A/N: Here we are with an installment on a story that needs an update!

It is time I've exited the slump I've been having and get back into business. I owe you guys all this update for being so patient.

Thank you for the comforting and entertaining PM's, the reviews to remind me there still are readers, and the casual push for a new chapter.

No promises for the releases to come but I will do my upmost to get back into a routine that will include regular updates. Until I can get back into routine of my mass updates, I'll be releasing at least 3 chapters every Friday. Those chapters I'll give everyone the option of choosing by reviews received on the stories since people have mentioned that not everyone can vote on poll unless they have an account. Deadline of review count will be Mondays. If anything ties, I may or may not make an exception and release an extra chapter on Fridays.

katslair – I know, despite how many I have completed, I have twice as many uncompleted ones sitting there waiting to be finished. Well I guess you can start making predictions on the next chapters as some do and see if we follow the same thought process XD

PheonixShadow – Fuji will take a dive up and down through this fic since he's convinced himself that he cannot move on but slowly, he's slipping for Ryoma unconsciously.

MARYLOVER – LOL

A kiss may be in the near horizon.

Heartbeat

Rated: T

Summary: Fuji has moved on since the day Hazuki died…better yet, he's vowed never to love anyone to the extent he loved Hazuki…so why is it that fate keeps throwing a golden-eyed angel in his path.

Chapter V: I Like You

December 29th

Osaka, Japan

"Are you ready for this?" Fuji teased as he stared at Ryoma who seemed deep in thought after submitting his entry into the tennis tournament.

"I've been waiting a long time for this." Ryoma informed him with a nod. "I had better be ready."

"So serious…. It doesn't suit that cute face of yours." Fuji uttered. He snapped a photo of Ryoma on a whim again and realized that he liked snapping pictures of Ryoma. He also realized this boy made him chuckle and more comfortable then he had been in a very long time.

He was also an amazing tennis player. By the end of the third day in the tournament, Fuji had filled his memory on his camera full of Ryoma. He watched in fascination at Ryoma's beautiful form as he served, smashed or volleyed. It was no wonder that before he knew it, Ryoma was already scheduled to be in the semi-finals tomorrow.

"You did well," Fuji praised as usual when Ryoma met him outside the court.

"Un," Ryoma replied as usual. He was quite used to Fuji snapping away at his camera and supporting him from the sidelines already.

Though they still bantered on food, strategies and other topics, Ryoma discovered that he didn't really dislike Fuji's way of coddling him by teasing him. It was endearing even if it was annoying.

xXx

Osaka Hotel

"That wasn't fair," Ryoma complained as he fell back on the bed away from the checkers board. "You tricked me into going there!"

"The play was solely up to you in the end though," Fuji chuckled out. "You didn't have to take my advice."

Ryoma merely frowned at Fuji and continued to lay on the bed. It had been roughly almost a week since he had come to Osaka for the tournament without informing his mother. He was sure she was worried but he was knew he could be just as stubborn as her and pursue his dream. He had to prove he could do all the things he wanted to do now. He had to prove to his mother that he couldn't fear tomorrow and stand bravely to face the future.

"Oi!" Fuji said poking at Ryoma's rib. "Move over!"

"Yadda!" Ryoma said with a smug look. Fuji sighed and dropped on top of him. If he wasn't going to share the bed then he could sleep on the bottom of Fuji for all he cared.

"Get off!" Ryoma complained as he pushed Fuji off of him.

"Yad-da!" Fuji used Ryoma's favorite word back as him as he became as limp as a piece of paper to Ryoma's pushing. He enjoyed how Ryoma was using him as a weight. Suddenly Ryoma let go and Fuji dropped back down on top. He spread his arms to catch himself so he wouldn't slam into Ryoma but he wasn't fast enough since his lips landed unceremoniously on Ryoma's. It was warm where their lips touched, warm and soft… something Fuji could barely remember since it had been so long since he had last done that with anyone.

Both stared blankly at each other before Fuji rolled off awkwardly and no one commented on what just happened between them.

"You should go home," Fuji finally said to break the awkward silence between the two of them.

"If I can impress them, I can join the tennis league and advance." Ryoma said with determination. "I'm not going to be a coward and retreat now."

"You're amazing…" Fuji breathed out as he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. "You look towards the future all the time and yet I'm stuck in the past."

"You don't have to be," Ryoma said facing Fuji now. His golden eyes looked deeply into Fuji's as he spoke.

