Eiji could not believe the bruises and marks all over Fujiko's body. He felt bad for yelling but he was worried something new and awful had happened to his second best friend in the world. It was quite a shock. His friend had just quietly insisted that he was fine though. That it was what he liked. He and Tezuka liked this.

Eiji could never imagine Oishi doing anything like that to him. Or him to Oishi. Still, Eiji was not stupid. He had heard of things like this before but to see it was still surprising. So after he voiced his opinion about the Kaidoh and Momo-chan problem, he looked forward to talking to Fuji more about everything. Fuji had hidden the marks and bruises under his sweats and the wrist guards covered where his thin wrists appeared under his jacket sleeves. He simply looked calm, smiling, and composed. He looked like his usual self, only maybe just a bit happier than normal.

"Ah." Fuji said when he started stretching out with Eiji. Eiji had watched him carefully to make sure he was not hurt too bad to play and that nothing needed to be put back in place on the tensai. Eiji knew Fuji was watching Eiji watch him--and Fuji looked a little worried. "I suppose you have some questions?" Fuji opened with.

"Hoi." Eiji thought a moment. "Are you happy Fujiko?"

His friend looked surprised at this being his first question. His smile widened and turned sincere, "I've never been so happy. And you?"

Eiji felt his face flush thinking of Oishi and their weekend together. Of this morning even. "Yeah. I'm really happy. Tezuka's going to ask me to be in charge of the freshman matches won't he?"

Fuji looked up and then surprised. "You know, he probably will." Eiji sighed. He hadn't counted on that. He kept stretching out and after a few moments Fuji asked him sounding strange. He sounded a mix of surprised and disappointed, "Eiji, you're not going to ask me anything else?"

"Nya, you can just tell me whatever you feel like." He smiled and thought a little more, "Its Tezuka. He's careful. He cares about you so its not like he would ever really hurt you." Eiji remembered the marks on Fuji's body, "Or that you would let him unless you liked it, nya."

"Mn. But you don't understand why I like it."

Eiji shrugged, "Nya, but I know it has to do with Fujiko's secrets." Fuji looked very worried and alarmed so Eiji said to soothe his friend, "Nya, everyone has secrets. Someday you'll tell me yours if you want." Eiji turned a little away. He felt scared still by all he had to talk over with Oishi today but he wanted Fuji to know this, "And maybe I'll tell you mine."

Fuji looked intrigued as Eiji knew he would be. "Ah. You have secrets?" Now he looked amused, as if the tensai's secrets were a million times bigger than Eiji's were. Eiji knew his were big enough to surprise even Fujiko. Then Fuji looked at Eiji appraisingly, "Oishi doesn't know. Whatever they are, he doesn't know. Does he?"

Fujiko had this way of always seeming to know things. He could read minds sometimes especially when you didn't want him to. It irritated Eiji sometimes because Fujiko could poke a few times in your brain and come up with things that stung like hell, or things you didn't want anyone to know. "Nya yet. But I am going to tell him." Eiji was determined to do this.

Fuji stopped stretching and decided to poke his brain a little more. Eiji had to keep from sighing. He usually liked playing games like this with Fujiko, but this was a big thing, huge, so he felt a little too worried to taunt and tease Fuji as he normally would. Eiji didn't even feel up to his usual attempts to extract Fujiko's secrets today let alone what the meaning and enjoyment behind all the love marks (as Fujiko called them) were. "Big secrets?"

Eiji just nodded. He didn't feel up to speaking and he knew Fuji would understand. Not as well as Oishi did, but still understand. Eiji flipped up into a back bend to stretch his back and avoid any further talking about this now. He hoped Fujiko would let it go.

"Eiji, did someone hurt you?" Fujiko was not going to let this go. Eiji flipped up to a handstand and then over to his feet. He dusted his palms off and held out his hand to help Fujiko stand. As the tensai did, Eiji understood by what he asked part of what Fuji's secrets were, and why the marks now felt good to Fujiko. He also realized with an even deeper shock that if they felt good to Fuji for this reason, then it was very possible they felt good to Tezuka for a similar reason.

