Here it is; the final installment of Buchou in Red. I hope you've enjoyed the read.

hugs

Whisper

"Shishido-senpai, Atobe-senpai is going to open your gift now," Ohtori called, sticking his head out the front door.

"That's nice," Shishido grumbled, staring up at the afternoon sky. Ohtori wondered how Shishido's hair managed to always be in place, even when there was wind or high humidity.

"Atobe-senpai told me to come get you." For most players, that was all the explanation that need be given. Atobe's orders would be followed and the party would resume. Shishido-senpai was, as always, obstinate.

"Tell him I'm busy." Shishido moved to look at the ground, kicking at nothing. "Hey Ohtori?"

Ohtori loved the way his name sounded coming off of Shishido's lips. It sounded deep and husky and…

"Ohtori?"

"Hai senpai?" Why did he have to space out in front of Shishido? No wonder his senpai reacted so violently in the kitchen. No one would want to kiss a space case freshman whose serve never made it into the court.

"Sorry."

The mad circus in Ohtori's brain stopped to record the feather soft apology. "There's nothing to be sorry for senpai. Well, you should be saying sorry to Mukahi-senpai because he was only kidding and now he and Oshitari-senpai are fighting." Shishido should also be sorry for always being so nice to Ohtori and occasionally tossing stray bits of affection out when there was nothing behind them. Ohtori took a deep breath. Getting angry wouldn't help anything, particularly when he had no reason to be angry in the first place.

Shishido growled and walked further out, toward the gravel circle of Atobe's carport. "Dammit, I hate when he's right." Ohtori could barely make out the words as Shishido wiped his hands across his face. In the sun, Shishido's hair looked more red than brown, which suited him nicely, Ohtori thought.

Ohtori moved out onto the porch, closing the door. He'd just stay out and watch Shishido-senpai for a little bit. Atobe wouldn't mind; he knew how difficult Shishido could be. Ohtori's hand moved to the object in his pocket. Maybe, since they were alone…maybe, he might be able to give Shishido his present.

&-&

"Move over, I can't see," Gakuto grumbled, shoving Oshitari out of the kitchen window. From the window, they could just see the spectacle outside. When Oshitari didn't complain that he had been there first, Gakuto knew Yuushi was beating himself up inside. Served him right.

"We should get Atobe's beverage and go back to the party." Yuushi didn't sound confident, like he was supposed to. He sounded like Jiroh when Atobe forgot his half-birthday. He was probably doing it because he knew it would make Gakuto feel guilty and then Gakuto would forgive him and they could go on being best friends. Well forget it, Gakuto didn't need a best friend who made him feel seasick. It wasn't like Yuushi cared anyway. If he cared, he would've noticed by now. Yuushi was just as stupid as Shishido was.

"I need new friends," Gakuto grumbled to the frilly curtain he was holding a bit tighter than necessary. "I need new, smart friends." He cast a look back to Oshitari. The other boy was watching him, eyes blank.

"Would it help if I said I was sorry for hitting Shishido?" Yuushi asked, his arms hanging at his sides. He really looked pathetic when he stood like that, which would usually annoy Gakuto- his doubles partner wasn't pathetic- but, given the circumstances, only served to make the acrobatic player feel guilty.

"I don't care about Shishido, you idiot." There, that was blatant enough, wasn't it? Yuushi could get it from there, couldn't he?

"Then why are you upset with me?"

Gakuto balked. Yuushi really didn't know. He really didn't get it. Gakuto had been dropping hints and acting like an idiot for a year and it was all for nothing. "I'm not upset with you," Gakuto sighed. Maybe Yuushi didn't notice because he didn't want to. Maybe he was being polite to save Gakuto some face. Yeah, that must be it. "Let's get Atobe's juice and get out of here." Mechanically, Gakuto moved to the refrigerator. "Find one of those stupid wine glasses he likes to use."

&-&

Atobe just had to send Choutarou out, didn't he? He just had to meddle in Shishido's life a little bit more. Shishido kicked a rock across the carport, grunting when it got caught in a crack in the cement and started to roll back. Shishido had hoped, when he heard the door close, that Ohtori was going back inside. No such luck. "Hey Ohtori, you don't have to stay out here, you know. It'll get dark soon and then the bugs will be out." That sounded lame. Choutarou would never want to hang out with anyone who said lame things like that.

