Prince of Tennis – You Are Everyone's Friend
Disc. : I DO NOT own Prince of Tennis and any of its characters.
"All right everyone, it's enough for today!" Ryuuzaki-sensei shouted from the outside of the courts. "Don't forget the day after, we're having the Kantou Tournament and we're going to face Hyoutei! Don't let your guard down!"
"The regulars, dismiss!" said Tezuka. "The rest of the team clean up the balls around!"
"Yeeessssss!" the regulars and the team shouted back in unison.
"Hey, it was Buchou's quote huh," whispered Momo to Echizen who ignored him, "I'm going home…"
"Ochibiiiiii!" the red-haired, cheerful and full-spirited figure of Eiji Kikumaru yelled and jumped over, hugging Echizen. Echizen coughed and gasped, gulping for the air, "Kikumaru-senpai… let me go… I can't… breath…"
"Eiji, let him go!" Oishi ran towards them in worried, seeing Echizen's blue face.
"Huh? Unyaaaa… sorry, Ochibi!" Eiji bounced back, shaking his junior's shoulders. "Are you okay, Ochibi?"
"I'll be okay if you let me go…" Echizen growled under his breath, "mada mada dane."
"Come on, Ochibi! I'll owe you one hamburger, right? Come!" Eiji grinned, rushed to the club room. Tezuka and Fuji had already inside the room, changing into their school's uniform.
"No," Echizen grumbled. "I'm just going home."
"I'm coming too, Eiji-senpai!" Momo shouted behind them, entering the room.
"Okay, but I do not owe you!"
Momo pouted, "Aww Eiji-senpai, it's very mean of you! I'm your junior too right!"
"Then don't come with me," Eiji tipped his tongue out. "Get hurry will ya, Ochibi?"
"It's ok Kikumaru-senpai, I'm just going home. You can go with Momo-senpai instead."
"Great, Echizen!" Momo straddled him across Echizen's shoulder while ruffling up his dark-greenish messy hair. "See, Eiji-senpai? Then pay me off!"
"No!"
The rest of the regulars, except Tezuka (who only slightly sighed), smiled. "What a very easy going of them, hm?" Fuji said, still smiling. "Alright then, I'm going too."
"Ah! Me too!" said Oishi quickly, suddenly felt worry flew over his mind. Eiji jumped again and hugged his lovely doubles partner, "This is going to be fun, nya! Tezuka, why don't you come too?"
"No." Tezuka said firmly. "Alright then, until tomorrow. Afternoon, all. Be careful on your way, and don't let your guard down."
"Ah, you too, Tezuka," said Oishi. Tezuka stepped out with Inui and Kaido, followed by Kawamura who waved to them.
"Then shall we go too, hm?" asked Fuji, smiling over again.
"Afternoon, all." Echizen tugged his cap down and stepped out too.
"Ah no, wait Ochibi! You're going with us!" shouted Eiji. Momo grabbed Echizen's back collar and dragged him into his hands, "Right Echizen! A little fun with your friends is necessary you know?"
"Not really." Come his reluctant answer.
"Ah, come on Echizen…"
"Nah, there's his old poker face again Ochibi, nya!"
"Senpai…"
Finally, Echizen found himself ended up with Eiji, Momo, Oishi and Fuji. He snarled to Eiji who was still hugging him around, "Will you let me go, Kikumaru-senpai?! You are very heavy you know!"
"Ochibi, you are so mean! I am your senpai!" Eiji answered back. Fuji laughed, "You make him lack of air, Eijiko."
"What, you too Fujiko!" Eiji murmured. "Oishi, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, don't worry," said Oishi, smiled. The fact is, he wasn't. He felt something in the pit his stomach that made him heavy and uneasy. Is something bad going to happen? He thought. Well I hope no… then what is this feeling?
"Are you sure, Oishi-senpai?" asked Momo.
"Yes, Momo, I'm fine. Ah look, here we are!" Oishi pointed at the hamburger restaurant they often dropped by. Eiji pushed the door and walked in followed by his comrades. They chose the table near by the window.
"I'll take the order," said Fuji. "So, everyone?" he pretended to be a waitress, holding an imaginary pen and paper, smiling.
"Get me one big meat-cheese floating!" said Momo cheerfully.