Knowing this now, Eiji picked his words carefully, "Nya Fujiko, no one hurt me, nya. It was a long time ago and I need to tell Oishi first. Only my family knows." Eiji explained.

"Ah. And Oishi is your family now too?"

Eiji turned as he picked up their rackets. He held Fuji's out to him. "Hoi. Fujiko, you're my second best friend in the world. Someday, I hope that you're my family too and I'm yours. Then we'll know all each other's secrets, nya." He grinned at Fuji and was rewarded as Fuji brightened and smiled back at him.

"Eiji, whatever you have to tell Oishi, it will be all right. He loves you. Don't worry."

Eiji smiled as his friend said exactly what he needed to hear. It warmed him up inside. "Hoi. Fujiko, did your alarm wake you up?" They walked along on opposite sides of the net.

"Ne, Tezuka did." Fuji looked meaningfully at Eiji to show him how intense his wake up was. Then he laughed and Eiji started laughing too.

"Nya! Then I'm serving!"

"Ah. Because I'm lucky today?" Fuji said still laughing at this change in their ritual.

"Nya," Eiji said whispering, "because you got lucky today! Already!" This made the two of them laugh so hard they held on each other across the net. Eiji couldn't wait to tell his joke to Oishi later. He'd just have to find a good way to tell him so it didn't gross him out.

When they stopped laughing so hard Fuji looked at Eiji slyly. He stood a little too close as was his way and said softly, "Ne, Eiji, tell me one thing. Just one thing. Its all I'm going to ask you. So...who was seme?"

Eiji threw back his head as he laughed really hard. "Nya! Se-cr-et!"

He walked away to serve and they started to play a light rally. In between you could hear Fuji yelling for Eiji to tell him, Eiji telling Fuji no, and both of them laughing as they played.

Oishi and Tezuka soon arrived, warmed up, and started playing next to them. Eiji watched Oishi play out of the corner of his eye. He looked good, although so serious. Eiji had to run to catch the next ball, Fujiko must have hit it to where he wasn't looking trying to take advantage of Eiji's being distracted. He hit the ground hard and said to Fuji as he did, "Too bad, maybe next time!" It hurt as usual but he quickly flipped up in case Fuji caught his flying smash.

Fuji didn't. The tensai went to serve and Eiji laughed, delighted that he fooled Fuji. He noticed Oishi watching him and smiling in approval.

More people showed up and the rest of practice began.

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Eiji had showered with Fuji early to hide the tensai's newest bruises. Fuji also dressed a scrape Eiji had gotten somewhere along the way for him. Eiji looked around for Oishi but really couldn't watch him shower. Not with other people around at least.

After everyone had arrived in the tennis club room changing Tezuka asked all the first years and Eiji to come over. He did put Eiji in charge and Eiji decided that Thursday would be the day of the match for the space. The open cubbyhole was in a great spot and some juniors and seniors even whined about not getting it. Tezuka offered it to whomever wanted to play for it at that point.

It would be an interesting competition. There were all in all 20 guys who wanted to compete. Eiji was pretty sure that Momoshiro or Kaidoh was still the stronger out of them. Their only real competition was going to be each other. Both seemed interested in the challenge. Fuji and Eiji in class divided the players into groups. They would use B and C courts and Fuji also said he would help referee the matches, and that Oishi and Kawamura would probably help also. Eiji set it up so that Momoshiro and Kaidoh would not face each other until the end if they won. You had to be the overall winner to get the space.

It would be a nice change of pace for the team who had been practicing hard. It would also be good to see who was up and coming behind them.

Eiji was a little confused by Momo-chan. They guy seemed excited by the idea of all this but he seemed to be avoiding Eiji lately. He thought they were getting to be good friends but Momo-chan didn't ever seem to want to be around him. Eiji had not been able to talk to him much at all today and he had tried because of the competition. Eiji wondered if he had said something to annoy him or make him mad. He figured he should talk to him as soon as he got a chance.