"Anou…Shishido-senpai.."

Shishido jumped and spun to find Ohtori was much closer than he had been a minute ago. "Gah! Don't sneak up on me like that." Shishido took a moment to catch his breath and marvel at how cute Choutarou was when he blushed. Choutarou shook his head and a stern expression settled on his features. It was the same face he made when Shishido was trying to teach him something during practice.

"Shishido-senpai, please accept this gift." Ohtori pushed a package toward Shishido and, while Shishido knew that the proper thing would be to accept it, his mind was still trailing along with Ohtori's words. A gift? For him?

"Thanks," Shishido managed, taking the package with only slightly shaky hands. "Do I open it now or should I wait?" Shishido got gifts all the time. The girls at school sent him chocolates and other silly things- he had no qualms about opening those and tossing them in the nearest combustibles bin- but this was different. The small box Ohtori handed him was wrapped in a nice blue paper. The edges were rough, so Ohtori probably wrapped it himself. The package was still warm from Ohtori's hands.

"If you would please open it now; if it wouldn't be too much trouble." Ohtori's eyes lowered to the ground and his blush deepened. "If you don't like it, I've kept the receipt, but I…"

"I'm sure it will be fine, Choutarou." As the words left his mouth, Shishido's eyes went wide. He'd never called Ohtori by his given name, not when the younger boy was in earshot. Now Ohtori was going to be offended and- smiling, apparently.

"Please open it quickly Shishido-san, before Atobe sends someone out to get us." There was no mistaking the grin on Ohtori's face. Shishido had done something right. Maybe someday he'd even figure out what it was.

&-&

Gakuto and Oshitari returned from the kitchen with Atobe's beverage. Gakuto looked like a kicked puppy and Oshitari looked ready to faint. Obviously they'd been counter-productive. Atobe removed his fingers from Jiroh's hair, trailing one slowly down Jiroh's cheek before lifting it completely. "Ore-sama was unaware that fetching a glass of juice was such a monumental task. This best be freshly squeezed." Atobe took the glass from Oshitari and examined it. "No good." He dumped it into the Christmas tree behind him. "Fetch ore-sama another. Freshly squeezed if you're going to take a year to do it."

Beside him, Jiroh wiggled and blinked. "My turn yet?" he yawned.

It was a feat of great willpower to keep his hand from running through Jiroh's hair again. How could such tactile ecstasy be possible? Atobe looked down to Jiroh and frowned. "The gift opening is further delayed. Ohtori has not returned and our prize doubles team cannot synchronize themselves enough to obtain a mere glass of juice." Carefully sliding his leg out of Jiroh's loose grip, Atobe walked over to Oshitari. "Is there a hindrance ore-sama should be aware of?"

"There is no hindrance," Oshitari replied, a little too stiffly.

"Ah?" Atobe raised a hand to his face, gazing at Oshitari with a feral grin. "Oh, ore-sama thinks there is a hindrance, Oshitari-kun." Atobe's hand moved slowly down as his arms folded over his chest. "Ore-sama thinks the hindrance is you." Atobe turned to look at Gakuto. "Ore-sama will find you another doubles partner, Mukahi-kun; one that is smart enough to know his own mind." Atobe returned to his seat, glad that Jiroh refrained from cuddling up to his side- it would ruin the effect. "Now, ore-sama's juice. Go."

The pair left, Gakuto white as a sheet and Oshitari red as a tomato. Atobe looked to Jiroh when he felt something warm engulf his hand. Jiroh was holding it. "Ne Keigo, that was mean."

"It was needed," was the reply as Atobe removed his hand from the warm cocoon of Jiroh's grasp. "Now, ore-sama must entertain his guests until our wayward children return."

&-&

Oshitari was unaccustomed to being accused of ignorance. He was equally unaccustomed to feeling as though said accusations were true. Something was going on and someone, probably Gakuto, had neglected to inform Oshitari about it. He entered the kitchen and leaned against the center island, frowning at the refrigerator. Gakuto could squeeze his Highness' juice. Oshitari was of the mind to lace it with rat poison, which would earn him a swift death at the hands of Jiroh. Leaning against the counter and brooding was, therefore, the safest option.

