There You

There You'll Be

Tachibana An frowned as she descendent the stairs. Usually every morning she would be greeted by her over protective and lovable brother as he sat on the breakfast table waiting for her so they could go to school. Today however in the once warm kitchen of the Tachibana household; the only thing that could be heard was silence. She turned her gaze to the table again with a frown on her face. Her brother was in another world, for he had still not even acknowledged her presence. “Big brother?”

He looked up from the table. He had been sitting in a thinking position his chin resting on his hand as his elbow leaned on the table. A smile automatically touched his lips when he saw his baby sister looking at him concerned. “Good morning, An.”

She walked up to him holding her bag and jacket. She placed them soothingly on the large table that was filled with the usual breakfast things and poured herself a glass of orange juice. “Are you alright?” She asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Big brother?”

He looked at her and stood up. “Don’t worry about me.” He smiled at as he picked up his books and bag. “Let’s go, or we’ll be late.”

An frowned while examining her brother. Something was obviously bothering him, but what? She watched him suspiciously and realized that his hair was growing again and this time he had dyed it blonde. Has he finally been able to forgive himself? She thought to herself as she followed him out unenthusiastically. Her mind flickered trying to recall past months when she and Kippei had left Shishigaku. After accidentally blinding one of the players for his rough play back then; he had not been able to forgive himself for the incident. Also he had tried atoning for his crime by not playing tennis, shaving his head and keeping it black as a reminder.

But that shouldn’t be a problem? The only reason big brother would be like this…she thought, and then she stopped suddenly. Could it be? She looked at her brother who had a grim look on his face as they walked to school. “Did you see her, big brother?” An asked softly.

Her brother stopped. He turned around and looked at her with earnestness. “Who An?”

An narrowed her eyes, “Don’t play dense with me, big brother.” She said exasperated. “You saw , didn’t you?” She accused. “She is the only one who can make you be in this mood.”

He turned around, “You need to walk faster, or we will be late.” He said simply walking ahead of her.

An sighed knowing that she will not be getting any answers.

~~~

In another different school; sighed as she scribbled notes on her notepad. She finally let her pen down and leaned her chin on her arm as she laid it on the desk. She was not going to let it get to her. She was not. She was not. “Argh!” she screamed softly sitting up, “It’s not helping…”

“What’s not helping?” Fuji Syuusuke asked the frustrated third year student as he waltzed into class.

sighed crossing her arms and resting her chin back on them again, “Nothing….” She muttered. “Nothing at all.”

Fuji put one hand gently on her shoulder, “Is it Tachibana?”

She stiffened under his hand and sat up rigidly. “No.” She said coldly as she moved his hand away.

“Deny it to anyone, but me.”

She ignored him.

“Did you by any likelihood run into him?” Fuji asked too sweetly.

She still ignored him.

Fuji sighed and sat on her table, “ ….” He began. “I know it’s been a long time, but does it still hurt?”

stood up abruptly. “I have to go to class, Fuji.” She said softly. “I’ll see you later.” She waved picking up her books.

Fuji sighed.

“What was that about?” Oishi asked coming out of nowhere. Fuji looked at the curious vice captain who had appeared from behind him. “ hasn’t seen herself since yesterday.” He remarked a bit concerned for their classmate. He also worried about her a bit because she used to help around on her free time with their club activities as well.

“She hasn’t really been herself since she moved to Seigaku.” Fuji replied.

Oishi frowned rubbing his jaw as he looked at his teammate. “Is she having trouble keeping up at Seigaku?” he asked, “Or maybe something else?”

Fuji just gave him a smile. “Don’t worry about her, Oishi.” Fuji spoke, “I will make her smile again.” He said walking out of the classroom.

~~~

An was determined. Something was up with her big brother and she needed to know as she walked across Fudomine school grounds. She knows one person might know what happened. And she also knew that whatever incident had occurred, it had happened yesterday. Standing by the tennis court as she crossed her arms; she spotted the familiar person she was looking for. “Kamio-kun!”

The red headed speedster stopped as he heard her voice. In a minute, he was immediately standing in front of her. “An-chan.” He acknowledged her with a smile.

She looked at him with a determined gaze. “Tell me what happened last night with my big brother.”

Kamio blinked, “What?”

“What happened with my big brother when you were at the streets court yesterday?” she asked in a more clear voice.

Kamio looked at her a bit surprised. He scratched his hair, “Nothing out of the ordinary…” he muttered, but then stopped. “Maybe when he saved that gir…” he mumbled. “He did go weird when he saved that girl?” he repeated.

“What girl? What girl?”

