care." Shishido said and went to him. He didn't touch him but leaned against the wall and sank to the floor beside him. Jiroh gave a snort of laughter as if he didn't believe him. "What? I do. Look we're not friends or anything, but it's not like I don't care. And anyway, I know what you're probably going through better than anyone else. Hell I was you last year."

"Oh yeah?" Jiroh sounded heartbroken and bitter which was such a change from how he normally was Shishido was very alarmed, "When you were with him last year did he love someone else and treat you terribly? I don't think so, Shishi..."

He thought about Tezuka and interrupted, "Yeah Jiroh he did. That's how he is. The person he cares about most is himself and he only wants what he can't have. You think he has feelings for me? Hell no. He just wants me because I left him." Shishido paused and thought a moment, "Jiroh, have you been here all this time?"

Jiroh shrugged, "After you left we...uh...and then he left. Guess I was waiting for him to come find me, but he never did." Jiroh sighed, "Pathetic huh? I know, you don't have to tell me I'm an idiot." Jiroh sniffled.

Shishido shrugged, "You're not an idiot, you just gave your heart to the wrong person."

"Ha!" Jiroh surprisingly laughed, "Now you sound like Gakuto."

Shishido smiled, "May the gods help us all, I finally agree with Gakuto on something." Despite his better judgment Shishido decided to confess to Jiroh of all people. "I'll tell you a secret, I don't want back with Atobe. Not now and not ever. In fact, there's someone else I really like."

Jiroh gasped, "Seriously? Does he know?"

Shishido shrugged, "Atobe? Yeah, he knows. Which is what today was all about." He told Jiroh about having to run 50 laps around the grounds with his roommate but left out all the details. He knew Jiroh if he wanted to could put it together based on what Atobe said earlier. "Come on Jiroh, throw on your clothes and I'll walk with you back to the dorms. Dinner is probably over." He didn't think Jiroh would but surprisingly he complied even holding his hand out to let Shishido pull him up to standing.

"How did you do this Shishido? How did you go through this and survive? Sometimes it's so exhausting, it's hard to get up." Jiroh's face was a mask of pain and hurt.

Shishido shrugged and felt bad for the guy, "I didn't do this. I left him remember? Its the only thing he respects and responds to. And how I survived is because you have to." He thought of Ohtori, "You're going to get through this Jiroh. You're going to get through all this and someday you'll meet someone else you like and be happy." Shishido thought about it, "And the thing is, when you get over it, you wonder why the hell you stuck around so long."

"He's a good person Shishido, and he cares, really cares, he just..." Jiroh searched for the words and after what had happened and Atobe not finding him, even Jiroh was out of defense for their Vice-Captain. Jiroh turned and splashed cold water on his face, puffy from crying.

"You don't have to tell me that," Shishido said a little annoyed. "He's not a bad guy, but you deserve more than someone who is only with you for now. You deserve someone who wants to really be with you instead of someone who outright says this is just for fun, because he is marrying his J-Chan when she finds him again." Shishido rolled his eyes. It was something Atobe said to anyone who he had serious feelings for and he assumed Jiroh had heard the story too. Atobe had met a girl when he was a young child. They had been playmates and according to Atobe, his first and only friend. He proudly said that she was a poor girl, a Gardner's daughter or a maid's child from a neighboring estate, but she was beautiful and he never forgot her. After that summer, he and she promised to find each other and marry when they grew up. Atobe hadn't seen her since but held on to this fantasy completely.

Shishido had been jealous of her, but it was like being jealous of a ghost who didn't exist. He thought about Ohtori's friend and realized it was the same kind of feeling he often had for the freshman's dead best friend. Shishido leaned against the locker and thought. He was looking down and didn't notice that Jiroh had come up to him and was staring at him with his mouth open. "He told you about that?" Jiroh said looking deeply shaken.

Shishido shrugged, "Of course. He tells everyone he is into that he can't get too serious or make any promises because he is going to marry J-Chan. He doesn't even know her name so it's not like that is ever going to happen. Did he tell you about her?"

Jiroh nodded, "Yeah, but Shishido? Can I tell you something? A secret? Something not even he knows?"

Shishido shrugged and nodded. It cost him nothing to keep the guy's secret and at that moment, Jiroh really needed a friend as Shishido once had. Shishido had no one to go to back then, but he could be there for Jiroh now. "Sure. I won't say anything. I swear." Shishido said his oath and wondered why. He figured it was just that Jiroh seemed so shaken to his core and the thought of the guy choosing to cry alone all night, waiting for Atobe. It reminded Shishido of how horrible that was.

"Shishido? I'm J-Chan. He doesn't know. I guess I hoped he would figure it out by now, but you know he only sees what he wants to." Jiroh looked at him gravely.

Shishido couldn't help himself he gave a little laugh. It was so impossible. All of it.

Jiroh smiled slightly. "Why are you laughing?" He asked so open and honestly it reminded Shishido of Ohtori, "No tell me why."

He stopped laughing. Shishido said in awe, "You...you're serious! You really are J-Chan? That...that's impossible!"

Jiroh looked at him confused. "Why? Because he thinks I'm a girl? We never gave our names. There is a big pond, almost a lake on his property and the fence between our land and the Atobe's has a split in it hidden by some trees. My grandfather lived in the estate next door. He was very sick and dying so my family moved in with him for the summer. Probably to wait for him to die so they could get his money, but everyone was there. I was the only kid and they were sick of entertaining me so they hired an old lady to babysit me. I didn't like her, but the good thing was she went to bed early every night and took a nap every afternoon. We were seven. I used to runaway and hide, sneak away and go play with K-Chan whenever I could. That's what he called himself so when he asked my name, I told him J-Chan for my given name too. I knew who he was, and because of our fathers, I wasn't allowed to play with him at all. I didn't know why, just that it was forbidden so I was afraid if I told him my name he wouldn't play with me anymore." They opened the door to the cooler evening air. Jiroh held his things and turned to Shishido before they walked out. He looked around and made a face, "It feels weird in here for some reason, spooky."

Shrugging Shishido agreed, "Yeah, it really does. Maybe because it's empty?"

They walked out together. Shishido found himself riveted to the story having heard a very different version--one with a little girl like an angel--many times from Atobe. Jiroh continued, "Where was I? Oh. I wasn't allowed to play with him. But he was my friend. He was nice. He would bring me all kinds of food and let me sleep in the shade next to him when I was tired until it was early evening. We used to catch fireflies and frogs by the pond." Jiroh smiled remembering, but his smile faded in the dim light.

"But then my grandfather died and I had to go back home. I ran away and told K-Chan if they found me, I would never see him again. He cried. We both did. He was so cute. He thought he had done something to make me not like him and that was why I was going away. We spent all night crying and hugging by the pond. He kissed me, my first kiss and told me he loved me." Jiroh brushed away tears still shed years later.

Shishido understood better than anyone that things that happened to you around that age, could affect you for the rest of your life. He just couldn't ever tell anyone why he knew that so well.

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Learning to Land