He took a deep breathe and ran over his most recent conversation with Gakuto. A few facts were key to understanding why his doubles partner still wasn't speaking with him. One, Gakuto, while friends with Shishido (why Oshitari could never understand), was not upset about Oshitari having hit Shishido. Two, Gakuto was, while angry, still willing to be in the same room with Oshitari, even if it was under Atobe's orders. Three…three…damn, he couldn't think clearly, not with Gakuto making those cute little noises of frustration as he stretched up to reach a cup.

"We can't play doubles this way." Gakuto's voice was oddly stern. The acrobatic player started cramming things into a juicer and making a grand mess.

Oshitari moved over to wipe a few strawberry seeds off of Gakuto's nose. "Can't play doubles how?" There were several reasons why their doubles partnership was in peril, the topmost being that Gakuto wasn't speaking to him.

"You're all moody, and I'm mad at you, only I'm not mad at you; I'm just upset because you're so damn smart and you can't even figure out that I like you." Gakuto quickly turned back to his juicing while Oshitari forgot how to breathe.

&-&

Jiroh wanted to be by Atobe, but the diva was busy keeping his guests from wondering why the presents weren't being opened so they could leave. It was already five and the sun was going to be gone any minute. The four romance-challenged idiots had been gone half an hour and Atobe hadn't opened Jiroh's gift. The volley specialist was getting impatient.

"Hey Atobe, they're not coming back. Just open my present!" It came out a little more petulant than Jiroh would have liked, but nobody in the room really cared. Jiroh moved from his spot next to Atobe's chair to where the boy stood near a large silver beverage fountain. Grabbing a firm hold of Atobe's arm, Jiroh pulled until Atobe was moving toward his throne and Kabaji was covered in the punch from Atobe's now empty cup.

"Jiroh, ore-sama does not appreciate being dragged." Atobe shook his arm free but continued toward his chair, signaling for his butler. "Ore-sama will open Jiroh's gift, then the rest of you will be free to go." A snap, and everything was in motion.

&-&

The barrettes really weren't anything special, just silver bobby-pins, but Shishido-senpai seemed to like them. When he opened the package, he smiled and slipped them into his hair. There were three, as Shishido-senpai always had trouble with three particular strands of hair. Ohtori hoped that Shishido would think he was observant and not obsessive.

"Thanks Ohtori, these are great." Shishido looked toward the house, opened his mouth to say something, then turned around to face the driveway again. "I'm sorry, I didn't get you anything."

"That's okay Shishido-senpai, I don't need anything." In truth, Ohtori would've settled for a kiss under the mistletoe, but Shishido's violent reaction showed that he was clearly not interested in Ohtori that way. It was sad, but not unexpected.

"I know, I just wanted to get you something, but I couldn't figure out what." Shishido sounded frustrated and he was coiling a finger around his hair- the most obvious of his nervous habits. Ohtori knew all twelve habits, down to the rapid-blink-six-times habit. "I tried for a few days to think of something, but I couldn't. Guess that makes me a bad senpai, huh?"

"Oh no, you're a great senpai!" What made Shishido-senpai think that way? Did Ohtori say something to indicate that Shishido was a bad senpai? Best just to correct the mistake and not worry. Well, Ohtori would worry, just not when Shishido-senpai was around to watch. "You've helped me with my techniques when you didn't have to, and you kept my classmate from making fun of me."

"Choutarou, I hit him and threatened to break his arm. I don't think that helped your image any." Shishido was covering his face with his off-hand. It was his third of eighteen gestures when he was blaming himself for something.

"You helped senpai, and I…I wouldn't want an image that didn't allow for you to be there." It was Ohtori's turn to turn away, embarrassed. Ohtori talked about Shishido-senpai a lot, but he'd never said anything with such blatant adoration. Shishido was going to think he was a freak, like that third year girl who followed him around for a month, asking him out daily. They had had to cancel their special practice session that month because of her. She was one of few people that made Ohtori feel violent. Given the chance, he would still "accidentally" hit her with a high-speed tennis ball.

