American Idiot love

Sooooo sorry for the long wait! There’s been some problems with a lot of stuff, but I hope things will work better from now on. This chapter hasn’t been beta-read, so forgive me for any mistakes.
Warnings are the same as in the first chap… N I might just give a warning about boyXboy kiss. XD
Thanks to everyone that has read and an even stronger thanks to the people that reviewed!
Disclaimer: I own nothing concerning PoT nor am I making any money from this.
Chap 2

Sanada couldn’t help but smirk as he wondered what his friends back in Japan would think if they saw him now. In his mind it was slightly ironic that he, who had been seen as one of the hardest leaders of the Jr. High world, was currently teaching middle aged women how to hold a racket properly. The hilarious part of it? He was actually enjoying himself.

When he had first arrived to America his impression was that American’s were rude. Now he wasn’t sure if it was American’s who were rude, or if it was Japanese that were overly polite. Maybe it was both, but his upbringing in how to be polite to elders were why he was currently having a class of his own.

The first week at work he had been not much more than a messenger boy and he hadn’t objected, it gave him an opportunity to watch and learn. However, some of the women had soon started taking interest in him, since he apparently was “such a polite young man”… He couldn’t help but think about the fact that it was the same thing that his mother had called Akaya… Maybe middle-aged women were delusional… The day after he had played a practice match with one of the other summer workers, his boss had approached him and wondered if he could consider teaching a class of beginners.

He HAD hesitated, training people in tennis he knew how to do, but he very much doubted that he was allowed to slap anyone here… The pay for teaching was better though, and he also figured it was as good way as any to get to know the culture he was supposed to spend three years in.

So now, a month later, he had indeed managed to become a lot more acclimatized. He had hardly been speaking Japanese at all since he arrived and he purposely tried to stay away from everything that had to do with Japan. In reallity, except his books, the only thing he had to remind himself of his former home, was a yellow and black jersey and a red good luck charm…

One more week and school would start, one more week before he would start his way towards professional tennis… He had wondered about how good the tennis players at school was, about how the lessons would be, but he also knew that there was no use thinking about it.

“The girls sure seem to be excited today…”

Sanada turned his head towards the next court and watched as the 15,16 year olds gathered around someone, squealing with excitement.

“Sure seems so Mrs. Anderson.” He answered with a small smile. Mrs. Anderson’s daughter was in that group, and he suspected that the woman was trying to make him her future son-in-law… It wouldn’t have worked even if he had been straight, the girl, Josephine, was cute enough and also rather nice, but she was just simply to narrow minded. He simply couldn’t understand how someone could discus Big Brother for an hour…

“Mhm, and I swear, it it’s that Billy Cassidy boy again and I’m going to complain to the management! I don’t care how good he might be he just can’t…”

“Excuse me, but did you just say Billy Cassidy?” Sanada had never interrupted one of Mrs. Anderson’s rants about how lazy today’s youths were, but if it really was the same Billy he had faced a year ago, he sure wanted to know.

“Ehh, yes. He attends the same school as you will, Genichirou.”

“I see…” His eyes wandered back to the group of girls and sure enough, now that the crowed had lessened a bit, the teen in the middle, was no one else then Billy Cassidy...

Smirking slightly Sanada walked up to lean against the net separating the two courts. Keeping his eyes on his own class, his ears took in what was being said by his former opponent.

“Well, you see girls, there simply isn’t anyone that’s good enough to return my Bull Rope serve, that’s why I always win.”

That sentence, along with the giggling of the girls made Sanada’s smirk grow even more.

“Funny, I seem to remember both me and Atobe returning it…” He stated turned to watch the shock on Billy’s face. The American boy recovered quickly however and grinned back at him.

“Well, I’ll be damned! Sanada Genichirou! I didn’t think I’d see you again, what brings you to the States?”

“School… Same one as you it seems.”

“That’s great!”

