There Comes a Time

Tezuka thought briefly about trying to find Echizen, but he knew it was no use. Just like a cat, he would be found only when he wanted to be. Tezuka didn’t want to lose Fuji, but he didn’t even know if he could handle the strong willed tensai after what he had pulled. What if he did something similar again? What he had done to Echizen was unacceptable, and that was his own team mate. Didn’t Fuji remember it was supposed to be them against the world? He thought of Echizen. Of the hurt and disbelief he saw in the huge bronze eyes. Of the unexpected desire that washed through him as the rookie watched him kiss Fuji. He didn’t know if he could handle this. It was too much. For once Tezuka felt like he was out of his league, and a horrible thought occurred to him, one that had not occurred to him since his first year. Perhaps He should leave Seigaku.

He turned to watch Fuji walk away. Tezuka stifled the urge to go after him, and just hold him. He wasn’t really sure if the urge was because he wanted to comfort Fuji or to comfort himself. What was he thinking about? Leave Seigaku…. That was ridiculous. Leaving Seigaku would not only kill his own dreams, but break his promise to Oishi, & to the rest of the team. It would mean he had ripped up his own shoulder for nothing while playing Atobe, and it certainly wouldn’t help Fuji or Echizen. Leaving was the coward’s way out, and if nothing else, Tezuka Kunimitsu was not a coward. He grabbed his tennis bag and went home. A hot shower and a half eaten dinner later, Tezuka was no closer to finding answers. He walked outside to stare at the Koi in the moonlight, ‘Think Tezuka. Think.” He did not need to tick points off on his fingers to know all the things that had gone wrong. He should have known it could never be that easy. Few things ever were. He had been positive that anyone having a problem with his involvement with Fuji could just dry up and rot for all he cared. Unfortunately his musings had never included Echizen. He had not thought it would matter to the raven haired player, that their own relationship would be damaged, and he had never believed Echizen would have been hurt by it. Nor in a million years had desire been added into the equation between them anywhere. At first he had been sure without question that he would have stayed by Fuji’s side, but both Fuji’s duplicity and maliciousness, as well as Echizen’s unexpected pain, made Tezuka wonder if it was possible. Fuji wanted to stop Tezuka from loving Echizen. That’s what he’d said. Tezuka’s lips pursed together. Tezuka loved Echizen. He already did. He knew that. He’d never voiced it, but had always known it. He had never before taken such an interest or attachment to anyone. But he’d never put a label on it. The love he had for Echizen never had desire attached to it before now. No matter what, he didn’t want Echizen to suffer. Tezuka sighed. The only thing he knew was that he needed to talk to Echizen.

Maybe if Tezuka had paid more attention, or been more open and accessible, maybe Echizen and Fuji wouldn’t have been hurt. Maybe Tezuka wouldn’t be hurt now. Because even though he hated to admit it, he was. Tezuka was hurting. He didn’t like hurting Fuji, and he missed him already, but the tensai had caused this set of events and now Tezuka was left to straighten them out. He also missed Echizen dreadfully. He hadn’t paid such particular attention to their special bond until it was being taken from him. He had even felt it with him in Germany, but now…….he knew Echizen was hurting. He was hurting terribly. Tezuka swore he could almost feel his pain. He needed to find him and hear what he had to say, to listen to him rant, and rave if that is what Echizen wanted to do. After that, he wanted the boy to listen to how he felt too. He spun on his heel and walked into the house and climbed into bed. Once the decision had been made he knew he could find sleep easier.

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Fuji went home and washed his face. He deserved what he’d gotten. In fact, he knew he deserved worse. He wasn’t being self effacing, he just knew he had been mean to someone who had always treated him with respect and kindness, and he had hurt Tezuka by reacting just like Hanaka and countless other jealous lovers had. Still Tezuka hadn’t taken him apart as bad as he could have, and he said he hadn’t given up on them yet. After calming himself and making some tea, he picked up the phone and dialed a number. He waited to hear the throaty voice on the other end before letting go of the breath he’d been holding unconsciously. “Meiko?……”

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Tezuka walked away from the tennis courts at the University. That was the 5th one he’d been to, none had seen Echizen. He’d checked all the spots that he and Momoshiro usually stopped at… the tennis store, the burger place….. the other burger place…… tennis courts where Fudomine plays….. yet another burger place, as well as a noodle shop, but no Echizen. He had one more to try then he was heading to Echizen’s house in the hopes that he would have to go home for the evening, it was a Saturday night, at least he might be up with his dad. He turned the corner into the tennis courts in the public park surprised to find Oishi and Eiji there. Oishi was drinking from the fountain, he was sweating and looked as if he had just finished playing a hard round, Eiji was currently doing tricks on the monkey bars, entertaining the neighborhood kids who simply could not keep up with the acrobat. Both of his team mates waved to him when they saw him enter, Eiji went back to doing flips on the bars. Oishi walked over to a bench and sat down waiting for Tezuka to cross the distance and sit with him. Tezuka paused, not really having the time to spare, but his heavy heart pushed him forward towards his friend.

