Unattainable
by SIB

Author Notes: Anyone surprised to see me updating so fast? Well, compared to the whole month of delay I usually make, I think this is fast enough ^^ I just can’t resist my will to write, which bring me more troubles than advantages, believe me... Beside, I’m so willing to post this chapter on 29th of February (God, it’s Fuji’s birthday!) or else I will have to wait for another four years. Perhaps the update date in ff.net will appear as 28 but I’m on 29 now! That and the great reviewers who are completely nudging me to continue. Thanks to you all! Anyway here’s the sixth part, dedicated to my sister who can patiently stand my madness for Prince of Tennis and Saiyuki: Reload ^^

DISCLAIMER: Please, I won’t write a fanfic if I own them. This plot will be in the anime!

WARNING:

For the entire story: (read in the first chapter)

For this particular chapter: PG-13 for kissing and cursing. Major Atobe/Fuji, even though it’s only a flashback.

Italicized words mean the words are somehow important.

/Italicized words in here/ represent the character’s thought, whose thought it is I think you can guess.








Chapter Five: Weaver of Fate

A Park Near to Hyoutei High School

October 4 – 05:29 p.m.

Stunning was perhaps the word that passer-bys enjoying their hassle-free evening or them who merely waited for night to come at the open park right next to Hyoutei High School thought of the unfamiliar figure that was leaning to the low railing circling the field. So graceful was the way he slanted, though it was unpremeditatedly made so, that any artist would be immensely pleased to have this view poured into their canvas, perhaps titled ‘Dusk in Delusion’. Blends of yellow and crimson shade that setting sun had bequeathed upon the fair gentle face would give them more than a little difficulty in creating the similar colour from paints. And a great artist indeed, who was able to portrait the surreal smile playing on his exquisite lips.

Someone who had the heart enough to mar this picture of heavenly serenity and approached the lone stranger would have seen apprehension buried deep within the azure eyes, tarnishing the endowed title of tranquility into the last pieces. They were not looking at the vista of sunset nor to the joyful children running to and fro playing their ball as the amused smile should have suggested. In exception of his physical being, Fuji Shuusuke was not there.

The day before was a mess. He was to act bold and thoughtful, cool and composed, as he usually behaved while a part of him was still asleep under the weight of redundant sedatives he had been drugged with. When his mother summoned him, the tensai was forced to exert his acting skill to its full extent lest she would learn that his masterful report was as empty as a lie which would subsequently put him into the bitter confinement. Not a thing a half-sober guy would desire, especially with his siblings involved. However these were not the thoughts that have taken his awareness as a prisoner.

Tezuka Kunimitsu. That son of a bitch refused to leave his mind alone, even now when it had regained most of his consciousness. Today’s practice was no help at all. Being a proud one of his self-restraint, Fuji decided to attend it, regardless of how much reluctance he felt to see him vividly in a posture of a living man. Of course he would not commute his choice of leaving him; nonetheless meeting the captain in person was never an occurrence he could plot. Too many capricious points were interlaced and he might end giving away his feelings from the eyes. It proved damn right.

The meeting itself was a one in a million chance and yet it happened. They shared the same court obviously but the prodigy was careful enough not to look at him straight in the eye. Things went well and no one was suspicious that there had been a small quarrel between them. Occasionally he could feel Tezuka’s gaze piercing his back but why would he care anyway? If he could not stand little stares, how would he deal with the much more excruciating pain which nestled eternally within his heart? Everything was flawlessly under control, but why the hell Ryuzaki-sensei had ever come across to the idea of calling for them together in the same time? The matter she intended to talk was not even that important! Or he should have called it fiasco? She asked the captain and the prodigy to spend their time in more and more practices and one-to-one matches. Yes, it was a fiasco and would be a fiasco.

And there they were, ended only the two of them in the deserted court. Thankfully, he could still carry on a conversation during their way to the changing room, however one-sided it was. He knew, his captain must be furious of him behaving so casually after what had just happened among them for he was trying his best to conceal the same emotion. And after so much hard work and relent, he let his mask fall.

It was a moment of coincidence. He was discarding his soaked tennis shirt when suddenly the wooden bench in the room which was occupying its normal place innocently appeared to be a bit more interesting than it should seem. Then thousands of pictures of their lovemaking began to pour, filling his line of sight with pleasing images, nevertheless disagreeable. It happened in not more than three seconds; yet when the prodigy finally looked up, he found his captain had been watching him for some times. He was caught off guard for a while before swiftly closing his eyes again and presenting his typical smile.

But Tezuka had seen it. It was only for a second but the tensai had let his guard down. He dreaded of what the other guy could have possibly seen in his eyes in that one moment. Misery? Anguish? Yearning? Or perhaps deeper? He dared not to think. Whatever it was, Tezuka did not say a word and merely walked out the room. Left inside, Fuji did not know either to feel relieved or upset.

