Fic: Shatter (Prince of Tennis, Inui/Shinji, challenge #9)
Shatter
By: Liz
Pairing: Inui/Shinji
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Theme: #9. dash
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. I do not claim to own them, and I am not making any profit off of this. This is just fun in a fandom I enjoy. If you want to sue me for all I’m worth…please do! You’re welcome to my student loans and other bills.
Rating: R
Notes: This takes place contiguous with and just after Ice. Time to see Inui’s POV and just what was really happening.
Previous parts can be found here.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inui was smiling some as he scribbled down some calculations on the paper in front of him. “Tomorrow or the next day, this project should be over with,” he said. “And I’ll be glad to see the last of it.”
“I think I agree with you, Sadaharu,” said Renji, sitting next to him, looking over Inui’s shoulder at their work. “This has been very tiring, to say the least. You made a mistake right there.” Leaning over Inui, Renji tapped a place on the paper.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Inui erased the number and put the correct one in. “My mind isn’t all here, I’m afraid.”
“Soon, Sadaharu.” Renji smiled a little. “Then you can have your life back…until the next project, anyway.”
“I just wish that a meteorology project didn’t mean so much time just…sitting and staring.” Inui sighed a little. “At least it never rained, though that might’ve made the data more exciting.”
“Data is data. I don’t think it cares if it is exciting or not,” Renji pointed out, moving a little closer to Inui. “Is the breeze picking up?”
“I think so, better-no!” Inui made a grab for some papers that blew off of his lap and behind him. “Tell me that they didn’t go far?”
“They didn’t,” Renji confirmed, looking over his shoulder. “Just into the bush…hold on to the rest, and I’ll get those.” Moving carefully, Renji kneeled up on the bench and moved over Inui, reaching into the bush behind them.
Inui had to fight hard not to blush at the new proximity of their bodies. Good thing that Shinji isn’t here to see this…
“Almost…have them all….” Above him, Renji was straining to reach a paper just beyond his reach. Grasping the corner of it, Renji was about to proclaim his victory, when he slipped and was sent sprawling over Inui, knocking the air out of them both.
Inui just panted for a second, as he had caught Renji’s knee in his stomach when Renji went down. “Good thing I was here to break your fall.”
“What breaking? You’re so bony that I think falling on the ground may have been softer.”
Inui had to grin at that, though the grin faded a little as Renji moved closer to him, rather than farther away. “Renji…?”
“I know we’re different people now, Sadaharu, than we used to be. You have someone you care about, and I’m happy for you, and I have someone that I want. We can never be, but I need to do this, otherwise I’ll be wondering all of my life….” Renji leaned closer and lightly kissed Inui, then pulled back.
“Well…I guess that you don’t have to wonder anymore, Renji,” was all that Inui could say as he moved Renji off of him. Honestly, the kiss had left him feeling more than a little cold, and as he was looking for the nicest way to tell Renji this, a black and purple blur caught his eye. “Shinji?”
Shinji ignored Inui though, going straight for Renji. Inui thought he saw a glimpse of fear in Renji’s eyes just before Shinji hauled back and punched Renji sending him flat back onto the ground.
“Shinji!” Inui was floored as he jumped up and slipped between the seething Shinji and Renji, trying to keep Shinji’s attention on him. I didn’t know that Shinji could hit like that…. “What-why did you do that to Renji?” Inui paled a little as a thought crossed his mind. He didn’t see…did he?
“Why?” Shinji’s glare was ice and glass, and it cut Inui to the bone. “Do you think I’m stupid, Inui? I’ve seen you with him, for almost a week now…a project, sure. Did you have to bring your new boyfriend to our spot?”
Inui winced at the pain in Shinji’s words. Boyfriend?! He can’t think that…. “Shinji, it’s not like that-” he tried to explain.
Shinji talked right over him, though, seemingly determined to get it all out. “Renji, so that’s his name. Does he kiss as good as I do? Does he make you happier? Why didn’t you just tell me that you wanted someone else? Why the lying?”