Oishi watched Tezuka walk towards him. His captain looked terrible. As he neared, Tezuka ran an irritated hand thru his shaggy hair, failing to mess the locks up at all. Oishi wished absently that he had hair like that. When Tezuka sat down, he turned his eyes upon his vice captain, and Oishi knew things were not going well because of the dark chocolate color of his eyes. Tezuka’s eyes were usually brown with flecks of lighter brown and gold. The more intense, excited or up his friend was, the brighter more mixed the colors became. The solid dark chocolate color said lots. Oishi didn’t wait for Tezuka to stumble thru pleasantries. “How bad is it?” Tezuka looked at him, wondering how much he knew. Oishi shook his head, “You look terrible. It’s obviously not been a good day for you, so just tell me how bad it is.” Tezuka crossed his arms and exhaled as if a hard burden were being released, “It’s pretty bad.” He turned to see warm green eyes regarding him, “Tezuka. I’m your friend. I am here if you need me. You don’t need to fear that I won’t understand how you feel for loving Fuji or……..Echizen.” Tezuka gasped, his pupils reduced to pinpricks.

Oishi had never seen Tezuka stutter. If he didn’t feel so bad for his friend, he might have thought it amusing. He had to stop him from injuring himself, he’d never seen Tezuka so flummoxed. “Easy. Easy. Remember who you are talking to, Tezuka. I’ve been with you a long time. I’ve been watching everything that has come down around your head the last few weeks, actually Eiji and I both have. And believe me, I understand how you feel. I’ve probably dated more girls than you, and I was shocked to find myself in love with my partner.” His eyes cut to where Eiji continued his stunts with the kids following him like the pied piper. Tezuka sighed heavily, “But how did you know about Echizen? I didn’t even know.” Oishi smiled, “Believe it or not, Fuji is the one who came as a surprise for me. I knew you two were tight, good friends, but I always knew you loved Echizen.” As Tezuka started to protest, he held up his hands, “Wait. Let me clarify. I never in a million years saw you with a male lover. But if you were going to pick one, I would have thought that eventually it would be the ochibi. Eiji was the one who did not seem surprised by your involvement with Fuji. Apparently he knew Fuji wanted you for a long time.” Tezuka’s fingers rubbed his temples, unable to process that so much had been swirling just out of his notice for so long. He felt Oishi pat him on the back. “When me, Eiji and Echizen chased you and Fuji into the locker room, we saw you two together, and that pretty much clinched what Eiji and I already thought was happening. After we closed the door, we had to drag Echizen out bodily. I knew then that things were going to get worse for you.” Tezuka’s mouth dropped open. “You had to drag him out?” Oishi nodded. “At first he was shocked, he didn’t seem to get it. Then he looked like he was going to cry, and he kept saying ‘How could he? Why him?’ I’m afraid Eiji didn’t help matters by telling Echizen that you two were falling in love and to get a hold of himself.” Tezuka groaned and put his head in his hands, Oishi rubbed his back absently, “It’s okay. Just tell me what happened.”

Tezuka outlined the bare basics, finishing with the kiss, and Echizen running off, and him telling Fuji to go home. Oishi couldn’t contain the frown that found its way to his face. Tezuka thought he was angry because he had told Fuji he couldn’t’ see him right now, but he was surprised to find that Oishi didn’t see it that way at all. “Fuji should not have done that. I understand why he did, jealousy is a powerful thing. I’ve done some dumb things because I was jealous of losing Eiji, but he should have remembered not to hurt Echizen.” Tezuka nodded. To his surprise Oishi offered no advice, so he told how he had gotten up early and gone to look at several of the courts to see if he could find Echizen, obviously he had no luck yet. Oishi frowned, “You have to keep looking. If either of us sees him we will be sure to call you, but you can’t just let this go anymore. I said he would seek you out and he did. Now he must feel like you slapped him in the face with your desire for Fuji, and he is too hurt to come to you again.” Tezuka nodded, “Aah. But that’s not how I meant it.” Tezuka glanced at him, “So you have no opinions on what I should do? Do you think I was wrong for distancing myself from Fuji?” Oishi hummed softly as he tried to find the right words, “I can’t tell you what you should do about your love life Tezuka. Only you can know who you love, who you can be with, but I will say that whether you chose one or the other, or neither one, Fuji can’t be allowed to do things like this. He tried to control you, and that’s not good.” Tezuka nodded, he already knew that. He smiled slightly at Oishi, and held out his hand. Oishi took it and shook it, “Oishi… you are a good friend.” He stood up feeling clearer and all around better just because he had someone to talk to. It hadn’t answered any questions, but he knew he wasn’t alone. “Please call me if you see Echizen.” Oishi nodded, and Eiji waved as Tezuka left.

Eiji waited until he saw Tezuka was gone before jumping down and running to Oishi. “Well what happened? He looks terrible. Is Fuji okay?” Oishi said, “I don’t know if Fuji is okay, but Echizen is definitely not.” Eiji’s face screwed up, “Well he’ll have to get over it, Tezuka is in love with Fuji, that’s the way it is.” Oishi shushed him, “How do you know that?” Eiji stuttered, “What do you mean, how do I know that? You saw! That’s how I know.” Oishi shook his head, “Yes, but did you hear Tezuka say he loved Fuji? Or did he ever say he didn’t love Echizen? And Fuji hurt Echizen on purpose, he’s run away.” Eiji closed one eye, “What do you mean?” Oishi told his lover about what he just learned, and Eiji’s sapphire eyes gathered tears, “Oh poor ochibi-chan! Why would Fuji do that? That’s sad but Tezuka belongs with Fuji, not Echizen.” Oishi’s eyebrows drew down, “Eiji, who is to say that one way or the other?” Eiji screamed, “What!? You want Tezuka with Echizen!?” Oishi exhaled in exasperation, “I didn’t say that either. Its not for me to decide or you. It’s Tezuka’s call.” Eiji shouted some more, “But I like them together, they make a good couple. I want them together.” Oishi’s eyes grew sad. “I wonder how that would make Echizen feel.” Eiji blinked sadly realizing his mistake, “But still…..” Oishi added, “How would you feel if I listened to my parents on who they wanted me to love, or to the people I grew up with on the choosing of my mate? I know they would not have chosen you, Eiji. I know your friends would never have chosen me.” Large tears gathered in the sapphire eyes, “You’re right Oishi. I am wrong. No one has a right to choose except Tezuka. Poor Ochibi….. Poor Fuji…..” Oishi added silently, ‘poor Tezuka….’