“Look out!”

A swoosh sound along with the scream wake him up. Automatically he brought his right hand up and tilted his head slightly to the left as a ball glided into his palm. A small-sized football with scratches and dried mud here and there. He looked down and took into his view a set of horrified little faces, petrified watching his agility. Broadening his smile, Fuji tossed the ball, which was caught by one of them. The boy beamed bashfully and gave him a wave.

He waved back and they started to play again, although he doubted with more caution than before. A minute later the ball kicked a man’s head and the kids turned into cute little statues again. Fuji laughed at this and realized for the first time that evening he was actually enjoying the park.

The place was beautiful at dusk. Pleasant relaxing breeze and the golden glow of sunset made him feel like he had submerged himself into dreams, a realm that was too good to be true. And the voices. Chirping of birds fluttering their wings to their nest, laughter of children, far-off splattering sound of water; in this place he could believe that he actually was a part of this world. It was lost to him of when this park had begun to be his sanctuary, a place that he would go, deliberately or not, whenever he felt that his life should have never existed.

His gaze traveled along the park, studying every parts of it before eventually stopped at one spot. A forlorn smile took over his lips. Memories, ever so priceless and irreplaceable. He remembered his own memories there, under the golden-leafed tree. Precisely a year ago on an autumn evening just like this.

---Flashback---

The park was not crowded but never really uninhabited as well with several children and joggers pacing around. Fuji strolled to a particular golden tree as his keen eyes kept scanning the surroundings. He arrived there precisely at 5 o’clock but his inviter was nowhere to be seen. Oh well then, let he just sit and read. It was a good thing that he brought a book. The Big Bad City by Ed McBain; not his usual taste, but he was not truly inflexible in this department. There was nothing wrong with giving it a try.

He was up to page 17 when a pair of shoes came into his sight, halting right next to his sitting spot. The tensai looked up and found a pair of dark-blue eyes staring down at him. The newly-arrived guy had a smirk lavishing his lips as his right hand settled itself on the brown tree bark.

“You’re late,” the prodigy announced nonchalantly.

“I said around five, not at five,” the newcomer countered, cocking his head to a side, “I still have fifty minutes to six.”

“Typical.” It was the only comment given by the smiling prodigy; true as it was, since the Hyoutei captain rebuffed whatever thing against his words, or to be more precise, against his judgment of what the words supposed to mean. No response came as the other guy merely sat down as well with his back leaning on Fuji’s bent leg. The tensai raised his eyebrows. “And? Am I allowed to find out of why the invitation came?”

“Nothing in particular,” Atobe answered as his hand shoved Fuji’s knee down, claiming a spot for his head on the tensai’s lap. A smirk emerged on his lips when he looked up, catching two aqua pools staring at his direction in silent amusement. “Since Coach has let us to have this day off, I decide to spend this rare albeit well-welcomed opportunity taking a full benefit of it. This park is quite a place to kill one’s time, isn’t it?”

There was a silence interrupting their sinuous dialogue and again Fuji had his eyebrows lifted, this time in complete disbelief. “I can hardly trust my ears that those words are actually coming from your mouth.”

An unrestrained chortle answered his small remark. Both had their eyes fixedly on each other before ultimately Fuji chose to pick his book up and started to read again. His idle hand was laid immobile and unused on the soft grass to his side, unwilling to answer teases Atobe had planned in setting his head comfortably there.

/Not playing it easy, aren’t you?/ the captain thought, somewhat pleased by the unexpected progress. /No, you’ve never played this easy at all./ It was not as if the attitude had annoyed him at any rate; on the contrary it amused him to no end. To think of it now, perhaps it was why the prodigy had intrigued him so. That sort of will not to take an interest over the captain doings or remarks and a kind of detached atmosphere surrounding him. He must admit the more unattainable Fuji was determined to be, the more effort he would put to conquer him.

Not that Fuji was conquerable, as his name probably would have already stated. Atobe realized this perfectly when he stared at the pair of ocean’s depth which was mirroring generally nothing but lines from the book. Despite the fact that he had proudly declared the tensai as his, not once his own heart was ever convinced. Long it had suffered doubts he had never spoken out loud. It was too ridiculous to admit that the almighty captain was losing his confidence out of nothing but emotion. And so they never eased off. There were times during their lovemaking that he would whisper ‘you are mine’ over and over again, as bizarre as it could be, merely to convince his being that Fuji was actually there, loving him. And Fuji would only smile, that distant smile that never failed to build more doubts within him. Yet, he had never left him.