The two of them stared at each other, grinning, but the challenge was still there, even if it wasn’t until Billy voiced it that things became real. “Up for a re-match? I’ve wanted to see what you can do when you’re playing singles…”

Sanada shook his head. “I would love too, but I still have a class to teach, it’ll have to wait.”
A hand on his shoulder made Sanada turn and realized that Mrs. Anderson was standing right beside him along with the rest of his class. “We wouldn’t mind Genichirou… I know that I sure would want to see you play again.” She smiled at him before turning and glaring at Billy. Sanada ducked his head to hide his smile, he had a feeling that Mrs. Anderson was more hoping for him to beat Billy… Now, he couldn’t disappoint his students, could he?

“Alright… You’re on Billy.”

Sanada had to admit that he’d been getting bored lately, the ones that was in his own age working at the club had presented little challenge so far. The matches he had played the last month hadn’t been much more then swing practice for him. Billy however, if he was anything like he had been a year ago, was somewhat of a challenge at least. He grabbed his tennis bag and made his way to the other court. Ignoring the crowed that was gathering, he picked out his cap, put it on and then picked out his favorite racket. He didn’t notice how he allowed his fingers to slide over the good luck charm before he closed that bag again, but Billy did.

“Good luck wishes from a girlfriend?”

Sanada shook his head and stood.

“Boyfriend?”

Sanada simply looked at Billy at that.

“Come on, it must be from someone loved for YOU of all people to cherish it like that.”

“I never said it wasn’t from a loved one. Can we start the match now?”

“Alright, alright. No need to get so defensive, jeez, you’re worse than Kevin.”

“I resent that.”

Billy laughed and finally put his racket on the ground. “Rough or smooth?”

“Rough.”

Even though Billy won the serve, there was little he could do from preventing Sanada from completely dominating the game.

Sanada was feeling something aching to satisfaction when the match ended at 6-3. Billy was a good player, so far the best he had played in America.

“You’ve gotten better Sanada.”

“So have you.”

“Nowhere near as good as you. Darn, what have you been doing this last year to become that good?”

“Practicing…”

“Have all the Jap players developed as much?”

“More or less. We had an intense year last year…”

Billy grinned and grabbed Sanada’s hand. “It’s going to rock having you in school!”

Sanada couldn’t help smiling just a little back at Billy. The Texan had just been defeated in front of the girls he was trying to impress, and still he was all smiles… He was startled from his thoughts by the crowed that had gathered. He hadn’t realized how many people had been there to watch them, and suddenly he felt guilty. He was supposed to work after all… He saw his boss in the crowed and ducked his head. The old man was making his way to the court… Suddenly the shrill voice of Mrs. Anderson cut through the shears.

“Mr. Dawn! Mr. Dawn! Such a wonderful young teacher you’ve found for us! Do you think it’s possible to have him continue teaching throughout the year? Such an amazing player, and he’s SO polite.”

Sanada’s eyes widen just a fraction, Mrs. Anderson sounded a lot like her daughter at the moment, but from the continued conversation, she hadn’t only saved him from getting fired, she had also managed to get him a job for the rest of the year.

“Seems like you’ve got yourself a fan club Sanada…” Billy was smirking and Sanada glared at him.

“So?”

“Nothing, actually, I’d like those lady’s to like me too, would make my life a lot easier.”

“Try dating ONE of their daughters at the time, it might help.”

Billy laughed and scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, well, I suppose you’re right… Things have been a bit crazy since Stephanie broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Billy shrugged and both of them started collecting their things. Once again Sanada’s fingers brushed over Kirihara’s gift, but this time it was conscious, and this time Billy kept quiet about it.

“So, are you staying at the dorms Sanada?”

“Mhm… I’m thinking about getting an apartment though… Dorm life doesn’t seem to be my thing, and there’s only four other people there right now.”

Billy chuckled and shouldered his tennis bag. “Yeah, dorm life can be hell. It can also be a lot of fun though. What dorm are you in?”