Other than that, Eiji was excited. This was fun. Fujiko also said Eiji impressed everyone. Even Tezuka. Plus Oishi's first match as a regular was on Saturday and Eiji could not wait to see him play. He was still nervous about talking to Oishi and it sucked that Eiji didn't get to see him until lunch. He didn't even get to talk to him before they went to class he was so delayed with the competition thing he suggested. He even checked his phone but Oishi hadn't texted him. Class took forever and Eiji tried to figure out what Oishi had gotten him for lunch to pass the time that was dragging on. He even did his homework so they could go to the movie later if Oishi still wanted to be with him. He was worried and then thought that Oishi said how much he loved him so it would be all right. Even Fujiko said it would be. Eiji smiled as he thought of Oishi saying he could change time. In class, Eiji certainly wished he could and he started doodling. He drew his new bear.

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Finally it was lunch. He and Fuji met up with Tezuka, Oishi, Kawamura, and Inui and they decided since it was a nice day to go to the roof to eat. There were lots of people eating on the roof. They sat in a circle with Oishi and Fuji on either side of Tezuka to keep Inui away, and Eiji sat next to Oishi. He would have rather sat in between Oishi and Fuji but Kawamura sat on his other side. Eiji liked him too. He usually brought great lunches and too much so that he could share with everyone. He also knew a lot about food. All kinds, not just sushi and Eiji liked talking about food with him and trying what he brought.

Tezuka looked at the plans for the cubbyhole competition and approved. He even said that Eiji did a good job. Eiji thought to himself that probably it was because Fuji helped. He hoped not. Someday he was going to make Tezuka not only like him, but laugh out loud. He swore it to himself.

Oishi gave Eiji the bento he bought for him and nicely told him quietly that if Eiji wanted Oishi's instead or anything from his to have or try he could have it. Lunch was really good and Eiji liked trying Oishi's too. He did it very well he thought, not too boyfriend-y to make anyone uncomfortable. Because it was all their friends it was fun and they laughed a lot even though the time passed fast.

Too fast. Eiji didn't even get to touch Oishi once. Fuji grabbed Eiji by the door before they went downstairs and dragged him off to the men's room. Eiji was annoyed but knew Fujiko did it for the best. He would have talked to Oishi and maybe touched him without realizing it. He brushed his teeth and missed him. "Hi." A familiar voice said right next to him while Eiji finished brushing. Oishi. He came to find him. He missed him too.

Just him standing there made Eiji feel all melty inside. "Hoi!" Eiji went to say but his mouth was full of toothpaste. They both laughed. Eiji looked around and noticed Fuji had somehow disappeared though other people were in and out of the men's room. Eiji wondered if Oishi and Fuji had set this up. "Want to use my brush?" Eiji asked softly and was thrilled when Oishi nodded yes. They both wanted to kiss and this would have to do.

He watched Oishi brush for a minute and then couldn't stand it anymore. He said, "Hoi, give me my brush back later?" Oishi nodded. "See you."

Oishi tried to say see you too but his mouth was now full and they both laughed. Eiji walked out and went to class feeling better. He knew it was silly to feel this way because he would see him later but it would be so much nicer if they were just in the same class.

At least though he had Fujiko.

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Finally classes were over and then they had to go through practice. It was agony now that Eiji made up his mind to tell him to have to wait. He tried to grab Momoshiro to warm up with but he said he was warming up with someone else. Eiji ended up warming up with Kawamura instead and saw Momoshiro go and ask someone else to warm up with him.

Eiji was annoyed. Then he was angry.

Momo-chan could have at least talked to him if he was bothered by something Eiji did or said! He knew he had been a very good friend and senpai to the guy when his Hyoutei rude ex-girlfriend dumped him. It wasn't fair of him to be so mean! Eiji thought of confronting him right then and there when he saw him be such a jerk but Eiji didn't want to have to run a million laps afterwards. Especially after Tezuka finally for the first time ever said something nice.