/But you are mine./ He settled on that thought resolutely. How he detested his uncertainty, and he abhorred it even more in this state, when he was only able to see Fuji’s eyes in a form of lustrous blue slits due to his unprofitable position. He did not like to have him staring elsewhere but his way. With a sudden rashness, he swept the green book aside from his line of sight. “Do not read.”

Fuji made a slight frown on his ever joyous countenance. “We are not conversing either. You are the one who stay silent.”

“Really? So you want to converse?” the captain rose from his position and leveled his gaze forebodingly with those captivating sapphire orbs, intimidation clouded over his own eyes. “Fine, let’s converse.”

Deep marine eyes met cerulean ones as Atobe crushed his lips upon the prodigy’s. Fierce and demanding was the move of his tongue while on the other side, pushed backward to the tree bark, Fuji responded calmly. His tongue traveled so slow, continuously taunting and teasing him, that blind hunger robbed almost all senses the captain had. He tried to force his way in to no avail; Fuji was not about to relent so easily. Skillfully the tensai wind a rhythm in their kiss until both moved at the same pace. Then he retracted, letting his captain to taste every corner of his mouth, with little intrusions of his tongue every now and then which nearly sent his companion over the edge in pure bliss and torment.

When they eventually pulled back both tennis players had their breaths coming in and out in ragged gasps. Atobe stared at the slightly dazed but ever so tempting look of his tensai, the look which made loving him so easy, if no consequence was considered all along. His right hand found its place on the rough tree trunk next to Fuji’s face, still refusing to increase the somewhat little distance they had in between.

“Is this how conversing always goes with you?” the prodigy inquired with a teasing smile as he stayed still, no intention to back away from his spot at all.

“This is my way to converse,” he answered in his commanding tone, not leaving the spellbinding azure eyes even for a second, “to some who are really arduous to deal with.”

Fuji chuckled light-heartedly. “Unfortunately I am one of them. Well, at least now I manage to learn of why so many people are afraid to converse with you.”

“You’re not,” the captain pointed out the prominent fact.

“Should I?” The relentless smile was still there, on the immodestly tempting lips which no seemed-so-innocent guy like him should own. It made every part of his body throb with need to feel them pressed on his own skin.

“Do not even try,” he whispered the answer to those lips with a considerable degree of threat before claiming them once more. As hard as it might be, he struggled not to be carried away by the skillfulness of Fuji’s tongue, while his left hand rummaged through the inner pocket of his jacket, searching for a thing which appeared to be his ulterior motive of ordering the prodigy to come. Cautiously he put it on Fuji’s neck.

The tensai stopped abruptly and glanced down, slightly surprised by a cross pendant dangling on a grey almost black chain on his chest. Sapphire embellished the cross, a colour he seemed to recognize only too well. With a little smile he looked up, upon a pair of similar coloured eyes. “Isn’t it me who supposed to give you a present today?”

“I merely make sure that you do remember about my birthday.”

“Well, I do hope that I am forgetting that little fact,” he laughed good-naturedly and a second later his tone fell into a gentler one, “but I don’t. Thank you and happy birthday, my dear captain.”

They waited for a moment before Atobe cut the silence. “What? You have no present for me?” his voice was echoing utter disapproval.

The prodigy laughed at this. “I should have known why I want to forget about your birthday in the first place.” His eyes shone luminously, glimmering in the red ray of setting sun, as his thought drifted to the surprise party he and the rest of the team had prepared for the Hyoutei captain that night. Slyly the tensai answered, “Later, my captain. I promise I will give it to you tonight.”

“Tonight, eh?” Atobe repeated in amusement, “Well, then I won’t mind to wait a little longer.”

Fuji poked him on his brow slowly. “I think I can see some dirty thought going into that head of yours, am I right? I can assure you none of them can be materialized that easily. I mean it if I said it was a present.”

“What if I say that you are a present to me,” suddenly the captain answered in a more subdued tone which caught the tensai instantaneously. He pressed his temple to his companion’s, staring intently into immeasurable aqua pools. “I lied about the cross. I bought it merely to remind you about me,” his tone rose slightly, “You are mine, Fuji. Do not ever give your heart to another, guy or girl.”

“Possessive jerk,” the prodigy commented with a playful smile. Yet soon it melted into a gentle one as he answered, “Never.”

A warm smile emerged on the captain’s lips as his fingers danced alongside Fuji’s cheek down to his jaw. It was true that at first, his pride was the one which forced him into dominating the tensai with his imperturbable attitude toward the respective Hyoutei captain. But once he got to know him, it was absolutely impossible not to fall in love with him. Collecting all emotions and anxieties he kept in his heart, he poured them into the words he longed so much to say.

“I think I love you.”

Fuji chuckled and leant even closer. “I think I don’t.”

“You are the worst liar,” he mocked lightly, sensing a festive smile was spreading from inside his heart until it reached the surface of his lips. With a last glance to his prodigy, he took the enticing lips once more into a passionate kiss.