“D, why?”

“Ah, you’re in the Triathlon dorm, wonder what air head put you there… Anyway, when school starts I’ll help you get a transfer to the Tennis dorm instead, a bit easier to live with the same sort of sport freaks. See you around Sanada.”

Billy left and Sanada went back to teaching his class, wondering if living in the same dorm as Billy Cassidy would really be better then it was now…

*

Kirihara returned home feeling rather beat up, but happy. The training schedule that Yanagi had helped him put together was really showing results! The team was stronger than it had been so far, he was the strongest he had ever been. For the first time since he had been appointed captain, he felt that there really was a chance of winning the Nationals. So what if they had lost the semifinals of the Kantou tournament, they were in the National final now and that was all that mattered… One week and they would face Seigaku again… One week…
Lost in his own thoughts and plans he didn’t notice the police car parked in front of his house until he walked into it. His eyes snapped to his house and suddenly tennis was the last thing on his mind. There were too many cars in front of his house… It was too quiet…

Running the last few yards he threw the door open and scrambled inside, not bothering with removing his shoes…

His father was in the living room, along with Akaya’s psychiatrist, the social worker that had been working with their family for years and two police officers that he had never seen before… However, his mother was painfully absent…

“What’s going on?!?” He didn’t even bother to try to hide the panic in his voice, it didn’t matter at this point.

“Akaya-kun, maybe it’s best if you sit down…” Kyoma-sensei’s voice had some sort of weird power over him, the grey haired female social worker had seen him at some of the lowest points of his life, and she was probably the only adult that Akaya truly trusted.

He sat down at the ledge of the couch and glared at his father, the man still hadn’t acknowledged the fact that his son was even in the room. Akaya’s relationship with his father was complicated, a love/hate one, that the 15 year old still couldn’t grasp.

“What’s going on?” He asked again, this time calmer. Again it was Kyoma-sensei that answered him.

“Akaya-kun… Due to the recent developments with your mother’s condition, your father has found it best to send her to a place where she can get better treatment…”

“You fucking bastard! You sent her to a loony bin!” Akaya had flown from his spot on the couch and was now holding his father by the collar, pinning him to the wall.

“I had to!”

“You didn’t have to do that! This is what you came home for?!? This is why you’re here!?! Then to hell with you!”

“Akaya-kun! Let go of your father! Kirihara-san, maybe it’s better if you allow me to talk to Akaya alone…”

Akaya let go of his father but still glared at him. “Get him out of my sight!” He growled and stalked off to his room, knowing that Kyoma-sensei would follow him. He flopped on to his bed and stared at the ceiling while the woman closed the door behind her and sat down at his desk.

“What’s going to happen now? To me I mean…”

“You’re a smart boy Akaya… I told them that you’d understand that your situation would change with this too…”

“Yeah, well, dad’s home what? Two days a month? I doubt that he’s going to be the one taking care of me now…”

“You’re right… You’re going to be placed in a foster family… One that has experience with children like you…”

“Mental ones you mean.”

“I thought we’d agreed to not use those sorts of words. You’re not mental, you have some problems, that’s all.”

Akaya rubbed his eyes tiredly and sighed. “Whatever. When am I leaving?” Suddenly realizing something he sat up with a start. “I won’t have to transfer school, will I?”

“No you won’t, I’ve made sure of that, don’t worry. You will live further away from Rikkai, but Kamio-san has assured me that either he or his wife will be able to drive you there and...”

“Kamio?!? Not possible…”

“Yes, Kamio, they have two other foster children, Yoko and Sakura and also a son of their own, Akira, from what I’ve understood he plays tennis too so…”

“He sure does…” Akaya interrupted again and flopped down on the bed again. “This will not be a good thing…”

“Why do you say that?”