Tezuka walked up to the Echizen home, he marveled once again at the beauty of the temple grounds as he pressed the bell and waited for a response. Nanjiro Echizen opened the door, and immediately recognized him, “Ah! Tezuka-kun. You’re out late. I guess your looking for that son of mine?” Tezuka bowed slightly, “Hai. I’m sorry for the late hour, but it’s important that I speak with him, is he here?” Nanjiro studied the captain for a second. He knew that this was the person who had motivated his son, this was the one who had made his son sit up and take notice, and he hoped he could break the boy out of the funk he’d been in for days. He’d tried torturing it out of Ryoma, but nothing seemed to work. “You are here because he has been in such a foul mood. Am I right?” Tezuka made a thorough study of the ground beneath his feet, “Hai.” Nanjiro said, “Well if anyone can fix it you can. I won’t ask what its about. He went to sleep over Momoshiro’s house this weekend. You can catch him with the hedgehog tomorrow if you like. You should come by more often Tezuka-kun.” Tezuka smiled at Nanjiro’s description of Momo’s hair, thanked him, said he definitely would and asked if he would please let Ryoma know he had come by as he left, then Tezuka headed home, thinking he could at least track him down tomorrow. When he pulled himself wearily into bed, the images in his mind clicked back and forth between Fuji walking away crying and Echizen jogging off. Two tears slid over the bridge of Tezuka’s nose as he fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mieko sat across the bed from him in his room, looking as lovely as ever. They sipped tea as she listened to his tale of woe. Syuusuke was not heartless, he knew how she felt about him, and did not go into any details about his intimacy with Tezuka, he only told her about the over all goodness of the last few days, and his mistakes. How he couldn’t seem to help himself, and his hurting of Echizen. She pursed her lips at him. “Wait. Echizen is the one who played doubles with you against Tezuka? The one who you told me was trying to help you?” She watched as he nodded sadly, “Oh Syuusuke….. how could you?” He sighed, “I know. You don’t have to tell me, I’m a real jerk.” She smiled, “I was thinking asshole, actually…” Blue eyes narrowed and he threw the pillow at her; she caught it deftly. “Tezuka was so angry he told me he didn’t want to see me right then, even though he had just asked me to hang out with him that evening for a movie at his house.” She countered with, “Do you blame him?” He shook his head no. “But what do I do?” “Well you apologized already, so you’ve covered that. You can’t ever try and manipulate him again, you know. He is too strong for you to get away with that kind of thing.” He nodded, he raised sad eyes to her, “I was just trying to stop him from being with Echizen.” She frowned a bit, considering, “But Syuusuke, you never even gave Tezuka a chance. Echizen may want Tezuka, but it may not go both ways. You never gave him a chance to be true to you, now you’ve managed to scare him pretty badly after what he went thru with that Hanaka bitch. You may have damaged what you had whether he wants Echizen or not.” Tears gathered in the brilliant blue eyes, “I know that. I just don’t know what to do now. I remember I told you before there has always been something between Echizen and him. But he wanted me! I know he did. I thought he was starting to love me, How can he love Echizen too?” She shrugged, “Yes, I remember that. But what makes YOU so special?” his crestfallen look speared her, “I said, What makes you think you’re so special?” he shook his head, “What do you mean?” She leaned forward, “When you were with me. You said you loved me. Was that real? Or was it just a lie?” his eyes glittered dangerously, “Yes it was real. I meant it. I still do.” She nodded, she believed him, it was nice to know. “So you love me, but I know for a fact that you also love Tezuka. What makes you so special that you think you can love 2 people, and he can not?” Fuji blinked.

She continued, “This problem you have….There’s not much you CAN do. The only advice I can give you is from a hypothetical standpoint.” He looked at her awaiting explanation, “Let’s take You, Me and Tezuka for instance. You said you loved me, but you loved him too. That night after we made love, if I had said to you that I loved you, I wanted you, and I didn’t care if you had Tezuka too, as long as you stayed with me, would you have accepted both of us as lovers?” He chuckled, “What idiot wouldn’t take that deal?” She smiled, “Now change that a bit, same 3 people, and I say I love you, I want you but you can’t have Tezuka too. I want you all to myself. What happens now?” He shrugged, “Well if Tezuka didn’t actually want me, then I’d be all yours no questions asked.” She nodded, “But if he did?” he stalled. “You don’t have to sugar coat it, Syuusuke. I would have lost that match up, because you wanted him more.” He nodded as she continued, “Now apply that to your situation. Tezuka is already with you and he has been making love to you, he cares about you -as a friend at the very least, and if I am not mistaken, he would sooner cut off an arm before wanting to hurt you again. What do you do? Remember, it’s possible that he wants Echizen more. Do you say he can do whatever he likes, or do you demand to have him all to yourself? ” Fuji sighed, and shook his head, “I see your point. In other words, it doesn’t matter if he wants Echizen or not. If I choose the second scenario, I will lose. He is already frightened because of my possessive streak.” She nodded, glad he saw the answer, “It all depends on how much you want to be with him. You have to relax your hold on him, or you will lose him completely. Echizen or not. Do what you did last time Syuusuke, or just walk away.” He raised his eyebrows, “Give him an option he doesn’t think he has.”

