Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis belongs to Takeshi Konomi

Companion to Beacon. Set six years previous.

Awakening

He pulled his tennis shoes on slowly, glum about the day. Today was the first day of school at Seishun Gakuen. A new year, another chance at hell. There was a time when he looked forward to a new school year; the excitement of getting to meet new friends, do new things and being carefree. Yeah, those were the days. No longer. Now his days consisted of worried glances, lies and nightmares. Maybe school would be paradise, at least, he could get away from his family's anxiety, their constant need to see and touch him every five minutes, the realization that he was the cause of it gradually, painstakingly falling apart. Yeah, suppressing the urge to snarl and hurt all the students carelessly parading in front of him yelling bite me, that was so much better. He got up from the floor and grabbed his book bag, heading out his bedroom door.

Only to run into his older sister on the other side. She looked nervously at him before turning to the wall. Let out a short, weak giggle.

"Kaa-san said breakfast is ready."

There were a few awkward minutes as they stared at each other, before his sister headed down the stairs. Glumly, he followed her. The kitchen smelled of fresh made eggs and toast, a bowl of rice already on the table with orange juice. Kaa-san stood by the table nervously fingering her skirt. She kept sending him nervous glances. His sister took her seat at the table with his other siblings. They all reacted to his presence differently: two refused to look at him, one peeked from under their bangs, and three of them gave the pitying stares he hated. At first, he just stood there bag on his shoulder ready to go, but as he shook his head and motioned to leave Kaa-san stopped him.

"No, Eiji. There is no way you're going to school alone, Taichi will walk with you. Now sit down and eat breakfast."

He frowned at her, shaking his head pointing to the door. She continued to eye him steely, until he relented and sat at the table. He didn't touch a speck of the food though, opting to watch his siblings instead. Awkward silence enveloped the table as his siblings threw glances between him and his mother. Her stare only became harder.

"Eiji you need to eat something or you'll pass out like earlier this summer! This is your first day at a new school sweetheart, try and make a good impression on your first day."

He picked up the orange juice and sipped at it, not bothering to hide his frown. The acidic, overly sweet taste burned his tongue.

"Now, I want you to take this piece of paper with you: it's the slip explaining everything to your teachers so they don't think you're being impertinent. I already got the principal's approval for it, so they can't make a fuss over it, okay?" She didn't wait a moment for him to nod his head. "I'm sending this cell phone with you so you can call me if anything happens…anything…"

Taichi's snort filled the air. Eiji looked at him as Kaa-san's glare hit him.

"What was that for?"

Taichi looked straight at her.

"How exactly is he supposed to use it? In case you've forgotten- he doesn't talk. Ever."

Everyone stopped moving to look at Taichi. Great. Another fight, guess it was a new day already.

"But he can, and I'm sure if he needs to, he will. Now I don't want you sayi-"

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Eiji got up from his chair and threw his bag back over his shoulder, running to the door. He reached the door and struggled to open the latches throwing it open. Fuji stood there smiling at him nonchalantly.

"Bad morning?"

Eiji nodded moving to step over the threshold. Only to be caught, stumbling backward as Kaa-san tugged forcefully back on his shirt collar. He glowered. Yes, it was a very bad morning indeed. Why did he have a sneaking feeling Fuji was struggling to choke back a laugh.

"Eiji! Where do you think you are going?! I already told you Taichi will walk you to school today."

Thank Kami-sama for Fuji.

Ahem.

" Hello Kikumaru-san. "

Kaa-san glanced down at Fuji surprised. In her rush to catch Eiji she hadn't noticed he was standing there. She'd forgotten the doorbell had rung.

"Hello Fuji-kun. What are you doing here?"

Fuji just smiled innocently up at her. How did he do that? Maybe I'll teach you. Seems as if you need it. Eiji glared at Fuji. Stop reading my mind. Jerk. Fuji's smile widened.

"I was thinking Eiji could come to school with me today. If you are okay with that Kikumaru-san?"

Kaa-san stared at Fuji for a few moments before looking down worriedly at Eiji. She bit her lip, debating.

"I'm sorry Fuji-kun, but I would prefer Eiji walked with his brother. I don't feel comfortable with boys your age walking around, but if you would like to wait and walk with Eiji and Taichi that would be fine."

Eiji rolled his eyes. He knew she was trying to be less overprotective, less suffocating, and he knew it how difficult was for her just to let him go to school, but he was getting impatient with waiting. Fuji opened his eyes noting his friend's distress.

"Oh, I wasn't suggesting we walk Kikumaru-san. Actually, I wanted to know if Eiji could ride with us, but it's okay if you say no. I'll just go ask Nee-san if I can walk with Eiji and Taichi-kun. My parents don't think it's a good idea to walk alone either."