“Remember the player I told you about that hates my gut? That would be Kamio Akira… I won’t last a week in that house…”

“Now, now Akaya-kun, there’s no need to be so negative, from what I’ve understood his parents has cleared this with all of the children.”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t try to have my head at the first possible moment…”

“Didn’t things get better between the two of you during that camp?”

“Well, yeah… But it’s still not good… I don’t really blame him ya know, but…” Akaya sighed and closed his eyes, this was so NOT what he needed right now. Tennis, school and dealing with the loss of Sanada was enough as it was, getting shipped off to a foster family, and the Kamio’s at that, it was just too much… “So when do I leave?” He asked in defeat.

“We had planned to allow you and your father to have one last day together, but as things is at the moment…”

“Yeah… So basically, I pack up my stuff and then I go… What are the cops for anyway?”

“Your psychiatrist was afraid that you would either run of, or do something violent.”

“Meh, that jack ass knows nothing. I swear that Sanada-san knows how I work better than he does.”

The old woman looked sharply at the boy on the bed.

“It’s been a while since you mentioned anyone of your sempai’s…”

“It’s been… It’s complicated…”

“Akaya… Now, I know you enough to know that you trust them more then you trust any adult around you, I think you’ll need them to get used to this situation…”

“No, I’ll deal with it on my own.” He sat up and shook his head. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”

Kyoma had seen a lot of teen age boys in her career, but there was something about Akaya had managed to get to her. The first time she had seen the boy he had only been ten years, and as defensive of his family as a Rottweiler. It had taken her years to get the boy to trust her, and somehow it felt like she was betraying that trust right now… However, he had grown up so much during his years in Jr. High. Rikkai and the people he had met there had been good for him… Shaking her head she stood up.

“I you say so I’ll trust you… You better start packing.”

“Mhm… What can I bring?”

“Whatever you want, you get your own room, although smaller then this…”
Looking over his room Akaya made a quick decision and then grinned. “Give me two hours and I’ll be done. I need to shower before I start.”

The teenage boy that left the house two hours later, was carrying way less then Kyoma sensei had expected him to, but she had never known the boy to be like anyone else. Tennis was the only thing he still had as a security in this world, and she had a feeling that it would be sometime before he would be able to trust anyone again. As she drove the boy to the other side of town, she couldn’t help glancing at him. Where was that notorious fuku buchou when she needed him? If there had ever been anyone to truly break through to Akaya, it was his tennis sempai’s, and one Sanada Genichirou especially. How she hoped that they would be able to see that Akaya needed help now, even if they weren’t technically in the same school anymore.


*

Two days later Kirihara was practicing on his own, just slamming the ball against the wall, over and over… His shoulder was throbbing, but this way the mess in his head seemed a lot calmer. So far things living with the Kamio’s hadn’t been bad at all. He and Akira were polite to each other when they were forced to be in the same room and otherwise they just stayed out of each other’s ways.
It didn’t change the fact that his entire life had change TWICE in about a month. It didn’t change the fact that he was feeling a lot lonelier then he had ever done before… Another ball came towards him but before he could he could hit it, a hand grabbed it.

Narrowed green eyes turned to glare at whoever it was that dared interrupt him. When he realized that behind him was his old sempais his shoulders slumped. He didn’t want to deal with them right now…

“Can I have my ball back Niou-sempai?” He asked silently, and if his eyes hadn’t been on the ground he would have seen the shocked expression on all the others.

Niou tossed the ball back to Akaya who caught it and walked over to his tennis bag and placed it and his racket into it.

“Ok, what’s going on Akaya?”
Even Yanagi seemed unnerved by Kirihara’s behavior.

“I have a final to play on Saturday.” He still didn’t turn, still didn’t want to deal with either of them and especially not him…

“Is that the reason you’re not answering your phone?”

“My cell broke last week Yanagi-san, I told you I wouldn’t get it back from the shop until next week.”

“I meant your home phone.”

Akaya froze on the spot, glaring at his tennis bag.

“Akaya-kun?”