/Of course./ Fuji thought silently, letting his eyelids to shut gradually. Of course it was a lie. There was no way he would not love the first person that had succeeded in finding a way into his ice-covered heart. The first, and perhaps the last.

---End of Flashback---

A train of laughs sent him back to reality. He snapped his head up, to find the group of children trying to chase the ball passing him. A relieved sigh escaped his slightly parted lips; it was a good thing that the reminiscence stopped there, or else he probably would end up spilling tears from his eyes or worse. It was wrong to set his feet off to this park in the first place.

Too many memories. He stared at the small river with its water depicting an almost perfect reflection of the sunset. A smile crossed his lips as soon as he recalled the moment when regulars of Hyoutei decided to throw Shishido into the river, a celebration of his birthday. It took every effort Ohtori could exert to calm his rage down. But anyway they threw a party for him afterward and the frown on his face did subside. And it was that night, the memorable night at Shishido’s birthday party, Atobe did proclaim that Fuji was his, though not quite explicitly, in front of their teammates. To think...damn!

Fuji diverted his gaze to the yellowing grass beneath him. Could he not just enjoy the park in its beauty as well as serenity and unbothered by long-lost memories? His grip on the railing grew tighter. Fine, it was a test for him then. He should be able to resist these thoughts or he would never set his mind at ease anyhow. Perhaps it was the true purpose of him going to the place, to face the recollections themselves.

Haunting strides of footsteps held his awareness at once. On second thought, perhaps it was not really a good idea of going here. He knew those paces unfortunately too well. The fact that his haven was located next to Hyoutei High School seemed to have completely gone from his mind.

With a deliberate slowness, Fuji turned around and stared indifferently to a person who had halted several paces from him. The Hyoutei captain was in his school uniform and had his hands shoved into his pocket.

“I know I can find you here.”

“Atobe-san.” Fuji inclined his head slightly. Leaning back casually, he had an aloof smile put on his lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this little visit?”

The taller guy decided not to respond to the question as his brow created a noticeable frown, “So now I’m Atobe-san again? Have you developed this new habit since you decided to dump me?”

The tensai tried to ignore a slight twitch of pain appearing in his stomach and presented another heedless smile. “Saa, you don’t have to put it that way, do you?”

No one made any visible move for a moment as they continued staring at each other –Fuji had his eyes closed however. The next statement from Atobe appeared to have no relevance at all with their current state.

“This uniform suits you better then the one you’re wearing now.”

Fuji chuckled lightly, “Ah, well, I don’t suppose I can enter Seigaku with Hyoutei’s uniform, no matter how fine it suits me.”

The rival captain decided to drop the subject. As evasive as always. Fuji always knew how to pull a conversation until the person he was conversing with forgot what he was actually needed to say and damn him to master this ability so well. Yet, being the one who had once been very intimate with the prodigy, the method wouldn’t work on him so easily. He stepped closer and stopped beside his former teammate.

“Care to enlighten me of why you left?” The question was asked so with such authority that it resembled order more than inquiry.

Beside him, the shorter guy crossed his legs. The smile never disappeared from his fair face even for a blink. “You know, I always believe that some things are best to be left unsaid.”

“Is that a no?”

“What do you think?”

Never answering specifically ‘yes’ or ‘no’, it was Fuji. Atobe could not help but to wonder how the hell he was able to stay sane living beside the cunning tensai during those four months. Yet he prodded on. “Answer me.”

Fuji noted ironically of the resemblance between the two captains. He remembered of being asked the same query merely two days ago. Putting aside the stupendous arrogance and the remarkably high level of self-centeredness, Atobe was Tezuka in many ways. Perhaps his current leader was more uncommunicative; but when it came to pursuing a subject, they both could really be a pain in the neck. He offered a modest smile. “Regretfully I have to say that question has no answer, at least for now.”

/Incredibly subtle, and very typically Fuji/ the taller guy thought grimly. He had no idea how to get through the thick walls surrounding the tensai; a year ago Fuji did not put this kind of barrier forth. With an inaudible sigh, he shifted his gaze to the left and found himself stunned by the exquisite picture before his eyes. From the first time they met, he had admitted –though rather heedlessly- that the prodigy was fine-looking. Yet, not seeing him for nearly nine months seemed to weaken his reminiscence of how beautiful Fuji could be. The darkening sky made a perfect background to the slightly illuminating figure, making an impression as if an angel had materialized before him. With a sudden rush of longing, he remorsefully thought if only there was nothing wrong going on between them, the divine being would still be his.

Compulsively he reached out and touched the swaying brown hair, feeling them caressing his skin. With a wistful tone he whispered, “Is it because of him?”