He gave her saucer filled expectant eyes. Her eyes widened at the mention of his sister and 'ride'. She glanced back towards the kitchen then at the two children in front of her before sticking her head out to catch sight of Yumiko. Eiji began to feel a speck of hope.

"Your sister drove you?"

"Hai. She thought it'd be a good idea if we asked Eiji to come too."

Kaa-san pondered for a moment. Eiji knew she trusted the Fuji family. She sighed.

"Well, if it doesn't bother your sister, I guess it would be alright. For today."

The eyes never fail me. So you say, but she still only agreed to this morning. Saaa, such impatience we have grasshopper. Shut up. Fuji's grin increased nodding very quickly.

"Alright! I was afraid I'd have to in by myself. It's always so scary to enter a new school where you don't know anyone. Thanks Kikumaru-san! Nee-san wanted me to tell you she can drop us after school because she has to pick Yuuta up anyway. If you don't mind."

"That would be a relief actually. Taichi has soccer club after school so he would have had to miss to walk Eiji home. Tell her I would really appreciate it."

That explains why he was so mad. Ruining my siblings lives. Great. Stop it with the pity trip. If you go emo I'm making you cross dress. Eiji put his mouth in a firm line. Tell me that when you've been cooped up in here with five hovering, mother hens worried you'll break at the slightest breeze and three people who can't even look at you and refer to in third person when in the same room as you! You need a break. Good thing they're letting you attend school again. You're mean.

"I'll do that Kikumaru-san! C'mon let's go or we'll be late!"

Fuji tugged on Eiji's arm.

"Wait! Take the note with you Eiji!"

His mother tucked the piece of paper and cell phone into his bag. Kissing him firmly on his cheek, much to his embarrassment, before letting him and Fuji run off to the car. They quickly opened the door and climbed in the back seat, as Yumiko waved to his mother who watched as they drove away.

"Hi Eiji! How are you?"

"Fine thanks to you.'"

He gave Yumiko a weak smile and she grinned back.

"Don't be so hard on your family Eiji. They love you, and they miss you. If you could just talk to them things would gradually get better."

"Maybe. But I can't."

Yumiko eyed him empathetically. Fuji just poked him.

"Hey, what did I say about being emo. Anyways, would it be weird if I told you she wants there to be an emergency just so you can call her."

Eiji frowned. As if that'd make a difference. Taichi was right.

"Shusuke! What did Tou-san and Kaa-san tell you about reading other people's minds?! You're going to get sent to the elder's for lessons if you keep this up!"

Eiji rolled his eyes. A half smile on his lips. Fuji just pouted.

"You wouldn't believe what else he's doing Yumiko-chan. He was doing the eye trick to Kaa-san earlier too!"

"Shusuke!"

"She wasn't going to let him go otherwise Nee-san! I had to!"

"Fine. But I don't want to find out you've been doing that at school."

Eiji glanced at Fuji glaring at him. He knew was going to be pranked later. Ugh the rigors of being friends with a sadist.

"Well, at least that was the first non emo thing you've done this morning."

Eiji rolled his eyes. Maybe he was being emo. He needed to get away for a while. Yumiko grinned in the mirror. She pulled over in a parking lot. Rummaging around in a bad she pulled out two plastic pouches filled with crimson liquid.

"This is for you two. It's the first day of school, and I know how hard it will be to stay in control with so many strangers."

Eiji and Fuji grabbed the pouches she offered, and tore into them. For Eiji he was desperate to get rid of the lingering taste of orange juice. Fuji was never shy about anything. When they were finished drinking they wiped their mouths with the handkerchiefs she offered them, before handing them back to her to dispose of. When she finished she started the car, and drove out of the parking lot.

"Now if you have any, any problems Eiji, tell Shusuke so he can help you. If you're anxious, injured, hungry, or hear things. Shusuke can help you, and if he can't I can. Don't worry about how you're going to get to and from school, I'll talk to your parent's and see if I can get them to agree to let me take you from now on. Both of you- make sure you don't overreact if any blood is spilled. Back away and let the other student's handle it. Okay?"

She stared at them both through the mirror, eyes unreadable with her sunglasses on. Yumiko never said anything that was unnecessary though. Fuji and he exchanged looks.

"Hai"

The spoke simultaneously as Yumiko nodded reassured. With that they continued their drive to Seigaku.


Bold- Telepathy

Italics- Thinking

Awakening is the prequel of sort's to Beacon. It is its own separate story though. It explains some of the current details in Beacon concerning Eiji. Like Beacon it is an AU. It takes place when all the seniors are in their first year of junior high. Beacon takes place in Ryoma's first year of high school. Eiji might be OOC for the first half of this fic relating to things that have happened to him, and how he eventually is able to become himself again. So far I'm really happy with this fic. Next chapter: The First Day.

On another note: Beacon will be updated again sometime this month.

Please continue reading,

False Sourires