"Aaahh Momo, you sure get the good one! Alright Fuji-san… take me one big-cheese mayonnaise with chichken and tuna fillet!" said Eiji.
"Whoa Eiji-senpai, great!" Momo grinned.
"So, Oishi? What will you pick?" asked Fuji to Oishi.
"Ah… I want one cheese burger," Oishi stated.
"And you, Echizen?" Fuji demanded.
"The same one with Oishi-senpai." Echizen muttered nonchalantly.
"Alright, I'll go for the orders everyone," Fuji bowed, still smiling, heading towards to the counter in order to get their orders.
"Echizen… are you alright?" asked Oishi suddenly, looked worried.
"I'm fine Oishi-senpai," Echizen replied back, bewildered. "What… what's wrong?"
"No… I'm just thinking you're quite strange today, Echizen," said Oishi slowly, embarassed.
"I'm fine Oishi-senpai." Echizen could not held his smirk again.
"What is it that Ochibi was strange? Well, he's always, anyway!" Eiji boomed.
"You're really very quiet today, Echizen," said Oishi again, his motherhen came again all over his mind. "I know you were supposed to, but today is not the same one. You didn't utter even a single word during practices today..."
"It's a waste of breathe, Oishi-senpai," Echizen answered incredulously. Momo and Eiji burst into laughter.
"Echizen…" Oishi looked torn between laughter and desperation.
"Here we are." Fuji reappeared, bringing the tray of their orders.
"Wow Eiji-senpai, yours is looked awesome! I want a bite!" Momo reached out his hand to Eiji's burger.
"No way Momo, you ARE NOT!" Eiji bellowed, jumping back from his chair.
"Momoshiro! Eiji! Stop it, people are starting to stare at us!" said Oishi. Fuji was all smiling.
"…. Mada mada dane." Echizen sighed as he reached out his bag and stood up, "Thanks Kikumaru-senpai. I will be leaving now. Afternoon all."
"Ah wait, Ochibi!" said Eiji, but Echizen had vanished by the door. Oishi looked concern, "I know something is wrong with him! Ah, should I follow him home? I'm really worried!"
"Nah, he's probably just sleepy, that kid, Oishi-senpai," Momo laughed it off.
"But…"
"If you're really worried about him, then I will go with you, Oishi," said Fuji, surprisingly, his eyes opened.
"Fuji…"
"Me too! Wait, Fujiko!"
"Oooiiii senpai! We haven't paid the bills yet!" Momo yelled. All of the people inside now stared at them, giggling and laughing.
"Ah… you're right!" Oishi blushed pink, Fuji smiled again.
"Come on then. We were supposed to take away if so," said Fuji.
(Echizen's POV)
I walked on the side street while eating my burger. Hm, it does taste good. That's why Momo-senpai and I always liked to drop by at the restaurant. Within three more bites, I ended up my burger.
My thought drifted back to Oishi-senpai's words. I know that something is wrong with me, I can't tell why. I just… felt like I was in the other world, separated from my body and the others. I felt that my body was very light. I know I'm quite small, but it was not what I mean. It's different.
I sighed and continued to walk again, my mind flew over everywhere. Then I saw this little boy, this stupid kid, playing with his ball. Then, his little ball bounced over to middle of the street, and he chased after it.
Stupid kid, I thought and sighed. What the hell is he thinking he doing huh?
My eyes drifted through the way. His mother wasn't there at all. Women started screaming. I sighed again. I dropped my bag, and ran for the kid, hoping I'll make it through the across street.
A car in a high speed suddenly rushed straight to the kid. Damn it, I thought, I did not expect that the kid this hag gone far enough from the side street! With all the strength I have, I jumped over to reach the kid. Then I noticed: no. I won't make it. Me, or that kid.
I pushed the kid away from the car and I tried to jump away, but it seemed that I failed. I felt a sudden pain stabbed all over my body, a constant pain. My cap flew away when I fell to the street, I felt my shirt soaked in… I don't know, blood? Everything went to black slowly, I was so tired, I only wanted to sleep…
And I remembered no more.
(Fuji's POV)
We were all by the corner of the side street when Eiji shouted, his voice was shaking, "OCHIBI!" and then he ran over to the street ahead. I saw a crowd of people circling a spot, police and ambulance were there too. I opened my eyes in fear, realizing Eiji's word, 'Ochibi'. Then it was… Echizen?