“Oh.” He said looking at her, “It went like this…..”

~~~

“Kamio! You’re losing your speed!” Tachibana yelled watching the speedster play a match against Ibu.

“Yes…” Kamio yelled trying to regain his stability while he ran receiving the balls. He was so into it that it took him and everyone else a while when they heard a commotion above them. “They’re noisy.” He muttered stopping next to Tachibana.

“You idiot! I said no!” a girl yelled from top of the stairs by the tennis court.

“It looks like a girl who is in trouble. Why is she yelling like that? Why doesn’t she just say no? Why can’t she just leave the place? Why doesn’t she….”

“IBU!?” Tachibana and Kamio yelled annoyed by all the mumbling.

“You’re such a little slut!” a boy had shouted standing by the girl who was struggling out of his grasp. “You may deserve a little punishment…” he said smirking as he held her wrist and then flicked her away. He hadn’t noticed that when he pushed her, that she lost her footing on the ground and instead of falling onto the floor, she was on top of the stairs going to fall down.

“We have to do something?!” Kamio exclaimed, but to his surprise he saw Tachibana already running towards the girl.

~~~

I’m going to die! I’m going to die!

Those were the only thoughts going in ’s head as she fell towards the staircase. Closing her eyes she awaited the brutal contact of the hard concrete of each step as she fell towards it, but none of that came. She felt something else, but it was strong and warm instead. She opened her eyes and found someone hugging and holding her in place. She didn’t know when they hit the floor, but it was that person who took the impact instead of her. Her eyes widened in realization, “Im sorry! I’m sorry!” she said frantically shaking him as she sat up where he lay on his side. “Are you alr…” she began, but then stopped when she turned him around to face her.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, the realization of who she was hit him as well. “ ?” he asked quietly.

“It’s .” She said coldly.

“Yes.” He replied softly sitting up, but he winced slightly as he felt a sharp pain in his side.

“Kipp…” she began, but stopped herself. “Are you alright, Tachibana-san?” she asked softly.

“I’m fine.” He assured as he stood up. He extended his arm to help her stand up, but she ignored it standing up by herself. “Thank you.” She said softly not looking at him.

Tachibana sighed, “ ….” He began, but then stopped. He didn’t know what to say.

“You don’t have to say anything.” She interrupted turning around. “Have a nice day.”

~~~

“Oh.” An remarked. “She was acting cold?”

“Yes.” Kamio answered. “I got the impression they knew each other.”

An sighed looking at him. “She was his girlfriend at Shishigaku.”

“Woah! Tachibana-san’s girlfriend?!” he exclaimed. “She was pretty cute, but….”

“You have to promise me that you won’t repeat what I tell you.” An told him seriously.

“I’m listening.”

She took a deep breath, “Remember when big brother played against Fuji-san and you asked about his blonde hair?”

Kamio nodded.

“Well, she was also another reason.” An added a remark to her previous statement. “Big brother used to be brutal in his play and when he left Shishigaku he told her that she should find someone else, for he is not good enough for her.”

“But…”

“Don’t interrupt.” She spoke quickly. “Anyway, ignored him and did not take him seriously and demanded to know what happened to the Kippei she knew, but he told her that the Kippei she knew died. And along with it the feelings he had for her.”

“That’s harsh…” Kamio whispered.

“And not only that…” An said softly, “But he did it in front of everyone.”

Kamio whistled.

An frowned. “Big brother does not admit it, but I know he still has feelings for her.” She said softly. She crossed her arms as she let out a sigh. “I’m trying to think if there is something we can do…”

“Are you talking about the recent love dilemma a good friend of mine is going through?”

Both An and Kamio turned to see one of Seigaku’s players standing there. He was the one who smiled all the time. He was the one that people called an ace. Fuji Syuusuke watched them both as he strolled happily towards them. “Fuji-san.” An smiled waving her hand lightly at him as a gesture. “Were you asking about my big brother?” she asked curiously.

“I was asking about .”

An looked surprised. “You know -chan?” she asked.

“ -chan is at my school.” Fuji answered. “In fact she is a good classmate of mine and a friend.” He explained. “So my suspicious were correct; she did run into Tachibana.” He remarked rubbing his jaw lightly.

“Fuji-san, how much do you know about -chan and big brother?” An asked curiously.

“Not sure I know all the details, but I have heard how they broke up or how he broke up the relationship.” Fuji answered. “News does travel fast you know.”

An looked at him sadly. “ -chan used to be a good friend of mine.”

“Used to be?” Fuji asked.

“No…” she shook her head. “It’s not like she’s avoiding me…” she added. “It’s just that she does call me and we do hung out sometimes, but it’s like she’s always making sure big brother is not around.”

“You can’t blame her, can you?” Kamio muttered. He stood there calmly with his head sets rested around his neck as he watched the exchange between the two.

Fuji looked at An and she looked back at him.

