It had been over a month since their capture. Most of the players recovered fully while Fuji and sometimes even Yukimura suffered a bit of trauma. But Tezuka and Sanada were always there to help them.

Saturday practice ended and Sanada trained himself to the bone after losing to Yukimura and Fuji. Even if it was just recreational tennis, he hated losing. The two smaller boys played all out and Sanada and Tezuka just underestimated them.

They headed towards Yukimura's house, since the captain's parents were away for the weekend, he asked Sanada if he wanted to stay over. How can one say no to Yukimura?

In the empty household, Yukimura prepared fried rice with vegetables and soy sauce. Sanada didn't know his lovely Seiichi knew how to cook, much less work around the kitchen without blowing something up. He wrapped his arms around the captain's waist as Yukimura steamed some vegetables.

"Do you need anything?'

Sanada's hug tightened. "Just you."

He heard Yukimura's soft giggle and buried his nose in the sweet smelling blue hair. "Who knew you can act like this, Sanada."

Then it crossed to him. He did need something or more like want something. "Actually, I do want something from you."

Yukimura looked up at him. "What is it?"

Sanada met the beautiful blue eyes of Yukimura. "Call me by my first name."

"What? That's it?"

"You still call me by my family name, Seiichi. It's not fair." A small smile formed on Sanada's face.

Yukimura turned around so they stood face to face. He placed his arms around Sanada's neck, pressing his body closer to the taller boy. "I love you, Genichirou."

The small smile on Sanada's face widened after hearing his beloved captain call him by his given name. "I love you, too, Seiichi." He gently placed a hand on Yukimura's cheek, the other holding his chin. Softly, Sanada touched his lips with his own.

But Yukimura didn't want slow and innocent. He pulled Sanada even closer, deepening the kiss, making the stoic boy moan. A smirk formed on his face as Sanada wrapped his strong arms tighter around his waist.

Yukimura moaned loudly as Sanada trailed kisses down his neck to his collarbone. He had to force himself to say, "Genichirou, not here," when he felt his tie loosen.

Sanada pulled back and kissed him one more time. "Fine. But tonight, you're mine."

The two ate their dinner in contented silence. Once they finished, Sanada washed the dishes, telling Yukimura, "You cook, I clean."

"Like a married couple." The blue-haired boy whispered amusingly.

Afterwards, he searched for a pair of pajamas for his boyfriend to wear. After Yukimura, Sanada showered. Rikkai's captain flopped down on his bed in exhaustion. That day's training was harder than expected. The team had lost some weight because of the ordeal along with muscle mass. So they trained longer and harder. He didn't even hear Sanada come in and lay beside him. Even though the vice-captain wanted Yukimura that night, he noticed the smaller boy's fatigue and decided to let it pass just for once.

He embraced Yukimura lovingly, pressing kisses on the back of his head. Yukimura gently caressed his arm, nearly falling asleep.

"Sweet dreams, Seiichi." He heard Sanada whisper. "I love you."

Yukimura turned to face Sanada. He moved his up to kiss the other boy. "I love you, too." He let his body succumb to the weariness and drifted off to sleep.

Tezuka hadn't seen or talked to Fuji in nearly four days. He was to leave for Germany in two weeks and wanted to spend as much time as he could with his other half, but could never seem to find him. He hadn't attended tennis practice either. And when Tezuka tried to contact the blue-eyed boy, nothing. Finally, Tezuka figured enough was enough.

He visited Fuji's house after practice, Yumiko telling him Fuji was in his bedroom. When he received no answer after knocking, Tezuka let himself in. And there, sitting on the bed, was his angel, laying out pictures on front of him. He didn't even react as Tezuka stepped inside.

Those bright blue eyes the Seigaku captain came to love only showed signs of sadness. "Syusuke?" The boy didn't respond. "Why have you been ignoring me for the past few days?"

Tezuka's patience grew thinner as time moved forward. He sighed and walked over to Fuji's bed, realizing the pictures were photographs of the two of them. He studied Fuji's distressed face and watched as a tear slipped down his cheek.

"Syusuke?"

Fuji glanced up to meet Tezuka's eyes. Seeing those saddened blue eyes made Tezuka just want to hug and comfort his angel.

"I've just been trying to figure out what I'm going to do without you, Kunimitsu. It's getting harder every single day."

Tezuka sighed and sat next to Fuji, holding the tear stained face in his hands. He softly kissed Fuji, feeling his tears fall from his eyes to his cheek.

"Come to Germany with me." Fuji's eyes widened at those words.

"What?"

"Come to Germany with me." Tezuka repeated, wiping away the tears on his angel's face. "I don't know how I'll survive without you, either. That way, we'll always be together."

Fuji tried to think of something that would oppose the idea, but oddly enough, he couldn't think of anything. The only downside to going with Tezuka halfway across the world was being away from his family. But he knew he would be leaving Tokyo once he graduated high school. He guessed that moving away just happened sooner than what he originally planned.

"I'll… I'll talk to family about it."

He scooted over to make some room for his boyfriend. Tezuka lay his head on Fuji's chest, half his body resting on Fuji while his legs hung over the bed. They looked through the pictures of the two of them, Tezuka not knowing any of them were even taken.

He really did love Fuji. And if his mother and sister opposed the idea of their son going to Europe with his boyfriend, Tezuka would find some other way to make their relationship work. He gently played with Fuji's delicate hands and kissed each fingertip lovingly. Tezuka was not his usual self when with his angel, and Fuji was glad only he could bring out that romantic side.

For all it's worth, he really did love Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Years past and Tezuka was now a professional tennis player, Fuji working as a photographer for the company that sponsored the former Seigaku captain. They lived in Germany in a rather luxurious home; family and friends visiting often.

Fuji remained good friends with Yukimura even if the two were countries apart from eachtoher. Fuji often sent postcards back to Japan, telling Yukimura all the things that have happened while Rikkaidai's former captain sent letters and pictures of his life as well. He and Sanada became some of Japan's formidable players. Many sports critics compared the two of them to Germany's Tezuka Kunimitsu and America's Echizen Ryoma.

The two lived in Yukimura's family home, enjoying their prime and slowly forgetting the events that haunted them in their younger years.

Whether they liked it or not, the past catches up to them. And sometimes, they needed to take a break to reflect on what happened and just reminiscent about the terrifying events that motivated them to live life to the fullest.

Perhaps the kidnapping was curse, as well as a gift, because now, it doesn't take a whole lot to make the seventeen players feel alive.

Oh my gosh you guys! It's finished! How'd you like it? I'm so grateful for all of you who reviewed and told me it was good and you enjoyed it because you guys are my motivation :) So thank you so much for all your support! I honestly wasn't going to post this at first, but I figured, what do I have to lose? Again, I can not thank you guys enough for your encouragement and kind words! so until my next story, Love you forever, AIR