"Wait, Eiji!" Oishi yelled and ran after his doubles partner, followed by me and Momoshiro.
Eiji pushed through the crowd and he froze, screaming, "NO! RYOMA!" it's strange for him for calling Echizen with 'Ryoma'. I followed him and what I saw would never be forgotten in my head.
Echizen Ryoma, our little prodigy, was lying on the street in a pool of his own blood. His eyes were closed. I heard a woman's voice crying out, "It was all my mistake! If did take a care look of my boy, this wouldn't be happen! Oh, God… I'm so sorry! He saved my kid! He was the only one on the street who saved my kid, my boy!"
Oishi's mouth opened in fear. Slowly, he said, "Momoshiro… call Tezuka and Echizen's family. Right now."
Momoshiro slowly reached his pocket and dialed Tezuka and Echizen's family number, but his hands were trembling so bad. I touched his shoulder and took his phone, "Let me do it."
I stepped away from the crowd and dialed Echizen's family number first.
"Hello?" a soft voice of girl spoke.
"Ah, Nanako-san?" I realized her gentle voice. "This is Fuji speaking, Echizen's tennis team mate."
"Ah, it's Fuji-kun," said Nanako. "What's wrong?"
I sighed and took a deep breath. "Nanako-san, please be strong enough. Echizen got a car accident."
Silent fell for a moment and she whispered, "What…?"
"He got hit by a car," I repeated calmly. "Please wait for a moment." I looked at Oishi and asked, "Which hospital Echizen is going to be taken?"
"Tokyo Center Hospital," said Oishi, his voice was shaking. I nodded and got back to the phone, "It's Tokyo Center. You better heading out there soon, Nanako-san, and wait for the arrival of Echizen."
"Thank you, Fuji-kun," whispered Nanako-san again, and she hung up. Now Tezuka and Ryuuzaki-sensei, I thought. I dialed Ryuuzaki first and told her about Echizen.
"WHAT?!" she yelled.
"It's Tokyo Center, please," I said calmly, and hung up. Now Tezuka's turn. It took about a minute before Tezuka picked it up, "Hello? Tezuka's residence."
"It's me, Fuji," I said. "Tezuka, I have a bad news." And I told him what happened.
Again, silent fell between us. "Where is he going to be taken?"
"Tokyo Center Hospital," I replied. "See you there, Tezuka."
"Yes. Take care of him, Fuji."
"Sure."
Now I can clearly heard Eiji crying and the hesitated figure of Momoshiro and Oishi caught up in my eyes. Echizen was being taken inside the ambulance.
"We are his friends, will you let us go with him?" Oishi pleaded. The officer nodded, "Got in the car."
"Come on, Eiji," I said softly, reached his shoulder and pulled him up. Eiji was crying in silent while his mouth was saying one word repeatedly, "Ochibi… Ochibi…"
(Momoshiro's POV)
I looked at Echizen's limp figure lying on the bed, breathing masker on his face, an IV attached to his right hand. I felt like tears on the verge of running down on my cheeks. Eiji-senpai was hugged by Oishi-senpai.
I felt really shocked and tired. This is why Echizen was acting weird all of day. But this wasn't supposed to be happen, right? Not Echizen! God, he was only going to 14!
"He's going to be alright, isn't he?" I asked Fuji-senpai slowly.
"Yes, Momoshiro." Said Fuji-senpai. His opened eyes nailed on Echizen. "Yes, he is."
Silent fell again. I reached for Echizen's left arm and wrapped in tightly on my hand. God, please save him. Please wake him up. Please… please… I'll do anything, I promise, I promise… so please let him okay…
I could heard the ambulance's siren crying out, the car rushing towards the hospital.
(Oishi's POV)
I kept hugging Eiji's body. I could feel it shaking so badly under my hands. He was shocked, like us. I know that Eiji always saw Echizen as his younger cute little brother, just like Momoshiro did.
It had been an hour since we had arrived at the hospital. Echizen was going to take a surgery, due to his internal bleeding and his several broken bones. We waited for him, along with his family and Tezuka and Ryuuzaki-sensei who had come shortly after us. Fuji had told them all the details.
"Stupid seishounen…" Echizen's father murmured, looking at his lap.
Finally after two hours of exhausted waiting, the doctor showed up. "Echizen-kun's family?"