~~~

lay down on her bed with a huff and let out a sigh. She crossed her arms behind her head and looked up at her ceiling. A frown placed itself on her lips as she recalled the events of the previous day.

<It’s >

She remembered saying that so coldly to him. She was always kind and gentle towards everyone, but he struck a nerve. How dare he speak to me after embarrassing me like that?! She thought annoyed.

<You don’t have to say anything>

<Have a nice day>

What she had said came back haunting her. Another sigh escaped her lips as she rolled onto her bed and opened the drawer. She moved some books around and finally, at the far end of the drawer, she picked out a shabby worn book and flipped the pages. In it, she took out three pictures.

One was of her and Tachibana An smiling after Shishigaku had scored a victory in one of the tournaments. The second picture was of her and some of the regulars back then. Finally as she looked at the third picture, her heart ached. It was a picture someone took of them when no one had been around. She was grateful that the person put it in her locker. Tachibana was hugging her from the back with his head on her shoulders as she smiled lovingly at him. They were both unaware of the camera that had clicked away at them in their private moment.

A few tears escaped her eyes and she brushed them violently away. As much as she wanted to rip the picture in her hands apart she just couldn’t do it. She moved away from the bed and flipped the picture back into the drawer.

She picked up her jacket and skates and walked out of the room. “I’m going out for a while.” She told her mother as she ran out of the door.

~~~

Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me

A long distance away from where she lived. put on her skates and breathed in the fresh air of her surroundings. She was by a frozen pond in isolate. This was her solitude as she gently put one foot on the ice. “Stable.” She confirmed as she put her other foot down and began skating.

loved skating. She loved the rush of cold air against her face. She loved the way the wind blew through her hair. She loved how every time she skated she felt like she was free. Opening her arms wide while she did a spin she smiled because she felt like she was flying.

was unaware of another person that had broken through her solitude.

Tachibana Kippei sat there under a tree watching her. It was ironic that her solitude place was the same as his. He was already there when he saw her come close to the pond.

He was hidden in the shadows as he watched her. He could tell by her skating that something had upset her. She always came to this pond when she was upset during the winter.

One time she had tried convincing him to skate with her, but he had declined. She even pulled him onto it, but he had only slipped and fell down. That made her smile. He loved it when she smiled.

He let out a sigh as he continued watching her. She was gliding gracefully on the ice like a queen. He watched her do a reverse glide and his eyes narrowed when he realized she was heading towards the other side of the pond. There was a small sign that said “Thin Ice” and she wasn’t paying attention. “ !”

’s head snapped up at the shout as she stopped on the risky zone. Before she could recognize who had shouted her name she heard a crack. “Oh no…” she whispered as she realized she was on thin ice.

“Don’t move.” Tachibana ordered as he ran towards the edge of the pond.

was scared. “Kippei…” she whimpered. “I can’t swim.”

“I know. I know.” Tachibana nodded as he walked cautiously on the pond. The ice was braking slowly and he knew if she stood there longer then she would sooner or later fall into the pond. “Just don’t move.”

hugged herself and the movement caused another crack around her. She wanted to move. She wanted to run. She wanted to break away from this feeling of anxiety, but she knew if she made a reckless move then she would meet the freezing cold water of the pond.

“ .”

She looked to the side and found him standing not very far away. She should’ve scolded him for calling her by her first name, but right now she didn’t mind. She just needed to get out of here. “What do you want me to do?”

“Jump.”

’s eyes widened. “Jump?” she asked looking into his dark eyes. His eyes conveyed a look of worry as he watched her. She had seen that look many times before when they used to go out. Jump was one word, but a terrifying one. She shook her head, “No.”

Tachibana edged closer and he heard another crack. They were going one by one in a hurried pace now. “ I’ll catch you.” He said calmly. “Jump towards me.” He extended his arm to her and held out his hand. “Come on.”

She closed her eyes shaking her head. “No.” she said scared. “If I jump the ice will give away and we’ll both fall.”

“I know how to swim.”

wasn’t expecting that sentence. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He was willing to take the fall with her if she fell. “Kippei….”

“Do it.” He ordered.

took a deep breath in and jumped reaching for his hand. Just as she jumped the ice underneath her feet broke not expecting the sudden weight off it. She grabbed his hand and he pulled her towards him. Tachibana hugged her tightly and fell back almost loosing his footing. For a minute he really thought he was going to fall into the hole that created when she jumped, but they were lucky enough as they fell a short distance from it instead.

It was quiet again. was lying against him as he lay on his back. She moved her head up and noticed that his eyes were closed. “Kippei?” she said worriedly as she shook him lightly. “Kippei?”

“I’m fine.” He murmured. “Just…. Just tired.”

She fell silent

Tachibana moved his hand onto his forehead and sat up. “I have told you a hundred times that you shouldn’t go ice skating on your own at the pond.” He said seriously. “What if you had fallen in and gotten hurt?”

stared at him. He was angry. What right did he have to get angry? “You are the last person who should be concerned about me getting hurt.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t you use ‘excuse me’!” she snapped as she stood up. “If you were so concerned about me getting hurt then you would’ve never…” she almost blurted out, but covered her mouth in an instance.

“Never what?” he questioned as he stood up as well and followed her while she went back to where she kept her stuff. She removed her skates and put her shoes back on. “Never what, ?” Tachibana repeated.

“You would’ve never broken up like that with me, Kippei.” answered quietly. “The breaking up was never a problem because some relationships don’t last, but the way you did it….” she choked as some tears escaped her eyes. “It made me feel like trash and for that I will never forgive you.” She stated running away from him.

He wasn’t even thinking when he ran after her. She was ahead of him, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing her. “ !” he yelled trying to make her slow down, but it seemed that his shouting only made her run faster. "Damnit! Stop!" he yelled grabbing her arm, but that was a huge mistake.