"Yeah, me too, I guess." Shishido's head was turned to the ground and he was kicking at nothing.

"Shishido-senpai, you're going to wear out your shoes unevenly again," Ohtori warned. This was Shishido's third pair this semester and Shishido had asked that Ohtori stop him from sending this pair to an early retirement. Ohtori would keep his promise, particularly since it gave him a reason to closely observe his senpai.

Shishido stopped kicking the dirt and commenced folding his arms over his chest and tapping his finger on his forearm. "So, what I'm trying to say is," he scratched the back of his head, looking up at the sky, "do you wanna go do something sometime? Something not tennis?"

Ohtori stared. He didn't know what else to do. It sounded like Shishido-senpai was asking him on a date, only this was Shishido-senpai so there was no chance of that being the case. "That would be nice, senpai." It wasn't a date, but Ohtori would take what he could get. Any extra time with Shishido was worth it.

"Right, good, yeah, so…where do you wanna go?" Shishido was blushing and looking nervously to the house and back. "We could go see a movie or something, I guess. I'm not really good at all this dating stuff, so you're gonna have to help me out a bit…"

Ohtori stopped listening and instead focused in on the word "date" ringing in the back of his head. He knew a thousand places he and Shishido could go because he'd thought about his first date with Shishido too many times to count. Usually they would play tennis and go to a noodle house or just for coffee.

"…hey, you listening?"

"Sorry Shishido-senpai, I was thinking. We could see a movie and go get coffee?" That was the safest bet. He would let Shishido pick the movie, probably some sort of action film. Ohtori wasn't much for action films, preferring documentaries or historical films, but he could make an exception this one time.

Shishido looked to the house and back again, this time his eyes focusing a bit before returning to look Ohtori in the eye. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Yes senpai?"

Another look toward the house. "Don't call me senpai. It makes me feel weird."

Ohtori followed Shishido's gaze and saw what his senpai was frowning at. Hiyoshi was watching them from the drawing room window. Ohtori would talk with Hiyoshi later. Shishido was more important. "I can do that Shishido-san, but one condition." Ohtori looked back to the window again. This was going to hurt Hiyoshi, he knew, but it would also get him to move on. Also, Ohtori was feeling selfish. "I…I believe you owe me a kiss Shishido-san." The blush was never going to come off of Ohtori's cheeks. Ohtori bowed his head to keep Shishido from seeing.

A shaky hand turned Ohtori's chin up and, before he could fully open his tightly shut eyes, a sakura-soft whisp of warmth floated across the corner of his mouth. Seconds later, the hand was gone and Shishido was walking toward the house with his hands in his pockets. "Come on Choutarou, Atobe's not going to wait for us much longer."

"Hai sen…Shishido-san."

&-&

Atobe was still unwrapping Jiroh's gift when Shishido and Ohtori wandered in, both pink as pomegranates. Atobe was taking extra care in unwrapping Jiroh's gift as Jiroh's was the most ornate and, being from Jiroh, was particularly special. While it was unseemly to show too much outward affection toward the boy, Atobe was willing to give in to his impulses on small things. No one would notice if he snuck a corner of the wrapping paper to save. No one was actually watching him unwrap the gift anyway; they were staring off like the herd of cattle that they were. Be that as it may, they were Atobe's cattle and, as their future leader, it was important to team unity that he and his future regulars attended these ridiculously monotonous functions. Propriety was discipline, and Hyoutei was held together by a precarious mix of discipline and money; both of which were supplied in great quantity by Atobe.

"I see we didn't miss anything," Shishido grumbled, earning him a very noticeable arm in the side by Ohtori. The little freshman was getting bolder; something functional must've happened during the hour the two spent outside.

"Shishido-san means he's sorry for the delay, Atobe-senpai." Ohtori smiled through is apology while Shishido glared at him. Yes, something definitely happened. Atobe would have to Insight it later. Right now was Jiroh's time.