Eiji knew he had a bad temper but he tried to keep it in check. For Oishi. He was hot in the sun and practice seemed to drag on. He felt completely irritated by everything and everyone. Even Oishi. "Would you like to play doubles with me?" Oishi had asked him, meaning against Inui and Kawamura. Meaning practicing with the regulars. Eiji agreed but was annoyed still.

He remembered that Oishi had asked him that their freshman year too. Several times. Eiji thought Oishi hated him so he didn't like Oishi back. It only seemed fair. At the time too, Eiji had thought Oishi played boring and predictably but Eiji was never able to beat him. It made Eiji so angry. Oishi praised him whenever they played and asked him to play doubles. Eiji could never figure out why and just thought Oishi was mean. Why Oishi asked again and again and why Eiji could never beat him no matter how many times he tried. Mean! Eiji had tried to get Tezuka to notice him by beating Oishi which never did work. Boring, Eiji thought then, Oishi always won and that made him feel stupid. Boring and yet he was always chosen to workout and practice with the regulars. Back then Eiji thought it was because he was friends with Tezuka. Now Eiji knew how good he was.

Eiji was annoyed at himself. He had forgotten all that happened their freshman year and that he was the one who was a jerk when Oishi tried to be his friend. He felt guilty. Not that this had anything to do with Momoshiro but it still bothered Eiji. In fact, everything did.

Then two games in, both of them they lost, Eiji looked around. Everyone seemed to be annoyed. Maybe it was from the heat or from the atmosphere but as he looked around, everyone was short with each other. Snappish, abrupt, and several arguments broke out. Eiji looked at Oishi and told him without saying a word to look around. Oishi did and looked back at him surprised. Eiji paused a moment to talk to Oishi, seemingly about strategy.

"How did you notice? Do you think its the heat?" Oishi asked as Tezuka assigned yet another two people laps for arguing on the courts. Soon it seemed that the entire team would be running.

"Nya!" Eiji said alarmed, "I was feeling all...angry and when I looked around, everyone else was too."

"Are you angry now?" Oishi asked and smiled at him. He looked so happy and Eiji wanted to hold him close. He smelled like the sun and outside and was warm and happy.

Eiji smiled and bit his bottom lip. "Nya. Not angry Oishi." He smiled back at him feeling happy inside again. The anger and high heat of the day was suddenly totally gone replaced with a nice tingly warmth.

"Then lets win."

"Hoi!" Eiji responded and they high fived. They held it a little longer than they should have but that felt right also. Eiji walked up to the front again. He looked right at Inui who mumbled something about interesting data response and adjusted his glasses. "Nya, that's nothing. Prepare to be punished by Kikumaru-sama's acrobatics!"

They won 6-2.

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After practice was finally over, Oishi told Eiji he had the keys now to the room and that Tezuka was letting him lock up tonight for the first time. He wasn't official Vice Captain yet, but it would be announced soon. They could wait around until everyone left or go use the workout room and come back. Oishi wanted Eiji to do some weight training in their regulars practicing and Oishi said he needed to work out as he hadn't in too many days.

Eiji was interested and curious. He had never even gone to the weight room. The regulars all did during training and practicing but the other team members did only if they wanted to. Oishi went through what he said was for him a light workout. He showed Eiji where everything was and how to set things up. He really was a good teacher. He had Eiji do some things and then Oishi did some with much heavier weights on them. Oishi was really strong and he made it fun.

What Eiji really liked was that the room had mirrors all the way around it. And even a ballet type bar along one wall. Eiji also liked playing on the wobble board for a while. Oishi showed him how and told him to try because it was supposed to help with balance. It was easy and fun. Oishi was amazed at how sturdy Eiji was on it and made Eiji laugh when he tried to show Eiji how naturally good he was by showing Eiji how bad Oishi was at it.