Inui realized just then how deeply this was hurting Shinji, and he felt more guilt then than he had ever thought possible. “I shouldn’t have kept this from you, true, but it’s not what you think it is.”
“Inui.” Inui flinched as he realized that Shinji was calling by his family name, like they barely meant anything to each other. No! I’m Sadaharu, damn it! Don’t call me that! “What was it, then? You were touching him so much…please, tell me what you were doing with him. Tell me why you had to hide it.” Shinji crossed his arms and looked at Inui, making Inui feel like Shinji was demanding an answer with his eyes.
“We were really working on a project. Renji…he’s an old friend. Please, Shinji, I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, but….” Why did I lie to you? Why didn’t I just tell you why I was bringing someone else here? Why didn’t I insist on a spot that wasn’t ours? Suddenly, Inui was putting together the pieces that he thought Shinji was, and he could see why Shinji was so coldly furious.
“But you did. Inui…how can I trust you?”
Because you can! Because I care about you-I love you so much, and it’s hurting me to know that I hurt you…. “Please, Shinji!” Inui grabbed Shinji’s shoulders and pulled him closer, desperate to convince Shinji of his sincerity. “I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t what you think, and I’m so sorry, please forgive me!” I feel like I might die if you don’t…
“You kissed him, Inui.” Shinji’s voice sounded so empty to Inui, like something in Shinji had died. “With the same lips that kissed me, that told me that you didn’t want anyone else, you kissed him. And you’ve been lying to me….” Shinji sighed. “I can’t. It’s over, Inui. We’re over.”
NO! “Shinji, please, don’t-”
Inui stopped as Shinji forcibly pulled away from him. “Congratulations, Inui. You were my first kiss, my first boyfriend…and the cause of my first broken heart. I hope it was worth it for you.” He turned away from Inui.
“Shinji, no! Please…I never…it wasn’t…it’s you that I care about!” But Shinji didn’t turn around, didn’t even acknowledge Inui’s words as he kept walking away from Inui, back ramrod-straight as if he was trying not to break, but not quite succeeding. I…broke him….
Inui fell to his knees, pulling off his glasses to wipe at his eyes. How…did this happen? A couple words not said, a couple actions misinterpreted, and suddenly, everything is lost….
“Sadaharu.” Inui felt Renji’s hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Sadaharu. If I had know he was there, I never would’ve….”
“No.” Inui sighed and cleared his throat, feeling like there was a boulder caught in it. “It’s just as much my fault. I never told Shinji what we were doing, and where…this is our spot, did you know that? So much happened here.” He pointed to a clearing just off to the side. “Our first kiss was over there. On this bench, we became official, agreed that we were the only ones we wanted to see….” He choked. “What happened, Renji?”
“You love him…and I think that he loves you, for him to have been that hurt over it…and that motivated to punch.” Ruefully, Renji rubbed the forming bruise on his jaw, and Inui couldn’t help but feel a bit of glee that Shinji had managed to hurt Renji like that. “What do you want, Sadaharu? Are you content to just let it go like this? Are you willing to let Ibu go forever?”
“No….”
“Then go after him. Go and explain himself, and make him listen to you.” Renji smiled a little. “There’s a 63% chance that he will listen to you once he calms down a little. I don’t think he wants to let go so easily, either.”
“This better not be the one time that your data is wrong, Renji.” Slowly, Inui got back to his feet and gazed off into the distance in the direction that Shinji had taken off in.
“It’s not. Go on, Sadaharu. I’ll take care of the project and your things. Just get your boyfriend back.”
“Thank you, Renji.” Inui tried to smile, then gave up and took off running after Shinji, running faster than he ever had in his life…because nothing else had ever been more important.
As he ran, Inui thought about Shinji-their dates, their kisses, just being with Shinji and how…warm it made Inui feel. He wouldn’t-no, he couldn’t go through any more of his life without that feeling.
I’m going to find you, Shinji. I’m going to find you and sit you down and make you believe me…and believe how much I love you. I should’ve told you that long before now, should’ve told you so much…and now we’re both paying the price
Inui kept running.