Yukimura’s voice was NOT what he needed to hear right then, it was exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time…

“Leave me alone, all of you.”

Of course they didn’t listen to him, of course they had to interfere with things they didn’t understand…

“Get a hold of yourself Kirihara! How are you supposed to lead a team when you’re like this?”
Finally Akaya snapped around and in an instance he was standing right in front Yukimura. Logically he KNEW that it wasn’t Seiichi’s fault that Sanada had left, logically, he knew he shouldn’t vent his anger on his old buchou, but he couldn’t stop it.

“Like you’re one to talk about being a good captain! You didn’t lead us to the nationals last year, Sanada did! And maybe if you hadn’t…” He managed to stop himself before he said something that he would regret forever. He stepped back and shook his head. “I’m sorry Yukimura-san… I did ask you to leave…”

“What has gotten into you?!?”

“You know Yukimura-san, I don’t think you have the right to ask me that. I’m not on your team right now, nor are you my sempai right now. Leave me alone and go practice on your own instead!”

“Kirihara!”

“Don’t interfere Yanagi!”

To everyone’s surprise it was Yukimura that had interrupted Renji.

“I want to know what it is that has made Akaya so angry with us.”

“I’m not… I’m not angry with you… Things are messy at the moment, but it’s something that I have to deal with on my own… I don’t need you babying me.” With that Akaya grabbed his tennis bag and ran, just needing to get away before thing went really bad.

Suddenly realization dawned on Yanagi, even though he could see that there was only anger in Seiichi at this moment. Right now though, Akaya was more important than Seiichi. The one that was suffering most because the loss of Genichirou wasn’t Seiichi, it wasn’t Renji himself, it was Akaya. They still had the rest of their friends around them, also, even though Sanada was one of kind, they had also been able to see him as the teenager he was. Something that Kirihara hadn’t. To the little devil, Sanada was the ultimate leader, no matter how hard he had pushed them, Kirihara had had complete and undoubting faith in him… To Akaya it wasn’t just a friend that had left for USA, it was a hero, it was someone that he had trusted… From what Renji knew about Akaya, trust wasn’t something he gave out easily…
Renji knew that he missed Genichirou, he knew that Seiichi was feeling betrayed, but exactly what Akaya was feeling right now he had no idea, only that their baby really wasn’t a baby anymore, but a very lonely teenager.

Reaching out on instinct he grabbed Niou’s wrist and dragged him along as he ran after the little devil. Niou didn’t have to be pulled a long more than a few steps. If the data man of Rikkai had decided that they needed to go after Kirihara, then that was what they were going to do. Even he knew when to just shut up and do what was necessary.

They managed to catch up with Akaya after about five minutes of running and by then the younger one was close to tears.

“Just leave me alone!”

“No Aka-kun, not until you have heard what I’m going to say. I don’t know how you found out that Genichirou was leaving, nor do I know how much you know. But this I DO know, we WON’T leave Akaya! It’s ok to trust in us you know…”

Akaya stared wide eyed at Renji, not believing how accurate the older teen had enterpertated his feelings. His shoulders slumped again and he took a deep breath.

“I know… I know… But there are still a lot of things that I have to deal with on my own… However, if you want to reach me on the phone, you better call the Kamio’s…”

“What? What the hell are you doing at the Kamio’s!?!”
Kirihara couldn’t help but chuckle at Niou’s face expression, but he could also understand the shock.

“To make a very long story very short, his parents are my foster parents now and that’s about all I can say right now…”

Renji could see that Niou had a sharp reply on his tongue, and even though he knew that the silver haired one didn’t mean anything bad with it, he also had a feeling that it wasn’t what Kirihara needed. “I see… But Akaya… I can understand that it makes things very complicated at the moment, but it still doesn’t explain why you’re so angry with Yukimura.”

Renji sure was good at seeing things, maybe a bit too good for his own sake. Akaya gritted his teeth and turned his green eyes to meet Renji’s head on.