They threw a heavy "medicine" ball for a while and then Oishi had Eiji do a few more positions and he held Eiji's ankles or legs while Eiji had to do odd things. Hold a heavy bar and twist, pull some heavy handles. Oishi seemed to know what he was doing and have a very set plan so Eiji let him lead. He didn't seem to be making fun of him. On the last position, Oishi was holding Eiji's legs down as Eiji pulled heavy handles attached to cables. Oishi explained that it was to increase Eiji's rotational power and strength. "Nya Oishi, you just want to touch me all over." Eiji joked. He saw Oishi smile in the mirror.

Suddenly they both realized they were alone in the room. Other students were there when they arrived but they were gone now. Eiji felt his heart beating faster than it had all day. Oishi without a word took the weights from Eiji's hands. He let them down gently and stood slightly from where he was seated on Eiji's upper legs. Eiji was laying on his stomach. Using the mirror, he moved his legs out from under him and turned around fast. They both straddled the bench and faced each other. "Thank you for doing all this." Eiji said realizing that Oishi must have put this all together specifically for Eiji although he never said.

"My pleasure." Oishi said and kissed him softly on his lips. He had put his hands on Eiji's face and kissed him sweetly. After a whole day of not being able to touch and kiss him how he wanted, Eiji heard himself give a little moan of pleasure and then he leaned into him closer. Eiji threw his legs on top of Oishi's and moved a little closer to him. Oishi licked inside his mouth and touched his lips with his tongue. Then he touched their tongues together and Eiji moved more in to kiss him back more. Oishi this time made a little noise. It sounded like a little soft growl and Eiji liked it.

Eiji was now on top of his lap and he held him close as they kissed. He knew he had to talk to him but this felt so good that he didn't want to stop. His feelings for Oishi though won out over his wanting more. Eiji pulled back and just held him. He licked the skin on Oishi's neck, feeling his pulse with his tongue and lips. "I missed you." Oishi sighed.

"Hmm...I missed you too. I want to tell you but not here, nya." Eiji wrinkled his nose. He did not like how the room smelled. Like old sweat, metal, and stale air. There were no windows in the mirrored room.

"Bad smells?" Oishi asked.

"Hmm...but you smell good." Eiji said snuggling up to him and his smell more.

Oishi looked at the clock on the wall. "Its getting late. Do you want to talk or go to the movie?"

"Nya, want to talk." Eiji really wanted to do both and he was sad.

"We can go to the movie tomorrow then?"

"Hoi, if you want...." Eiji was still not sure Oishi would not be upset.

"Of course." Oishi kissed him softly, "I want to. If everyone's gone, want to go to that place I wanted to show you? We can talk there? We'd have to change fast and hurry though or we won't get there in time."

"Hoi!" Eiji looked at them both in the mirror, they were all sweaty. "I can't shower next to you, nya."

"If its just us?"

Eiji felt bad but told the truth. If they were naked next to each other alone he knew they would never make anywhere they had to hurry to get to. "Nya, I will probably have to pounce."

Oishi smiled and looked to think a moment, "Lets see if anyone's here. If not then I'll lock up, we can go like this on our bikes, and then come back after. Its not far and we can ride there and come back. All right?"

"Hoi!" Eiji said now pleased. This was getting more and more interesting.

As it turned out Fuji and Tezuka were both in the tennis club room. The door was locked and Oishi knocked. They had left their things including Oishi's keys in the tennis club room. Tezuka opened the door and Eiji saw his face flash relief that it was Oishi banging on the door. Oishi talked quickly to Tezuka and explained that they needed to go somewhere and then would be back in about an hour. Tezuka seemed to hesitate.

Eiji was not sure why. It looked like Tezuka and Fuji were...well...busy. Maybe though it was not good Oishi wanting to leave like this his first day locking up. But then Fujiko popped his head around the corner. He spoke softly into Tezuka's ear for a moment and then handed Oishi his keys. Whatever he said convinced their Vice Captain. Tezuka agreed making sure Oishi had his keys and the gate code in case it was locked.

They ran to their bikes and Eiji followed Oishi.