The soft threads left his fingers as the owner turned to face him, a flat smile was directed at him. “And who is this ‘him’?”

Atobe laughed dryly and out of the blue grabbed Fuji’s shoulder; another act which reminded the tensai of Tezuka. “Do you think you have concealed your liaison with the great Tezuka-sama so flawlessly? Even I have heard some displeasing rumors about you both.”

Fuji felt his eyes were ripped open forcefully by invisible hands. “You have?” /Then probably she has found out as well.../

“Damn right I have,” the captain snapped irritably and moved forward, cornering the prodigy harshly against the railing. His dark eyes were reduced into a pair of ominous slits as his voice ascended in stern accusation. “Haven’t you promised me that you would never look at others? Why, Fuji? What the hell is going on?”

The smaller guy sought helplessly for an answer other than ‘I am a murderer, please stay away from me’ under the piercing gaze Atobe bestowed upon him. If he were to reveal the truth now, there was no point of their suffering all the way and it would only put his former captain in a more dangerous position. Yet, he noted with a minor pang of guilt, it felt so nice to be back in those arms again, to look into those navy eyes again. A small mocking laughs appeared somewhere in his head and images that he had wished no more to see began to unfold. Fuji closed his eyes deliberately to amass his composure and decided to take his most preferred response: evasion.

He took a grip on both of the captain’s shoulders and leapt high, liberating himself from the imprisonment. With the agility he had gained from his harsh trainings, the prodigy landed gracefully several metres from his astonished captain. Lifting his tennis bag to his shoulder, he cast a final smile at Atobe.

“I’m afraid those questions also hold no answer.”

The taller guy only could see him walking away, leaving the unanswered behind. He must exploit every bit of effort he had to not shout the question out loud: just why? Was it too much for Fuji to just admit that the other captain had stolen his interest? Suddenly leave he felt anger breed within him. He resented the tensai for not answering, for not erasing his doubt, for allowing the flicker of hope in his heart to stay alight.

Atobe looked up at the wine-coloured sky as the sun sank even deeper to the west. Times, which would never come back; it was the only thing human being couldn’t beat, the one that many said would heal any wound. But now, times seemed powerless to erase his pain. His first love and the Goddess of Fate were playing a game on them.

/”I think I love you.”/

/No,/ he smiled bleakly at the spot next to him where the tensai was merely a minute ago. /I knew I loved you, and I still do./

--- ---

I2 Headquarters; The First Vice Office

October 4 – 07:05 p.m.

There were unusual bustles living up the I2 headquarter. Sitting straightly on his chair in the spacious room devoted to the First Vice, Tezuka could hear almost clearly the steady sound of peripatetic footsteps which were passing continuously in front of his office. The crucial place used to be mute of any sound, a perfect depiction of the dwelling of those who had performed countless enigmatic deeds. It was for the assignment that they would undertake in two hours, which had made the bureau felt less like a cemetery. According to several spies they had assigned throughout numerous fishy groups, a murder would take place that night, at 9 o’clock sharp, at a minister’s residence.

The First Vice thoroughly reread the plan he had fastidiously set up. Appointed by the Solff to lead the particular mission, he must assure himself that everything would go precisely according his plot. He of course perceptively aware that the plan still had few gaps which could eventually lead them to failure; still it was the best one he could come with at the moment.

Actually it was an excellent strategy, if only he had not learnt to breed that doubt within him. Ever since he knew Fuji, he had been compelled to raise his opinion concerning assassins in the skill department. Not that he undervalued them before; but if every killer out there –or at least the ones he would face in this operation- were as good as Fuji, he doubted that the plan would very much work. Not to mention that he was almost convinced that he would meet Fuji tonight, under a very inconvenient circumstance.

Well, there was nothing else he could do if he was unable to find a better idea. Noticing that he still had thirty minutes until the last check took place, Tezuka turned his attention at his computer. He made for the internal search engine and typed the word ‘FUJI’. Plentiful answers regarding anything related to the word ‘FUJI’ appeared on his monitor and the agent silently wished that the word were not so ubiquitous.

Finally he came to what he was searching. The Fuji Clan. An old historical family in Japenese Society. Held a powerful influence in economics and politics due to the innumerable companies they owned. The head of the family had passed away fourteen years ago and for the time being the entire clan was led by his wife. There was a picture of an aristocratic-looking woman at the side of the commentary.

Tezuka leant back to his comfortable chair and stared at the picture. The patrician woman looked nothing like Fuji, but he was not sure himself that they were related. He had no idea who Fuji’s parents were since the prodigy had never revealed his family much, save for a younger brother whom they met in a tournament against St. Rudolph. His suspicion was merely based in common knowledge that many of the old clans were still preserving the habit of having a squadron of killers in their family just in case. Of course the I2 had tried once to infiltrate the respected clan, but the effort seemed to end in vain since the family was too strict.