“You know what Yanagi, why don’t you stop putting your nose into my life and my relationships and start looking at your own instead!”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the two of you! Why don’t you just kiss and get on with it, ‘cause honestly, you’re getting on my nerves!”

With that Kirihara stalked off again, leaving two blushing sempai’s behind him.

Niou huffed and kicked a pebble as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

“That brat sure has gotten cocky, making him captain was a baaad decision.”

“Hmm… Maybe…” For once, Yanagi was feeling lost at what to do. He was so used to knowing how things would be. Just make the calculation and you’d have the result… But with Niou… Nothing was sure when it came to him. As for Renji’s feelings for the silver haired trickster… They made things even more complicated to calculate… Opening his eyes just a bit he stared after Kirihara, it was true, Akaya sure had changed a lot since he had become Rikkaidai’s Captain. He had changed even more since Sanada had left, but just maybe, the brat wasn’t wrong… Deciding to do something completely out of the ordinary, he decided to take a chance… To gamble without knowledge. Taking a deep breath he turned his eyes to Niou again, not caring that his entire inner being were screaming at him to just get out of there.

“He might be a cocky brat, but he’s at least 50% right…”
Seeing Niou speechless would have amused a lot of people, but to Renji, it was only heartbreaking.

“I’m sorry Niou, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Yanagi closed his eyes again and turned. He shouldn’t have gambled, he should have collected more information before he made his move, he should…
Whatever he was planning, his thoughts shut down as two strong arms spun him around and gathered him in a bone crushing hug.

“Don’t say such stupid things Renji… Don’t say that you’re sorry when you’re not. However, your data is wrong. Kirihara isn’t 50% right… It’s 100%...”

For a first kiss, it wasn’t bad, nor was it good. There were too much nerves, too much insecurity. Niou wasn’t the one to give up though, and the second time he pressed his lips against Renji’s, the Master had recovered enough from the shock to be able to kiss back. Not bothering that they were in the middle of a park where everyone could see them, they allowed themselves the pleasure of just being in that magical moment. Renji’s fingers somehow tangled in the wild silver strands and in that second, neither of them needed any walls to fend off the world with.

As all kisses do, even this one had to come to an end. Leaving two still blushing teenagers in each other’s arms.

“Tch, I’m going to kick Akaya’s ass if I find out that he’s know this all along and not told me.”

Renji chuckled and shook his head when he reluctantly let go of Niou. “There’s an 85% chance that you’ll get the entire Rikkai Jr High after you if you that. I won’t put it past him though, that he knew I mean…”

“Mhm… So, wannna come by my place tonight?”

The look in Niou’s eyes could have made any one blush and Renji felt as if he was being mentally undressed by the other. Not that that was a reason for saying no…

“I’ll have to clear it with my parents, but there’s a 98% chance that they’ll allow it.”
Niou smirked and mumbled something as he put his hands in his pockets.

“What was that Niou?”

“Nothing…”

Renji’s eyes opened just a bit as he looked at Niou. “There’s a 75% chance that whatever you said was about me, so I would like to know…”

Niou chuckled and stepped up close to Renji again. Removing his hands from his pockets again he placed one of them on the small of Renji’s back and caressed Renji’s cheek with the other. “I was wondering if you’ll talk percentages in bed as well… That’d be kind of hot.” He grinned and gave Yanagi another kiss before stepping back and winking. “I’ll see you tonight then Yanagi-san.” He left before Renji could say anything, but somehow Renji was completely ok with Niou leaving him speechless. It wasn’t everyday you ended up getting called hot by your crush after all.

*

Kirihara tried hard to not think about his argument with his sempais and instead focused on flipping through the TV channels. That was of curse until the remote was snatched from his hand.

“Oi! I was watching that!”

“No you weren’t Kirihara, at least I hope you’re not watching Winnie the pooh?” Akira raised an eyebrow at the other teen who were still trying to grab the remote. Kirihara blushed liked crazy and tried to glare at his new foster brother.