"Atobe's unwrapping my present, then you can go." Jiroh's eyes were wide open and he was smiling through his teeth. This was his little way of telling everyone to beat a hasty retreat when Atobe was finished opening the gift. Atobe found it terribly embarrassing and as obvious as stating, "I want some alone time with Atobe, so leave," through a megaphone.

"Where are Mukahi-senpai and Oshitari-senpai," Ohtori asked, looking around the room.

"They are making out in the kitchen," Atobe informed, quietly delighting in the sudden gasps across the room. "By ore-sama's estimation they have overcome their little argument and are once again operating as a proper doubles team." At least Atobe hoped they were operating functionally again. He'd kill them both if they waste the wonderful opportunity he gave them.

&-&

Gakuto smacked Oshitari over the head with a roll of paper towels. "Don't scare me like that!" Oshitari was no longer blue, and was breathing properly, but Gakuto had wanted their first kiss to be special and perfectly staged and not mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Oshitari gave a goofy smile and continued to breathe deeply. "Sorry," he managed after a bit. He was standing now, though shakily, and leaning against the counter.

"Do you faint every time someone says they like you or were you just so overcome with disgust that you couldn't breathe?" Gakuto didn't want to talk about his rash declaration, but there was an awkward semi-silence between them and it rankled. They might as well dissolve their doubles pair and get it over with. Gakuto could go to the volleyball team. They needed people. "Look, I'm sorry if it freaks you out, but I like you. A lot. I thought you'd get it after a while, like you do with those stupid girls who follow you around all the time," Gakuto hated those girls, "but you're really not so observant for a tensai, ya know."

"Gakuto, I…"

No, no; Yuushi couldn't talk. That would break Gakuto's heart. Gakuto would rather break his own heart than have Yuushi do it. "So it's okay if we can't play doubles anymore. I was thinking of going to the volleyball team anyway," Gakuto wasn't too fond of the sport, but they'd appreciate him and he'd be good at it, "so don't worry about me, okay? I'll just go say goodbye to Atobe and we can tell him about it later and.."

"Will you shut up?" Oshitari moved quickly, sliding behind Gakuto and placing a hand lightly over his mouth. "It is impossible for me to tell you that I like you too if you continue to interrupt me." Oshitari's hold tightened slightly and his breath was falling harder on Gakuto's ear. "Now, I believe we're standing under some mistletoe and I owe you a kiss for saving my life." Oshitari turned Gakuto around, or he moved around- Gakuto wasn't sure which. In fact, in years to come he wouldn't remember much of that first real kiss under the mistletoe, just that he had felt something warm and wonderful and that there were lights, lots of pretty lights, dancing in his vision.

&-&

Finally, everyone was gone! Jiroh watched Atobe wish the last party-goers well, the feather boa around Atobe's neck swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Atobe hadn't taken Jiroh's gift off since the volley specialist had placed it there immediately after the gift was unwrapped. Occasionally, Jiroh caught Atobe rubbing his cheek against the feathers. "Hey Atobe, can I stay over?"

Atobe looked slightly taken aback, but recovered quickly. He entered the entertaining room and pulled Jiroh up from the couch. "Ore-sama would not be opposed." Jiroh delighted when Atobe allowed him to keep their hands entwined. "Ore-sama expects you to maintain your status as singles two. If you do not, ore-sama will revoke your privileges."

Jiroh moved closer to Atobe, resting his head on purple feathers. "Do you like my present?"

"Yes." Atobe stepped away a bit. He just needed to get used to the closeness, Jiroh reasoned. He'd give Atobe time, like always, to adapt.

"Hey Keigo, can you tell me a bit more about these privileges?" He gave Atobe's hand a squeeze.

"Jiroh, ore-sama is tired and does not wish to make contracts at this hour. We will discuss this in the morning." Atobe held Jiroh's hand just a bit firmer.

"Do you want me to make waffles in the morning?"

"Ore-sama has a cook."

"But do you want me to make them? I can bring them up before you wake up."

"That would be- pleasant. Ore-sama approves."

Jiroh smiled and sounded his agreement with a little kitten pur. He began to go over the things he'd need for Atobe's breakfast meal. Eggs, milk, and mistletoe were the key ingredients.

- The End -