--The End--
By: Liz
Pairing: Inui/Shinji
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Theme: #9. dash
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. I do not claim to own them, and I am not making any profit off of this. This is just fun in a fandom I enjoy. If you want to sue me for all I’m worth…please do! You’re welcome to my student loans and other bills.
Rating: R
Notes: This takes place contiguous with and just after Ice. Time to see Inui’s POV and just what was really happening.
Previous parts can be found here.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inui was smiling some as he scribbled down some calculations on the paper in front of him. “Tomorrow or the next day, this project should be over with,” he said. “And I’ll be glad to see the last of it.”
“I think I agree with you, Sadaharu,” said Renji, sitting next to him, looking over Inui’s shoulder at their work. “This has been very tiring, to say the least. You made a mistake right there.” Leaning over Inui, Renji tapped a place on the paper.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Inui erased the number and put the correct one in. “My mind isn’t all here, I’m afraid.”
“Soon, Sadaharu.” Renji smiled a little. “Then you can have your life back…until the next project, anyway.”
“I just wish that a meteorology project didn’t mean so much time just…sitting and staring.” Inui sighed a little. “At least it never rained, though that might’ve made the data more exciting.”
“Data is data. I don’t think it cares if it is exciting or not,” Renji pointed out, moving a little closer to Inui. “Is the breeze picking up?”
“I think so, better-no!” Inui made a grab for some papers that blew off of his lap and behind him. “Tell me that they didn’t go far?”
“They didn’t,” Renji confirmed, looking over his shoulder. “Just into the bush…hold on to the rest, and I’ll get those.” Moving carefully, Renji kneeled up on the bench and moved over Inui, reaching into the bush behind them.
Inui had to fight hard not to blush at the new proximity of their bodies. Good thing that Shinji isn’t here to see this…
“Almost…have them all….” Above him, Renji was straining to reach a paper just beyond his reach. Grasping the corner of it, Renji was about to proclaim his victory, when he slipped and was sent sprawling over Inui, knocking the air out of them both.
Inui just panted for a second, as he had caught Renji’s knee in his stomach when Renji went down. “Good thing I was here to break your fall.”
“What breaking? You’re so bony that I think falling on the ground may have been softer.”
Inui had to grin at that, though the grin faded a little as Renji moved closer to him, rather than farther away. “Renji…?”
“I know we’re different people now, Sadaharu, than we used to be. You have someone you care about, and I’m happy for you, and I have someone that I want. We can never be, but I need to do this, otherwise I’ll be wondering all of my life….” Renji leaned closer and lightly kissed Inui, then pulled back.
“Well…I guess that you don’t have to wonder anymore, Renji,” was all that Inui could say as he moved Renji off of him. Honestly, the kiss had left him feeling more than a little cold, and as he was looking for the nicest way to tell Renji this, a black and purple blur caught his eye. “Shinji?”
Shinji ignored Inui though, going straight for Renji. Inui thought he saw a glimpse of fear in Renji’s eyes just before Shinji hauled back and punched Renji sending him flat back onto the ground.
“Shinji!” Inui was floored as he jumped up and slipped between the seething Shinji and Renji, trying to keep Shinji’s attention on him. I didn’t know that Shinji could hit like that…. “What-why did you do that to Renji?” Inui paled a little as a thought crossed his mind. He didn’t see…did he?
“Why?” Shinji’s glare was ice and glass, and it cut Inui to the bone. “Do you think I’m stupid, Inui? I’ve seen you with him, for almost a week now…a project, sure. Did you have to bring your new boyfriend to our spot?”
Inui winced at the pain in Shinji’s words. Boyfriend?! He can’t think that…. “Shinji, it’s not like that-” he tried to explain.
Shinji talked right over him, though, seemingly determined to get it all out. “Renji, so that’s his name. Does he kiss as good as I do? Does he make you happier? Why didn’t you just tell me that you wanted someone else? Why the lying?”