A glimpse of the prodigy’s face crossed his mind. Tezuka wondered what the reason behind all killings he had done was. To his knowledge, there was no palpable connection between the unsolved cases. Why, then?

His meanderings were stopped by a sense of another’s presence in the room. Must be Atsushi; there were few who could move as soundless as he was.

“Is the preparation finished?” he called out.

“Yes, Sir,” a dark figure stepped out from a shadowy corner, presenting the impassive face of his loyal agent. “You are needed now. The last check will be begun momentarily.”

Tezuka rose from his seat and shut his computer down. With his paper plan at hand, he reached for his trench coat which previously was draped at the back of his chair. There was resentment stirring inside him. He knew he began to hate all of these assignments with the prospect of meeting Fuji at the battlement. They would not kiss this time; they would aim guns at each other head.

--- ---

Fuji’s Residence; Yuuta’s Bedroom

October 4 – 07:16 p.m.

“Where is that damn lock pick!?” Yuuta yelled furiously at no one in particular. His two older siblings watched him in quiet amusement though both knew pretty well where the lock pick was –hidden safely under the pillow. As for everything, Fuji could hardly resist the urge to tease his brother, being the most innocent altogether short-tempered of the three, and probably the purest soul in that filthy dwelling packed with foul murderers. His presence had always been a relief to the other two and his occasional homecomings from his dormitory made the house feel more inhabitable. Unfortunately for the youngest one, it had brought him more calamities than benefits, surviving as an object of his brother’s twisted affection.

After more searching through his desk –where he had left the damn thing as along as he recalled- suddenly the outraged Yuuta turned to his brother and accused blatantly. “Aniki! This is one of your pranks, isn’t it? Where is it!?”

Fuji, who seemed to be harmlessly busy checking his Beretta, looked up and smiled innocently. “My pranks? Yuuta, I don’t think I understand-“

“WHERE THE HELL IS MY LOCK PICK!?”

“Ah, your lock-pick,” the older brother nodded understandingly, as if he had just learnt of the fact that his brother had lost a lock pick a second ago. “Saa, let’s see... I think I’ll let you know if you kiss me.”

“ANIKI!!!”

A stream of laughter coming from their sister filled the room; she always enjoyed the endless teasing Fuji made to their brother and today was no exception. To witness the cute face burning into brilliant shades of red was much more satisfying than to walk on their usual depressing duty in silence and gloom. Fuji still had the beatific smile on his countenance as he fished out the hidden lock pick. Yuuta glared at him and seized it instantaneously with much incoherent growling.

“Nee-san, can you hand me those shurikens?” Fuji pointed at the set of neatly arranged small blades. His sister complied the request in a bit of wonder.

“You will need these?” she questioned, handing the leather case.

“These blades?” Fuji repeated absent-mindedly; he was still too much amused by the ‘baka aniki’ grumblings erupting from his fuming brother. “Ah yes, it seems that we will have a little encounter with the I2 guys tonight. We’ll have to be more careful, right?”

Yumiko scrutinized her brother silently. The fact that he would soon meet his captain in most likely a very problematic situation, did not seem to bother him even the slightest. She still held doubts that those two were somehow more than just teammates and on top of that, she did not trust that smiling look. It was a mask that had been fervently glued to his face; a smile had always been the most impenetrable facade. She knew, her brother had to smile all the times, or else he would not able to live under such circumstances.

“Ah, Yuuta, you’re touching the lock pick without your gloves on,” she heard him mentioning the little detail. “You’ll leave fingerprints on it.” The next second, another roar exploded from the youngest brother.

“AND WHERE THE HELL YOU’RE HIDING THEM!?”

She could not restrain a smile from appearing on her lips. No matter how cruel the game they were involved in, at least for now, they were together to face their fate.

--- ---

Would-Be Crime Scene

October 4 – 08:32 p.m.

Thirty black figures moved without a sound surrounding the dark mansion. Tezuka waited on a branch of a thickly covered tree, his scrupulous eyes continuously scanned the area. The murderers could emerge anytime soon. At least, he had his agents ready in positions as exactly as he wanted, to guard the life of someone who actually shunned them. Out of concern, the First Vice had sent him an announcement that a number of assassins would probably attempt to take his life this night and the owner of the mansion merely laughed, saying that he was accustomed to obtain a death threat everyday in the last ten years.

He snorted at the thought. But of course; no matter how much he wished to neglect this somewhat important man, an order was an order. The Solff had decided to take this matter on his hand and Tezuka had to accomplish it. There was-

/Here they come!/ He sensed more than heard mobility somewhere beneath him. Clutching the grip of his katana, he pinned his gaze down at a noticeable dark shape, lurking cautiously under the tree where he was perching. One person it was, but where were the rest? Surely he would not come to finish the risky murder alone, would he?