"Yes." Nanako-san quickly stepped to the doctor. Echizen Nanjiroh followed her behind.
"It was very lucky of him," he said, sighing. "But there are several damages that he sustained. His right arm was broken, but it'll heal after a few weeks. His head was collided hard to the asphalt, so he sustained a concussion, but it's ok. He broke his several ribs too. I say that he is playing tennis?"
"Yes," said Tezuka. "We are his teammates."
"Well, I forbid him for playing in a two months, a month at least," the doctor stated. "He won't be able to walk for a while due to his broken ribs, so I suggest him to use the wheelchair. He is going to be moved to the general room now. He will probably wake up tomorrow morning."
"Ochibi…" Eiji sobbed.
"It's ok, he is going to be all right," the doctor smiled. "He had been fighting very brave and here he is, breathing with us. I will allow you to see him after he is being moved."
"Thank you so much, doctor," said Nanako-san, smiling. Both of them bowed each other, followed by us.
"Gah!" Echizen-san's expression now was relaxed. "What an annoying boy, that seishounen."
(Echizen's POV)
First time I tried to open my eyes, I failed. I felt my body was very heavy, and so did my eyes. The second attempt was success.
I groaned groggily. Felt like knives stabbing all over my body. I tried to lift up my right arm, and I let out a pained groan. I thought it was broken…
I remembered what happened. I saved that stupid kid and yet here I was, lying on this bed. I hate hospital so much. It made you feel weak.
I saw that stupid oyaji was sleeping on the sofa nearby the window. I smirked. I sighed. I tried to pull up my self into a sitting position, but my body won't obey me. I gave up. I tried to reach a glass of water on the table beside my bed, and my chest protested in a sharp pain.
"Damn it…" I murmured.
"You're awake," I heard oyaji's voice. I looked up and saw him, yawning. He took the glass and hand it over to me.
"Thanks," I murmured under my breath.
"What did you get your self into, oi, young boy?" Oyaji stretched up his hands over his head. "What a very stupid boy."
"Shut up," I snapped to him, resting my body again against the bed. The next second, the door opened and whole of Seigaku's regulars were standing there.
"Echizen," Tezuka-buchou nodded while Momo-senpai and Kikumaru-senpai rushed onto my bed.
"Ochibiiiiii!" Kikumaru-senpai's annoying voice rang in my ears. "Ah Ochibi, you made us very worried you know!"
"You don't have to," I said to him, glaring at him and Momo-senpai. Momo-senpai grinned, ruffling my hair, "What a Echizen."
"Stop it Momo-senpai."
"How are you feeling, Echizen?" asked Kawamura-senpai.
"I feel fine," I said nonchalantly.
Fuji-senpai smiled. "It really fits you, Echizen."
"The doctor said that you broke your ribs and right arm, so you won't be able to play within two months, a month at least," said Inui-senpai, his glasses were glinting. "And due to your ribs, you won't be able to walk to for a while, so…" he stepped back and reaching for something, "you have to use this."
My eyes widened at the thing and I shouted, "Yadda!"
Eiji-senpai and Momo-senpai burst into laughter. I glared at them and snapped, "There's nothing funny about!"
"Now who's the one who is 'mada mada dane'?" Momo-senpai chuckled. "You have to, Echizen. It keeps you ribs from hurting more and getting worse. In two weeks you'll be able to walk again."
"I don't want use that fucking wheelchair," I snarled. Kawamura-senpai interrupted, "Now Echizen, be a good boy ok?"
"Watch your words, you brat young boy," Oyaji said. I ignored him.
"Just use it and you will not regret it," Tezuka-buchou said firmly, walked over to me. "It's an order, you hear me?"
I sighed. I know I can't stand against him. "Alright, alright."
Oishi-senpai smiled. "You really idiot, Echizen."
"Stop calling me stupid or whatever!" I snarled again.
"Well, well, there his poker face again." Momo-senpai laughed, ruffling my hair again.
"Let me go."
Fuji-senpai smiled. "You are really everyone's best friend, Echizen."
All at once, except Tezuka-buchou and Inui-senpai, yelled, "Mada mada dane!"
"Hey! It's my line!"
Finally done =] this is the edited version! i erased the first one. i'm thinking about making this into a twoshot or should I make the sequel? please read and review and tell me if you want a sequel, so I'll make the 2nd chap! tada, twoshot.