~~~

'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always

An blinked in surprise. She had been walking, minding her own business when two people that she knew found themselves at her feet. Cocking her head to the side as if trying to make sure what she was seeing in front of her was true, she spoke. "Big brother?" she questioned unsure.

Tachibana Kippei had wrapped in his arms and they were both on the floor looking grim. Well looked grim while Tachibana looked obviously embarrassed being caught like that on the street.

"It's not what you think…" mumbled standing up. She dusted her skirt and looked wryly at An.

"Yes." An agreed softly. "Big brother is not the type…"

Tachibana stood up and fixed his jacket. "I was just trying to stop her from running." He explained.

"That reminds me…" began starting to move away from them, but he held her wrist and stopped her. "No, ." He said sternly. "We're going to talk like adults."

shrugged his hand off. "No." She said quivering. "We do not need to talk.' She declared. "There is nothing more for us to say."

An looked at her brother then at . "Please, stop it both of you." She said softly. "You're both hurting so much." She admitted. "It's clear that you love each other so much."

"Love doesn’t exist in our age." snapped.

An looked surprised. "That's not true." She replied. "I have seen you and big brother with each other." She explained. "When you two are together, you're in your own world."

Tachibana rubbed the back of his head quietly while looked down.

An looked at them both and added, "I don't know what's stopping you…"

"You're right." interrupted An. "I may be contradicting myself when you hear me say this." She admitted looking at Tachibana. stood in front of him. "I love you so much, Kippei." She smiled sadly. "It still hurts."

An smiled.

Tachibana looked at her with an aching heart. " …" he began as he held her hand tenderly.

"But you're never going to hear that again from me, Kippei." said with tears rolling down her eyes. She had decided that this is the best thing for her to do. "I am never going to forgive you for hurting me." She whispered rubbing her tears with the back of her free hand. "It will take me a long time till I get over you, but I will eventually." She said firmly. This decision will hurt me, but I can never go back to someone who did that to me, even if I love him so much….

An looked shocked.

Even Tachibana was dead stunned.

"So…" She said softly leaning towards him. "Goodbye." She said kissing his cheek lightly and with that she walked away.

An wanted to run after her, but he stopped her. "Let her go, An." He said seriously.

"But…"

"I know you want it, An." He answered quietly. "She is a memory that I will always cherish." He said softly turning around and walking the opposite direction of .

"Big brother…" she began, but he was gone. An looked at the direction left as well and let out a sigh. All of a sudden the thrill she felt that morning drained out of her and she was worn out now. Her heart ached for her brother and former best friend.

She hoped that somehow that they would both find love again…

~~~

"How do you feel?" Fuji asked .

She was silent for a minute, but then looked at him. "Not bad." She admitted. "It hurts, but I'll get by it."

Fuji smiled at her. "I'll help you."

She looked at him and nodded. "Thank you, Fuji…" she said softly.

~~~

DeVeliCious

Edited by Kashii

Full Song -- "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill:

When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me

[Chorus:]
In my dreams
I'll always see your soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be

Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me

[Repeat chorus]

'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always

[Repeat chorus]