“So what if I were?!? Yoko watches it all the time and you never pick on her!”

“Hello, earth to Akaya! Yoko is three years older than us, she has an anger management problem AND she has a black belt in karate! I wouldn’t pick on her even if she watched Bear in a Big Blue house!”

“What’s Bear in a Big Blue house?”

Now it was Akira’s turn to blush and he was about to start arguing again when the remote was snatched from his hand from behind. Turning on the spot he came face to face with his mother who had that look that Akira knew meant ‘Do as I say, or you won’t like the outcome.’

“Boys… I don’t know if either of you know what the time is, but MY watch says it’s ‘Akira and Akaya will do their homework time’.”

Both teens groaned and sure felt like complaining, but complaining would mean no TV, computer OR TV-games for a week. Akaya hadn’t suffered one of the punishment yet, but he’d heard enough about them to take it serious.
Dragging themselves upstairs they both complained about their homework. Akira about his math and Akaya about the never ending curse called English. Akira bit his lip and tilted his head slightly as he looked at Akaya.

“You know, you should ask Sakura for help…”

“Come on, are you telling me a TEN year old could help me?”

“Yeah… She came here about seven months ago, before that she lived with her American mum… She’s fluent in it. Has helped me a lot…”

“Oh… Ok, thanks… By the way… What’s wrong with her?”

“Sakura has ADHD…”

“Like me…”

“Yeah.”

None of them could take the strained silence that occurred after that and they both fled to their own rooms. But that moment was the first one where they had acknowledged each other as something more than just mere acquaintances. Something more than fellow tennis players. They were FAR from being family, but just maybe, they were starting to become friends…

*

Seiichi usually considered himself a calm person, someone how didn’t over react. However, things lately had just been too absurd. Today’s fight with Kirihara had just made things over flow and at the moment, he wasn’t even sure of what he was feeling. Pacing the length of the room and rambling out all the things that had happen made him at least feel better.

The silver haired occupant of the room wasn’t amused by this behavior though. From where Atobe was standing, it sure looked like Seiichi was over reacting, and the only one suffering for it, was Keigo. So far he had been called Idiot, insensitive, cold hearted and also been accused of not loving Seiichi. Now, when it came to Yukimura, Atobe could take a lot, but that was where he drew the line!

“Yukimura Seiichi, stop acting like a child! Yes, I know that you’re hurt because of Sanada’s actions, yes, I know that Kirihara is being a pain and no, I don’t know why. But you know what? None of this is MY fault!”

“I never said it was, I just want you to at least TRY to understand what I’m feeling!”

“I DO understand! That’s just the point! Ore-sama understands what you’re feeling right now better then even you do!”

Seiichi’s usual soft eyes flared. “Don’t you dare say things like that and don’t bloody start with the Ore-sama with me!”

“If you can accuse Ore-sama of not loving you then Ore-sama can call himself what he want.”
There was an arrogance in Atobe’s voice that Seiichi hadn’t heard since that faithful night in February and suddenly he realized something terrible. He was about to lose Keigo… His violet eyes widen and in a sudden move he had Keigo in his arms, holding him tighter than necessary. Not Keigo too!

“I’m sorry Keigo, I’m sorry…” It wasn’t much more than a breath into the silver hair, yet it was enough to make the other sag in his arms.

“I understand that you miss Genichirou, I do too Seiichi. I understand that you hurt because he left without telling you. Kirihara’s behavior makes no sense to you and that hurts has well, I understand that too, but none of this is my fault. I’ll listen to everything you want to talk about, but don’t make me the bad guy, because, for once I’m not.” Atobe’s voice was muffled as he talked, not wanting to lift his head from its position on Seiichi’s chest. It still cut like a knife to listen too.