Inui realized just then how deeply this was hurting Shinji, and he felt more guilt then than he had ever thought possible. “I shouldn’t have kept this from you, true, but it’s not what you think it is.”
“Inui.” Inui flinched as he realized that Shinji was calling by his family name, like they barely meant anything to each other. No! I’m Sadaharu, damn it! Don’t call me that! “What was it, then? You were touching him so much…please, tell me what you were doing with him. Tell me why you had to hide it.” Shinji crossed his arms and looked at Inui, making Inui feel like Shinji was demanding an answer with his eyes.
“We were really working on a project. Renji…he’s an old friend. Please, Shinji, I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, but….” Why did I lie to you? Why didn’t I just tell you why I was bringing someone else here? Why didn’t I insist on a spot that wasn’t ours? Suddenly, Inui was putting together the pieces that he thought Shinji was, and he could see why Shinji was so coldly furious.
“But you did. Inui…how can I trust you?”
Because you can! Because I care about you-I love you so much, and it’s hurting me to know that I hurt you…. “Please, Shinji!” Inui grabbed Shinji’s shoulders and pulled him closer, desperate to convince Shinji of his sincerity. “I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t what you think, and I’m so sorry, please forgive me!” I feel like I might die if you don’t…
“You kissed him, Inui.” Shinji’s voice sounded so empty to Inui, like something in Shinji had died. “With the same lips that kissed me, that told me that you didn’t want anyone else, you kissed him. And you’ve been lying to me….” Shinji sighed. “I can’t. It’s over, Inui. We’re over.”
NO! “Shinji, please, don’t-”
Inui stopped as Shinji forcibly pulled away from him. “Congratulations, Inui. You were my first kiss, my first boyfriend…and the cause of my first broken heart. I hope it was worth it for you.” He turned away from Inui.
“Shinji, no! Please…I never…it wasn’t…it’s you that I care about!” But Shinji didn’t turn around, didn’t even acknowledge Inui’s words as he kept walking away from Inui, back ramrod-straight as if he was trying not to break, but not quite succeeding. I…broke him….
Inui fell to his knees, pulling off his glasses to wipe at his eyes. How…did this happen? A couple words not said, a couple actions misinterpreted, and suddenly, everything is lost….
“Sadaharu.” Inui felt Renji’s hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Sadaharu. If I had know he was there, I never would’ve….”
“No.” Inui sighed and cleared his throat, feeling like there was a boulder caught in it. “It’s just as much my fault. I never told Shinji what we were doing, and where…this is our spot, did you know that? So much happened here.” He pointed to a clearing just off to the side. “Our first kiss was over there. On this bench, we became official, agreed that we were the only ones we wanted to see….” He choked. “What happened, Renji?”
“You love him…and I think that he loves you, for him to have been that hurt over it…and that motivated to punch.” Ruefully, Renji rubbed the forming bruise on his jaw, and Inui couldn’t help but feel a bit of glee that Shinji had managed to hurt Renji like that. “What do you want, Sadaharu? Are you content to just let it go like this? Are you willing to let Ibu go forever?”
“No….”
“Then go after him. Go and explain himself, and make him listen to you.” Renji smiled a little. “There’s a 63% chance that he will listen to you once he calms down a little. I don’t think he wants to let go so easily, either.”
“This better not be the one time that your data is wrong, Renji.” Slowly, Inui got back to his feet and gazed off into the distance in the direction that Shinji had taken off in.
“It’s not. Go on, Sadaharu. I’ll take care of the project and your things. Just get your boyfriend back.”
“Thank you, Renji.” Inui tried to smile, then gave up and took off running after Shinji, running faster than he ever had in his life…because nothing else had ever been more important.
As he ran, Inui thought about Shinji-their dates, their kisses, just being with Shinji and how…warm it made Inui feel. He wouldn’t-no, he couldn’t go through any more of his life without that feeling.
I’m going to find you, Shinji. I’m going to find you and sit you down and make you believe me…and believe how much I love you. I should’ve told you that long before now, should’ve told you so much…and now we’re both paying the price
Inui kept running.
--The End--