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Tezuka got up early on Sunday as was normal for him. He went outside and did 1 ½ times his normal amount of running. He needed to work out the stress. Then he came in, showered and had tea with his cranberries before he had breakfast. All that and it was still only 730. He got homework papers out that he had left undone, he did those while keeping one eye on the clock. As soon as he thought it was a reasonable hour (900 to be exact), he got up and left the house, heading straight for Momoshiro’s residence. He hated calling so early, but the churning in his gut would not allow him to rest until he got this put to rights. Momoshiro’s mother answered the door, and called Momo down. The sleepy purple eyes were surprised to see Tezuka, “Hoi, buchou. Is something the matter?” Tezuka nodded, “I am sorry to bother you Momo, but I need to see Echizen. His father said he was here, may I speak to him?” Momo scratched his head, “Hoi, hoi,hoi…. He was here, but he got up real early and left. He said he couldn’t sleep anymore. Which is really weird since every other time he’s slept over it would be almost noon before we could pull him out of bed. Tezuka frowned, “Did he say where he was going?” Momoshiro shook his head. “He took his clothes and his tennis bag and left, that’s all I know. But they are playing a street tournament by the south end trench today before lunch, maybe he went to see that.” Tezuka nodded, “Thank you Momoshiro. I will see you in practice tomorrow.” Tezuka headed over to the tournament he was told about, and stayed for a few hours to see if Echizen would show, but the cocky player was nowhere to be found. He felt so disheartened, he left without any idea of where to go next.

Half an hour later, he was surprised to find himself on Fuji’s doorstep. He didn’t remember traveling here, but he must have. Before he rang the doorbell, he called him on his cell and said he was outside, could he come in for a while? Fuji said yes of course, and came to the door to get him. When he opened the front door, he was sad to see how terrible Tezuka looked. His hair lacked its normal luster, and his eyes were dark and cheerless. He was still beautiful of course, but it seemed as if some of the life had seeped out of him. Tezuka said hello to Fuji’s mom as they passed the kitchen on the way to Fuji’s bedroom. Fuji closed the door securely behind them, and Tezuka sat on the bed with his legs open. His elbows rested on his knees, his forehead lay forlornly in his hands. Fuji stayed across the room but he could feel the unhappiness from all the way over here. It did not take long for Fuji to go over in his mind how much he cared about this man, and how he did not want to see him like this. It was really peculiar if you thought about it. A few short weeks ago he would have given his life for just a kiss, then he unexpectedly became his lover, and low and behold, Fuji suddenly needed to own him. He shook his head at himself. When did I become so shallow and selfish? He asked softly, “Did you speak to him yet?” Tezuka shook his head without raising it. “No. I’ve searched for two days and I can’t find him. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was staying just one step ahead of me.” Fuji said, “Mn. You don’t look so good, Tezuka.” Tezuka was surprised to find his eyes staring at the tops of Fuji’s thighs. He had crossed the room softly to stand before him without Tezuka even realizing it. When Tezuka lifted his head Fuji stepped in between his legs in an unspoken invitation. Tezuka put his head in Fuji’s belly and wrapped his arms around his waist as Fuji’s arms similarly came around his shoulders, the fingers threading gently through his hair. Tezuka sighed inwardly at the caress. He gave Fuji a slight squeeze before he voiced his thoughts, “I haven’t spoken to him yet, and I don’t really know what that will bring, but I have made some decisions about you and I. They have no bearing at all on whatever happens when I finally find Echizen.” Fuji resisted the temptation to tense up, but after talking to Mieko and using his own instincts, he thought he knew what Tezuka was going to say so he nodded in ascent, waiting.

Tezuka’s neck and shoulders tensed knowing his words may not be well received, but he forged ahead, “Fuji, I want you to know how much I care about you. I truly don’t want to lose you. I would miss what we have very much. However after what has happened I want you to know I can’t accept things the way they are. I can not worry that you will bend me to your will, or be jealous of anyone, least of all Echizen. Or that you will think you have the right to it. If you and I are to have any kind of relationship that is more then friends and team mates, it has to be casual. It can not be something to cause jealousy and strife for either of us. You may see other people if you want to. I’ll understand if you just want to go back to our former friendship, but I simply can not do this with you right now. I have not even figured out how to fix what is wrong with Echizen and I ….it could wind up being worse………” He found his rambling words silenced by Fuji’s fingers gently over his lips. He glanced up into blue eyes expecting them to be filled with anger or tears, what he got instead was a soft caring smile, “Ssshhh Tezuka. It’s okay. I understand.” He blinked several times, it was okay? Huh? Fuji wanted to grin because of the absolute confusion written on Tezuka’s face, “Really. It’s okay. What I did was wrong, plain and simple. I don’t own you. I don’t know what will happen with Echizen, but if you want to be with him too I will accept it, although I don’t know if he will agree to you having me. I must apologize to him for hurting him, it was childish of me.”