“I know… You’re my heart Keigo, I never meant to hurt you. I really am sorry…” Tilting his head Seiichi pressed a feather light kiss to Keigo’s temple. He admitted that he at times forgot how proud Keigo was and also how fragile that pride was. Keigo was The King of Hyoutei or the Atobe heir. There was only a very few people that only saw him as Keigo. Yes, he WAS an arrogant, flamboyant, narcissistic bastard at times. But he was a lot other things too, things that had made Seichi fall for him. He shouldn’t take those things for granted… That thought made his head snap up and he stared at Keigo who only looked up at him with mild puzzlement.

“Did I take Genichirou for granted?”

“What? Where did that thought come from?”

“You, I take you for granted at times… Maybe I did with Genichirou too, maybe that’s why he just left, maybe…” Seiichi interrupted himself and looked away.

“Maybe what?”

“Maybe it’ll lead to you leaving me too…”

Atobe smiled and shook his head, wrapping his arms around Seichi and bringing them close tighter again. “One, I won’t leave, if you start to act like you take me for granted I’ll tell you. Two, I don’t think that you took Sanada for granted, nor do I think that he felt that way. I do however think that he had problems that he needed to deal with on his own. If he would have told you that he was leaving, what would you have done?”

“I would have done everything in my power to make him stay…”

“Exactly. Now, I don’t know Yanagi that well, but I don’t think that he tried to stop him…”

Seiichi sighed and nodded. “I think you’re right… It doesn’t make it hurt any less…”

“Maybe not now, but I think it’ll help, later…”

There was a long silence between the two of them, the kind you can only have with someone that you feel absolutely comfortable with. Atobe had his suspicions about why Sanada had suddenly left, but he also knew the Emperor well enough to know that that was NOT the only reason. It wouldn’t help Seiichi any if he knew, there really was no reason for Keigo to break his promise, not yet at least… He just hoped that he would never have to.

“Keigo?”

“Mhm?”

“I don’t really doubt that you love me…”

There was a hesitation in Seiichi’s voice and suddenly Atobe knew why. Pulling back a bit he looked up into Seiichi’s eyes and smiled.

“I love you Yukimura Seiichi.”

The soft, elated smile he got in return was breath taking.

“I should have told you that a long time ago, I’m sorry Seiichi.”

Seiichi just shook his head, Atobe was the only one that could just make everything so much better in just a few moments… When their lips met it was all the things they both were feelings but lacked the words to describe.

*
Renji smiled as he read the mail from Genichirou. It seemed that not only was he liking it in America, he was also in for a challenging year… Being in the same school as the American team would defiantly be what Yanagi called interesting. He did however have a feeling that the next time he faced Genichirou on the court, he wouldn’t be able to beat him… But that was why Sanada was where he was, wasn’t it? To become the best. It was the last sentences that changed his smile into a frown.

‘I hope everyone is doing well and that they’re not slacking of. You have the upcoming Nationals finals to worry about, don’t forget that.’ Ever the fuku buchou, wasn’t he? ‘I’m sorry if the way I left made things difficult for you Renji and I’m also sorry if I hurt someone by it…’ Yes, the “someone” called Seiichi HAD been hurt… ‘Keep an eye on Akaya, he’s not as grown up as he think he is.’ His not as immature as Sanada thinks he is either. ‘I worry about him. I hope that making him captain wasn’t too much for him. I know he can do it, I just don’t want him to lose himself in the process… He is doing alright, isn’t he?
Take care of yourself Renji. Genichirou.’

What on earth had taken place between Sanada and Kirihara before the older teen had left? Shaking his head Yanagi closed his lap top and got up. He was going to meet Niou for their first date in an hour… Was it ironic or romantic that their first date was the Jr. High’s national finals? Renji didn’t know, neither did he care. It was who they were and that was enough. However, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was supposed to worry about Sanada, Yukimura or Kirihara… At the moment, he supposed that the one that WOULD have needed him the most was Sanada, but the one that would get his time was Kirihara. He just had to trust that Keigo could take care of Seiichi.