"Easier said than done," Fuji explained.

"First steps are always the hardest," Ryoma admitted. "But I can be here for you like you were here for me."

"I'm just the money bank paying for this room aren't I?" Fuji joked.

"Nope," Ryoma said with a rare smile. "You were at all my matches cheering for me, you encouraged me and always stood there for me."

Fuji smiled back. He never knew all the little things he did that didn't seem like anything mattered that much to Ryoma.

xXx

Ryoma

"Six games to two, match and game Takeuchi!" The umpire called out and Ryoma raised his racket in victory to the cheers of the crowd but his eyes only looked for the figure of Fuji. His eyes met Fuji's across the court and a simple smile was conveyed between the two of them.

"Good job coach!" one of the ball boys said to Fuji with a smile. "You're boy did well."

Fuji didn't know what to say since he wasn't Ryoma's coach but he was still extremely proud of Ryoma. He really was a surprising player. He didn't have a certain style so watching his game was always an anticipation of what he could possibly pull off next. He watched almost like a proud papa as Ryoma shook his opponents hand and was declared the tournaments winner. Fuji couldn't remember feeling this enthusiastic in a long time. Ryoma was bringing in all sorts of emotion he hadn't felt in a long time. Though that made him happy, somewhere inside Fuji also felt a slight fear at the influence Ryoma exerted on him as well.

xXx

"You did it!" Fuji said with a smile when Ryoma finally was able to come to him.

"I did," Ryoma said with a smug smile. "I was offered the chance for sponsorship to compete in the US Open."

"Shall we celebrate then?" Fuji asked with a smile.

"Thank you," Ryoma said suddenly instead.

"For what?" Fuji asked as they took their time leaving the tournament grounds.

"For believing in me." Ryoma answered.

xXx

Later that night

"Fuji, you just up and left!" Oishi accused when Fuji called him.

"Sorry," Fuji apologized. He had really called to get Ryoma's phone number off of Oishi since he recalled that Ryoma was Oishi's patient. He had forgotten to let Ryoma's mother know that he was safe here in Osaka.

"How's Osaka?" Oishi asked after ranting for a while on Fuji being careful.

"It's good," Fuji admitted. "Refreshing."

"That's the happiest I've heard you sound in years," Oishi said suddenly. "I'm glad you're enjoying life again."

"Aa…" Fuji agreed softly. In all honesty he hadn't thought about his happiness at all these few years. He was so caught up in being busy and forgetting Hazuki that he hadn't really relaxed.

"I'm glad you're feeling better so I can worry more for Ryoma, do you remember him?"

"I do," Fuji said jolting out of the matters of his heart. He was the reason for this call after all.

"Well he's been gone for a week now and his mother and I are worried sick trying to find him." Oishi said with a hint of anger in his voice. "For all the independent spirit in that boy, you'd think he'd call and tell us he was okay!"

"Don't worry about him," Fuji said to calm Oishi down. Sometimes he sounded as if he was everyone's mother. "He's here in Osaka with me and I'll bring him home safely tomorrow."

"Why is he there? How do you know him?" Oishi asked curiously. "I haven't known him for long since I took over as his main doctor not too long ago."

"It was more like I was here, saw him and he recognized me." Fuji chuckled out. "Stop worrying and please tell his mother he's okay. We'll be back tomorrow."

xXx

The Next Day

Ryoma frowned when Fuji told him what he had done while Ryoma was sleeping last night. He didn't like to be presented with a ticket first thing in the morning as a surprise to leave and go home.

"It's best to tell your mother if you have a guaranteed sponsor now." Fuji reminded him with a slight smile.

"But I don't want to go right now yet, I like staying with you," Ryoma said with a slight pout.

Fuji couldn't help but think about how cute Ryoma was being. He just wanted to cuddle with Ryoma and enjoy the moment as well.

"I like you Fuji, a lot." Ryoma clarified without hesitation.

"I—" Fuji paused not knowing what to say. Actually his senses froze. He almost spouted out that he liked him too but that can't be right. He loved Hazuki, he's always loved her.

It was then Fuji realized something scary…. He couldn't clearly see Hazuki anymore.

"Syuusuke"

Fuji started packing.

Ryoma figured he was letting that sink in so he didn't force an answer from Fuji. Not even when Fuji sent him home with a hollow smile he never in the least expected Fuji to never come back again.

A/N: This is Ryoma being himself and Fuji being scared so shall we review so we can see where they are going with this?