Tezuka couldn’t find the words. Large hazel eyes blinked several more times, his eyebrows drew together in confusion. He had an irrational urge to search for an outsized vegetable pod in the closet just to make sure this Syuusuke wasn’t a pod-person. Tezuka didn’t have any intentions of seeing anyone else, but he had to find a way to keep the tensai in line, this was all he could think of. “Syuusuke? Are you sure?” Fuji nodded, “Mieko straightened me out a little bit. She even called me an asshole. Can you believe it?” Tezuka could believe she would call him that. The thought made his lips curve up slightly as he replaced his head in Fuji’s belly. Tezuka suddenly found himself really loving the green-eyed girl. He felt gentle fingers run through his hair, just grazing the skin, the simple caress calming him and seeming to assure him that his tensai meant every word. When he looked up, soft lips kissed his a few times, the fingers still caressing his hair. Fuji slowly lifted one leg and brought it over Tezuka’s, his knee resting on the bed beside the firm thigh. He waited for a second, giving his captain the option of refusal, but none came. Slowly the other leg followed, his body now straddling Tezuka’s lap. His fingers never stopped their gentle caress, soft lips opened, encouraging Tezuka to do the same. Silky and smooth, tongues touched, mated without hurry or passion. Fuji pulled away, and smiled, “I’d ask you to make love to me, but my mother would probably hear us.” Tezuka smiled, feeling very relieved. It wasn’t perfect; it couldn’t be, but it was so much better. He couldn’t believe Fuji had taken so much of the weight off of him. A fierce hug, then Syuusuke was being eased off his lap. Tezuka stood up and felt like he should go home and take a nap, his hands framed Fuji’s face and gave him another deeper kiss before he took his leave. Tezuka went straight home and into bed. He passed out and didn’t return to consciousness until his alarm clock went off for school the next morning.

The next school day dawned bright, morning practice happened in a sluggish manner. The team’s unity still suffering. Edgy words and cross glances became more numerous as team members silently pointed mental fingers at each other for Echizen’s absence. Several of them directed none too gently at Tezuka, a few even speared Fuji for the loss. Tezuka’s eyes closed and his frown deepened. It was all his fault, the entire team seemed to be falling apart around him. They could possibly make it through without Echizen’s input as a player, but the lack of morale would do them in during nationals. Tezuka and Oishi went to classes together afterwards, noting that Tezuka looked better, although still not great. In their first period, he told Oishi the abbreviated version of what he and Fuji had agreed to, and Oishi thought it turned out very well. The day wore on, seeming to pick at Tezuka’s last nerve. He had checked each of Echizen’s classes, and the boy hadn’t come to school today at all.

During lunch time Tezuka was sitting with Fuji, Eiji and Oishi when his cell phone vibrated. He pulled it out, noticing the phone number as he flipped open the phone, “Atobe?” The other 3 seniors watched as Tezuka’s eyes went wide, his face paling to an ashy gray. They listened intently to hear what the captain of Hyotei could possibly have to say that would make Tezuka so upset. “Echizen? Where? Hai……. He said what?………I’m coming. Keep him there as long as you can. Thank you, Atobe.” He snapped the phone closed, and turned to Oishi, “Can you please take my bag with you? I have to find Momoshiro, I need his bike.” When all 3 of his team mates started asking questions all at once, he yelled over his shoulder as he dashed out, “Echizen is at Hyotei. He is asking for permission to join their team. He wants to change schools.” All 3 faces dropped as the captain raced out of the lunch room in search of Momoshiro. Fuji’s eyes welled up with tears. He tried to blink them away but Eiji and Oishi noticed, Eiji wordlessly grabbed his arm in support. It’s not me who needs the support right now. Fuji wasn’t sure who the tears were for, for Tezuka whose heart was breaking, or for Echizen, whose was already broken. The next 5 mins found Tezuka on Momo’s bike, racing thru traffic across town.

Atobe had walked out of his classes because Jiroh had told him that the 1st yr from Seigaku was out by the tennis courts looking for him. The beautiful diva strolled outside, flicking his hair away from his face, to find a very messed up looking Echizen standing there with his tennis bag waiting for him. He was in school clothes. He wondered what the cocky guy wanted. “Hoi, Echizen. What it is you want from ore-sama in the middle of a school day?” the next words almost knocked him over. “I want to join Hyotei.” There were few things in this world that left Hyotei’s captain at a loss for words. This was one of them. He blinked several times, “I thought you just said you wanted to join Hyotei.” When Echizen nodded, he continued, “While I would always love to pick up a good player, I have no desire to feel Tezuka’s hands wrapped around my neck. And perhaps you can tell me why would I want someone who has no loyalty?” Echizen’s face got angry, “He doesn’t care about me. It won’t matter to him. I hate him.” Atobe’s eyes first widened, then narrowed dangerously. What a complete jerk this rookie is. He stepped forward and grabbed the boy by the front of his shirt, lifting him off the floor. “There are many things I will tolerate, but speaking so callously about Tezuka is not one of them, especially from YOU of all people Echizen. After all he’s tried to do for you.” Echizen blinked, “What has he tried to do for me?” Atobe thrust the boy away from him, “Che…. You have no idea how much that man has done for you, do you? He even asked favors from Ore-sama all the way from Germany for you, and yet you do this? Ungrateful wretch.” Echizen’s eyes unexpectedly filled with tears, “I don’t know what you are talking about. He has Fuji, what does he need me for?” Atobe saw it then. His insight gave him a clear view of the boy’s pain. He suddenly knew what was happening and had to figure out a way to let Tezuka know. Atobe nodded, “Fine. Well just as prospective members of the Shinsengumi had to fight Soji Okita to get in, you will have to fight me to get in.” Echizen’s face became cocky, “You know how good I am, why do you need me to beat you around the court, Monkey King?” Atobe laughed, “You have no concentration. You’re a mess. You need to prove you can pull yourself together or you are worthless to me. Let me change, I’ll be right back.” Echizen watched the diva walk into the locker rooms to get his gear. While he was out of sight, Atobe placed the call to Tezuka, hearing how panicked his fellow captain was on the other end of the phone, he knew immediately he had done the right thing.