Another shadow ran passing him, too fast that the form had vanished into thin air before he could react. The one below him had yet to stir from his spot. Tezuka contemplated for a moment of what to do. He could chase the sprinting one but he still had about six agents guarding the area where that swift figure was heading. On the contrary, he could choose to detain the waiting company and if he managed to, probably they would have a more clear explanation regarding the clandestine group. It was very unlikely that the captive would speak, even under torture, but there was no harm to try, wasn’t it?

Confirming that his Smith & Wesson was placed within his reach, the First Vice leapt down, emerging right in front of the silent murderer. The other person seemed to be flabbergasted for a while, before drawing out a katana as well. From the outline he could dimly make on account of the moonlight, he settled on a conclusion that whomever he was confronting was a male.

Tezuka dashed first and the other guy easily blocked his opening attack. Strong he was but the agent knew that he himself was much more powerful. He lunged forward, forcing the unidentified person to step into a clearer space. A pair of fiery grey eyes greeted him as they shifted from the shadow under the tree. Indistinctly recognition seeped into his brain, yet he could not put exactly where he had actually met this person since the rest of his face was covered with a piece of black garment.

/He’s good,/ Tezuka praised silently after a few consecutive slashing, /but not to fight me./

It appeared to be true when he finally decided to end the unnecessary battle. With a slight twist of his wrist, the katana flew out of his opponent’s grasp and fell piercing the slightly sodden earth. Tezuka offered no chance for the other to fetch his blade and thrust frontward. Before his sword was able to scratch the other’s skin, suddenly a shuriken whizzed out of nowhere, aimed at him. He managed to skip backward before the sharp-edged knife could slice his flesh. He eyed the small blade incredulously. How was it possible? He hardly sensed the presence of a third person in that region!

Paying no further heed to the newcomer, he scurried to his adversary who almost retrieved his katana back. With two opponents at hand, he could hardly be careless anymore. A little bit lamentable, but he had no choice but to consent some blood-spilling. His left hand was raised, clasping his katana firmly, and slashed down...

...until his hack was obstructed by another katana.

Seemed that the newcomer had joined the battle. Tezuka noted a signal to leave was given to his previous opponent, who nodded and immediately bolted to the darkness behind him right away. His new foe drew back his katana all of a sudden and the agent spotted that his left hand was moving around his black-covered waist, obviously looking for a gun. Wasting no time, he pulled out his own Smith & Wesson.

And both aimed their guns at each other.

Time seemed to have stopped when Tezuka beheld a pair of well-known cerulean eyes appearing before him as the owner snapped them open. The aqua orbs widened even so slightly as he recognized whom the agent he confronted actually was.

There they were, stood motionlessly with each guns touching the other’s brow. No sound could be heard, ever for the soft rustle of the wind, as if the rest of the world were waiting as well with bated breath for what to come. They waited and the two continued staring, face impassive and emotionless.

A soft click came from Tezuka’s Smith & Wesson, yet his adversary barely flinched. The blue eyes kept gazing at him with as much calmness as hostility could offer. An ironical wave passed the taller guy as he stiffened his right hand around his gun. No use to threat him; Fuji knew well that his captain would not be able to pull the trigger no matter what, an upsetting fact which he was also completely aware of.

/So, it has come like this in the end.../ the captain thought bitterly. /I’m here, before you, aiming my gun at you, and yet can’t shoot you.../

A flicker of emotion crossed the cold azure jewels. For a fleeting moment, they softened, countless feelings could be seen wrestling in them. And the next second they were shot dead into emptiness once more.

All of a sudden, the assassin shifted to the left and hoisted his right slender leg rapidly. With a slight kick, Tezuka’s hand had been put away to his side. The agent however, never meant to take it lying down. Almost as instant, he moved his left hand to seize his opponent’s wrist. The next was proven to be unpredictable. Instead of backing off, the prodigy lunged forward and took a grip on his captain arm, lifting his body lightly until Tezuka felt a kick was settled on his opposite shoulder. With that, Fuji managed to free his hand.

His right arm was throbbing in revolt as he looked up and yet found nobody in his sight. The agent was not truly surprised though, considering how deft the prodigy was. But once again, he would not take it without vengeance. Quickly he took the course where his first opponent went.

His brain ceaselessly reeled. He loathed himself up to the point of being disgusted. To be powerless facing Fuji was one thing, and made the whole lot worse, he let him go. Unconsciously his fingers curled into a fist. Something must be done to make amend.