Atobe returned a few moments later in tennis gear, with racket in hand. He took up a serving position across the court from Echizen. “You’d better pay attention Echizen.” Atobe served, and served hard. The ball skittered past without Echizen having a chance to reach it. Obviously the diva was not planning on allowing Echizen into Hyotei without a fight. Echizen crouched down and paid attention. The game progressed, with Atobe beating him soundly. The diva never said a word, not taunting him, nor joking about his beautiful moves. Echizen wasn’t sure if Atobe was really ‘on’ today or if he was really ‘off’. Sometime during the third set, Atobe was about to toss the ball up for a serve when his eyes raised, and he suddenly relaxed his stance, bringing both ball and racket down, looking beyond Echizen’s shoulder. Atobe lifted the racket slightly in greeting, then turned and walked away. The bronze eyes widened to round orbs as he heard the deep voice behind him, “Echizen.”

The raven haired boy slowly lowered his racket and closed his eyes realizing he was caught. Atobe, that stupid monkey king had called on him. He turned to face his captain, surprised to see him breathing hard, his hair damp at the edges from sweat. What did he do? Run here? He blinked tilted bronze eyes at the man, “What is it, Tezuka?” He had not said his normal ‘buchou’. His eyes were cold and detached, and Tezuka was surprised to find that for once he could not read what he was thinking. “We need to talk, Echizen.” Echizen shook his head, “There’s nothing to say. I don’t want to talk to you, Tezuka. I did once, but I don’t anymore.” Echizen’s words were cold, but his eyes had seen the sadness that lurked in his captain’s eyes. “Echizen…..” The boy turned with his racket and tried to walk away. His eyes flashed open as he felt Tezuka’s hand come around his left wrist. A distinct feeling of deja vu swept over them both as they found themselves in the exact same position as they were in after the training camp. Echizen sighed. Keeping his back to the captain, his wrist firmly but gently closed within the strong grip he asked, “Will you hit me again, Buchou?” Tezuka’s eyes closed momentarily, as he answered, “No Echizen. This time it is I who betrayed you.”

Tears quickly gathered in the golden eyes, and even though Tezuka could not see them, he could feel them. Echizen suddenly felt a thumb graze the sensitive skin inside his wrist, “Where is the wrist band that I gave you?” Echizen lied, “I threw it away.” “Aah. I will get you another one.” Echizen’s fury rose, refusing to turn to meet his eyes he shouted, “I don’t want another one. I don’t want anything from you! Let go of me.” he was surprised to hear the abject sadness in Tezuka’s voice as he responded, “I know, Echizen. But I will get one for you just the same. Please talk to me. We need to work this out. I have missed you.” Echizen’s body shook with suppressed emotions, “Missed me? But you have Fuji, don’t you!? How did that happen?” He heard Tezuka sigh behind him, “I don’t know. It wasn’t planned, it just happened. I never thought it would hurt you. It never occurred to me that you might want me to choose you.” Echizen almost rounded on him then, but he knew if he did he would be forced to see those hazel eyes, and the sadness in them, he knew if he turned around, Tezuka would let go of his wrist, and frankly he didn’t want to lose the simple contact. Echizen cried, “How was I supposed to tell you? I didn’t know I wanted that until I saw you with HIM.” Tezuka said, “Fuji is truly sorry for hurting you. He wants to apologize.” He heard Echizen say, “He can afford that can’t he? He has you all to himself.” Tezuka said, “No Echizen, no he doesn’t. Fuji knows how I feel about you.” Echizen continued on blindly, not wanting to hear what Tezuka was saying, “It was you who hit Fuji wasn’t it? I always knew it was you.” Tezuka gasped as he continued, “When he said he got hit because he tried to kiss someone, I thought that part was a lie, but it wasn’t was it?” he turned then to face Tezuka, and watched as the man before him nodded. The tears finally spilled over, “Lucky him. You didn’t kiss me when you hit me. At least he got a kiss out of the deal.”

Tezuka’s sharp eyes saw the muscles bunch up and he knew the boy was about to break and run, as he turned to flee, Tezuka reached out and grabbed that same wrist, jerking him back, “Echizen, don’t.” All pretenses of cockiness left the small body as he found his face held firmly in Tezuka’s chest, the strong arms wrapped around his shaking body and the tears flowed unchecked into his captain’s shirt. Echizen resolutely kept his arms down at his side, silent and refusing to be drawn into the hug, but Tezuka didn’t care, he wasn’t letting go if he could help it. The lovely hazel eyes brimmed with unshed tears, “Please come back with me. We can work this out. The team misses you. I miss you. I don’t want to lose you. Please.” Echizen felt warm lips kiss the top of his head. Echizen broke into heart wrenching sobs. Tezuka never thought he would hear the rookie cry. The captain could almost feel his own heart ripping in 2. The next words from the boy’s mouth felt like a physical blow even though he knew they weren’t meant, “The team doesn’t care. I thought YOU did. I thought Fuji was my friend too….. but he hates me. I hate you. I hate you both.” Echizen’s arms were stronger than they appeared. Tezuka found that out when the boy suddenly grasped his hips and pushed him forcefully away from him, then spun and ran. Tezuka didn’t have the strength to chase him. He felt like all the wind had been taken from him.

Atobe lifted his elbow from his one bended knee, then stood up straight. He had been watching the scene below from the top of the bleachers in between a few tree branches. What an amazing mess these Seigaku players have gotten themselves into. Well, ore-sama was going to have to fix it, because it looked like he was the only one who could. He stepped down from the bleachers and went to find Echizen. He knew exactly where he would go, because he had to go back to where he left his school things. It was exactly where he found him, quickly wiping his eyes on the blue wrist band he had just taken out of his bag. “I thought you threw that away.” Atobe almost flinched at the narrowed angry glare the boy leveled at him. “Yes, yes I was listening. How could I not when you have made such a god-awful mess of your life?” Echizen spit out, “What do you know about it? I didn’t do it, Fuji and Tezuka did.” Atobe smiled slightly, “Ah… so because you couldn’t figure out that you were in love with your captain fast enough, and someone else beat you to it, its their fault, Echizen?” Echizen eyes scanned the ground, he shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t care. They can have each other. Just forget it.” He was putting his stuff back in the bag, doing his best to leave as quickly as possible. “Of course you care, Echizen. Do not try to lie to ore-sama. I can see how much you care, just as I know how much Tezuka cares.” Atobe studied the bronze eyes as they raised to him, “I didn’t think you were such a punk, Echizen.” The bronze eyes narrowed, “What do you mean?” Atobe smiled, “If you walk away, if you go and hide, you are a punk. I thought the Echizen I knew would fight for what he wanted, not hide like some crushed little girl. Tezuka is worth fighting for, Na.. Echizen?” Atobe smiled as he walked away, lifting one finger in salute. Echizen blinked at the diva’s back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tezuka returned to Seigaku in time for the afternoon practices. He told Fuji basically what had happened, how bad he felt, and how hurt Echizen was. It sank in with the tensai just how hurt the boy was, it really hurt him to hear Echizen say he hated him. He knew logically that the words were born of pain, but it didn’t ease the sting at all. Fuji made a silent promise to himself to seek the rookie out and make amends. After practice was over, and everyone had gone home, Fuji still hadn’t seen Tezuka leave his private locker room. He knew the captain was in there beating himself senseless. Fuji sighed and walked calmly into the locker, seeing Tezuka had pulled the bench over to the wall. He sat with his legs out on the long end of the bench before him, his head and back propped up against the wall. As Fuji knocked gently on the door jamb, he saw the golden brown head tilt to look at him, the eyes sad, one leg was allowed to drop to the floor. “Tezuka. Don’t worry. Echizen will come around. You’ll see.” Tezuka’s lips curved slightly, “Is that a promise? Or just a prediction from our tensai?” Fuji smiled slightly, “Aren’t they both the same thing, buchou?” he walked over to stand in between the bench and the lockers, then leaned over to kiss Tezuka gently. “Fuji, even if he does come back, I wouldn’t know where to begin.” Fuji chuckled, “Oh I’m sure he will tell you. He has a very strong will, that one.” Tezuka nodded, he hoped Fuji was right. Fuji lips descended down over his again, seeking, opening and becoming deeper. His tongue begging entrance, once granted, he teased and toyed with Tezuka’s tongue until a low groan of pleasure reached his ears. His lips left the delicious mouth to trail over the strong jaw, then they teased and licked the delicate ear, and sucked the lobe in. Tezuka took a deep breath his hand coming up to wrap around Fuji’s forearm. “Mmmm… Fuji. I’d love to, but I just don’t have the strength right now.” Blue eyes smiled into his, “That’s okay. Just let me do you.” His lips attached themselves to the column of neck, suckling gently, Tezuka sighing beneath him. His fingers unbuttoned his shirt, pushing the material open to reveal a large path of beautiful flesh. When hot lips found his nipple, Tezuka’s eyes closed as he gave himself over to the pleasure.

Atobe was right. He should not slink away and hide. He was going to the nationals damn it. He would fight for his buchou. Echizen made his way back to the Seigaku grounds. He ran into Horio on the way, who told him that the captain had still not left the clubhouse by the time Horio had gone home, so he might still be there. Echizen nodded and headed to the clubhouse. He steeled himself for the conversation he knew they had to have. He was going back to be on the team, but there was no way in hell he would sit there idly and allow Fuji to hang all over his captain. He entered the clubhouse, and headed straight for Tezuka’s private room knowing he had to still be here because the door hadn’t been locked. The door was closed over slightly, so he knocked briefly before walking in. The sight that greeted him almost knocked Echizen to the floor.