The mansion loomed before him ominously as Tezuka halted. A window was left open; deliberately or not, he found it suspicious. Hastily he hid himself behind a nearby tree, vanishing his presence from the enemy’s line of sight. And there he stayed still, his eyes lingered to the glass window and the dark space behind it. Oh yes, how he hated to wait, as unavoidable as it was in his profession.

His patient was paid back when a black figure emerged from the window, obviously was fleeing from something. A determined look covered his face. No mistake this time. Precisely after the villain ran passing him, the agent took one step forward and with the backside of his katana, hit the uninvited guest straight at the neck. As expected, he fell unceremoniously forward with an audible thud to the ground.

Tezuka watched his victim struggling ineffectively to stand up as his fellow colleagues ran from every direction he could mention, flocking them. Amidst the jumbled murmurs, he could catch one of them said admiringly, “You did it, Sir! You catch one of them!”

“What will you expect from the First Vice?”

“Well, of course!”

“Will you just pick him up and see who actually it is?” Tezuka muttered irritably.

Two of his subordinates rapidly complied his order as they got the villain on his knees. The fabric coating his head was torn open and Tezuka stared in mild surprise at the rampant face of Fuji Yuuta.

To Be Continued

Author Ramblings: Poor Yuuta to run into Tezuka so many times ^^ And the last time is definitely the worst; he is caught! For those who wait for Tezuka/Fuji, no need to worry, I will have many of them in the next chapter. Hopefully I can keep this fast-update for the next chapters. By the way, I have decided what should I do with this story unless something can change my mind. Oh yes, I’m going evil... *cackles* Partly because I want Tezuka to just go and propose Fuji... Come one, you know many after that prodigy of yours! *sweatdrop* Don’t mind me... One thing, after writing that Atobe/Fuji part, I began to feel that I should write about their past in another fic, perhaps a one-shot. Is that necessary? Anyway, thank you for reading and I do hope you will review!

Just for fun, I want to thank these following songs, moreover the composers and the singers for helping me writing this chapter ^^ :

- October from Prince of Tennis, sung by Suwabe Junichi, Atobe’s seiyuu (for the Atobe/Fuji part)

- Michishirube from DNAngel (for most part of the fic)

- Don’t Look Back from Prince of Tennis, sung by Aozu (for the Fuji siblings part)

- X OVA background music (for the ‘aiming guns at each other’ part; really one of the coolest instrumental songs I’ve ever heard)

My Replies:

Cheeseburger of Doom: You deserve the compliment, and I mean it! Of course, angst deserves to be worshipped... what am I talking about? Don’t mind me ^_^* Thank you for the review! Hope you like this too!

Pure Assassin: Wow, I like your nickname... Thanks for saying that, I hope you will be equally happy to see this update ^^ True! I just love lovers in denial, but that should be obvious now ne?

AndyJune: You know, I always contemplate over that little detail (Atobe is Fuji’s first love) because I keep bringing troubles up for our Tezuka/Fuji *sigh* Sorry if this chapter doesn’t have many Tezuka/Fuji but I promise you the next one will. I think it will contain nothing but Tezuka/Fuji... ^^ Thanks for the review!

Angel_of_Godess: You did jump out of chair? *blink* Really? Ahh, I’m flaaaaaattttered! ^.^ I really thank you for keep encouraging me, that mean so much... I hope I can fulfill your hope and thanks for the prayer!

nall: I really have to resist my urge to torture Tezuka so much. Frankly ‘that morning’ is embarrassing for him, isn’t it? I’m glad you like Fuji’s sentence because truthfully I kept changing that part until the time I posted the chapter. I made the right decision then? Thanks ^^ I totally agree with you about killing Fuji’s mother! But if I do it, there will be no story, right? ^_^* About Saeki, hmm... actually I have an interesting plot to play with him, but that will mean I’m adding trouble to this already-troublesome fic... I hope I can find a right spot to materialize my evil plan *insert evil laugh* One more thing, I begin to agree with you that Fuji should have both, especially after I finished writing the flashback part, but... well, I have to be fair. Never agreed of polyandry, no matter how much I’m torn between those two gorgeous captains... Really thank you for the wonderful review!

hellen: Thank you for writing such long review, I truly enjoy reading it! ^^ I hope you’re not too upset with the bits of Atobe/Fuji I insert here, I think I need to explain a few things by writing that part. Ah, thanks also for the suggestion! I still haven’t decided whom to be paired with Atobe, but yes, I will get someone for him. I know by my heart that this fic won’t end up as Atobe/Fuji, I love my favorite paring too much for that and I’m not that cruel to actually kill Atobe, though I must admit that idea crossed my mind for several times ^_^* Thanks for your wish, I’m better now, but perhaps I wish to be sick again if you’ll really send Fuji to baby-sit me ^.^ I will never turn down such tempting offer...

frejya: Thanks! How do you like the Atobe/Fuji part in this chapter? ^^