Tezuka was leaning against the wall, with his head tilted back lips parted in ecstasy. His shirt was open, revealing a beautiful expanse of his chest and his pants were open, with Fuji’s face in his lap. The golden bronze eyes almost popped out of his head. “Buchou….?” Tezuka’s eyes snapped opened, cutting to meet his. “Echizen!” he stammered in surprise. Fuji simultaneously lifted his mouth off of Tezuka’s raging hard erection. Tezuka’s eyes met his, and the boy could see the surprise, the pleasure, and the lust. Echizen blinked 2 or 3 times, taking in the scene. 2 things happened to Echizen. First, his heart twisted painfully, and second he started to get hard. Bronze eyes cut to Fuji who unbelievably smiled at the 1st year. “Welcome back, Echizen.” Fuji said it calmly as if Echizen seeing him in such a compromising position was an everyday occurrence. Echizen blinked in surprise 2 more times as Fuji winked one eye at him. There was no malice in the smile, the wink, or the words. He actually looked pleased to see the golden eyed player. Tezuka tried vainly once to push Fuji off him, but Fuji gently pushed his hands away, “He likes seeing you like this, Ne?” and then Fuji wrapped his mouth around Tezuka’s cock once again, sucking hard. what the?

Echizen’s eyes returned to Tezuka’s face when he heard a low moan, he saw Tezuka arch up at the increased pressure, his eyes briefly closing before they opened to find his again. The hazel eyes were hot, and gorgeous and pleading for him not to be mad. Echizen wordlessly turned to leave the room. He made it all of 3 steps before he froze. As if he just could not bring himself to leave, he turned back once again. Tezuka’s eyes had followed him, Fuji was still busily sucking Tezuka’s rod, looking for all the world like he was enjoying the hell out of himself. Echizen shook his head as he watched Tezuka’s ragged breathing, his captain’s eyes held his as his mouth parted and gasped slightly in response to Fuji’s mouth. Tezuka’s pleasure mounted with Fuji’s lips upon him, his eyes watched Echizen’s go from cold and surprised to hot and full of lust. Tezuka couldn’t control the low sexy growl that emerged from his throat as he neared his climax, his belly lengthened and flexed with his rising inability to control his reactions with Echizen standing there watching. He heard his own voice say softly once more, “Echizen….” Suddenly the raven haired boy crossed the room and aggressively covered his captain’s mouth with his. His fingers dug themselves into the golden brown locks kissing Tezuka feverishly. Tezuka felt the hot mouth cover him and his control snapped. Where Fuji’s lips were soft and warm, Echizen’s lips were more firm and demandingly hot, more like Tezuka’s. The contrast was amazing. Explosions glittered behind Tezuka’s eyes. Fuji noticed Echizen’s surrender and smiled in satisfaction to himself. Blazing blue eyes took in the searing kiss and decided they looked very hot together. He worked Tezuka’s flesh faster. Suddenly Tezuka started to come hard. The gasps and moans were given like honey into Echizen’s mouth. Echizen’s head swam with the taste of his captain’s lips. With the sound of his captain coming, the feel of it, him moaning into Echizen’s mouth. Echizen was as hard as a rock. He’d never experienced something so sexy and so powerful in his young life. Tezuka sighed and moaned some more as he started to calm down, his body quivered slightly, Fuji still gently licked his weeping tip, Echizen kissed his lips in wonderment.

All of a sudden, as if the rookie just realized what had happened, he straightened up and took a step back. His eyes passed back and forth between the two senpai’s before turning to dwell on Fuji’s. Incredibly, Echizen’s lips quirked a little as he looked at Fuji, “Mada Mada Dane….” Then Echizen risked one more glance at Tezuka before turned to leave the room. Fuji and Tezuka looked at each other, and Fuji smiled winningly, “Tezuka. I think he means to fight me for you.” Tezuka didn’t answer Fuji, he was still baffled. The next action caused even more confusion for the captain. Fuji quipped, “Tezuka? Would you mind pulling yourself together? I’ll be right back.” He watched as Fuji darted from the room. Tezuka rubbed his eyes, wondering how in the hell this had spiraled out of control so fast, and then wondering what miracle had happened that one of them didn’t lay dead. He pulled his pants back up, and closed his shirt walking to the door to find out where Fuji and Echizen had gone. Hoping fervently that there would be no bloodshed involved. When he got to the front door of the clubhouse, he was surprised to find Fuji gently hugging Echizen to him. His cheek nuzzled against the side of Echizen’s head. He was talking softly into the rookie’s ear, then as Tezuka watched Fuji was kissing his forehead and his cheek softly. Tezuka’s surprise mounted as he watched Echizen’s slender arms slowly raise up and tentatively circle Fuji’s waist, hugging him back silently. He had no idea what the tensai said to get such a response. Echizen had not hugged Tezuka back. Tezuka never would have expected this…… but he thanked whatever gods existed, it was better then he ever thought possible. Both boys eyes met -golden locked with blue, and they smiled at each other. They gradually turned as one to smile at him, their arms still locked in a hug. A thought came to Tezuka unbidden as he gazed back at them, “ Boy am I in trouble now……The two of them together are going to kill me…..”