Disclaimer: Do you really have to ask? If I owned Prince of tennis, there will be lots of male pairings going on and Ryoma would have his personal harem. The lyric is originally the gentleman song from Buffy the vampire slayer season four, episode 10, hush, though I did change the words around a bit.

Ryoma grunted as his phone rang. Rolling over, he reached towards his beside table and picked it up, "Moshi moshi" he replied without glancing to see who the caller was.

"Echizen," a stern voice stated causing Ryoma to blink in surprise, "I apologize for calling so late, I'm sure you were already asleep." Ryoma sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes and told his captain it was alright. "I just wanted to let you know that you need to come to school early tomorrow, we're going to be holding an important meeting about our hunted house."

Ryoma grunted, "Okay buchou." the younger boy gave a nod, despite knowing that his captain wouldn't be able to see it. "Wha..." before he could continue what he was saying a shrill screech pierced his ears causing him to give a small shout of pain, clutching his ears. "What is that sound?"

"Are you alright Echizen?" the concern in the older boys voice was evident, he was about to say something else when another screech was heard causing both boys to flinch, pulling the phone away from their ears.

Sounds of rustling were heard as if someone was moving around, heavy breathing panted through the phone followed shortly by a gurgle, "Echizen Ryoma..." a harsh feminine voice coldly hissed, causing both Tezuka and Ryoma to freeze, "We're coming for you." the grating sound was more like a shriek then anything, shooting painful jolts straight through their brains. "Your life belongs to us. No one can save you."

Tezuka narrowed his eyes, "Who is this?" the third years voice was cold, commanding the other person to answer. It was the same voice he used with the team during practice when someone disobeyed the rules. But no answer came forth and just as Tezuka was going to ask again the white noise vanished.

Ryoma chewed on his bottom lip, "Buchou..."

"Don't worry too much about it, Echizen. It was just some prank caller who had nothing better to do with her time. Don't pay any attention to it. You going to be fine, nothings going to happen to you." Despite knowing the words were meant to offer him comfort, Ryoma didn't feel assured at all, "Echizen, you still there?"

Nodding out of habit, the first year replied to the positive. "Yes buchou." a cold shiver shot through the boys spine, causing goosebumps to break out across his skin. He didn't know what to think about what just happened, but he didn't want Tezuka to worry all night about him and if the only way he could ease the older teens mind was to tell a little white lie, well that's just what he was going to do. "I'll be okay buchou, like you said, it's most likely a prank call. Some people just has a sick sense of humor ne. I'll see you tomorrow."

Tezuka despite trying to assure the boy that everything was going to be alright, couldn't help but worry. He knew, and he was more than sure Echizen knew as well, that whoever was on the line with them, it was definitely not a prank caller. He'd bring this up with Inui and Fuji, see what they think. Hearing the reply, Tezuka couldn't help but smile a little, knowing the boy was trying to offer him some comfort so he wouldn't catch, what the team refers to as, 'the oishi-itis, in this case, the tendency to mother someone. "Get some sleep. I'll drop by your house to pick you up, is that alright with you?"

"Yes." Ryoma rubbed his arms, "Have a good night buchou."

Tezuka narrowed his eyes slightly, "Yes, you as well. And Echizen," the older teen paused briefly, "If the caller calls you back, I want you to contact me." Ryoma gave a positive reply to that statement before both hung up.

A cold wind blew into the room, rustling the comforter and tussling midnight colored hair. A shiver raked the body hidden beneath the layer of blankets as sleepy golden eyes opened, "Karupin." the boy whispered, teeth chattering, "Why is it so cold in here all of a sudden?" sitting up, he tugged the blankets to cover him completely, but it did nothing to offer his body warmth, about to get out of bed to check the heater, he was halted as his cat leaped to his feet baring tiny fangs at an unseen entity. Rubbing his eyes, Ryoma glanced at the clock.

'2:00 am'

Glancing towards his cat, Ryoma tried to see what was antagonizing him. "What is it Karupin?" the only answer he received was an angry hiss as the cat leaped in front of the boy on the bed, blue eyes glaring into the dark room. Ryoma turned, narrowing his eyes, "Is someone there? Oyaji, is that you?"

A piercing shriek was heard as a woman dressed in a black full length gown, the neckline was plunging showing off more chest then boy wonder would ever want to see. Over the gown was a laced up vest or something like that. But the thing that stood out the most was the red substance that stained various parts of not only her body but her clothes as well. Her mouth opened and words poured free. A song, he realized. The demon looking girl was singing. It was a haunting sound and left samurai junior feeling more terrified then he had been previously.

Ryoma shivered, golden eyes wide. Karupin bristled, a hiss escaping his mouth, claws unsheathing, sensing the incoming threat to his young master. "Who are you? Are you the same person that made the threat on my life while I was on the phone? What do you want from me?" he glanced towards the door, wondering why his father or cousin hadn't come barging in yet, surely they heard that screech moments ago.

The singing became louder, more audible.

'Can't even shout

Can't even cry

The death dealers are coming by

Looking in windows

Going through doors

They need seven,

So they'll be taking yours.

Can't call to dad

Can't say a word

You're gonna die screaming

But you won't be heard'

Golden eyes widened at hearing those words, "What do you mean? What are death dealers? What do you mean by seven? What do I have that you want?" the twelve year old scooted back on the bed, until his back made contact with the headboards.

A cold smirk graced the woman's face, "We meet once again, Echizen Ryoma, you alluded me when we first met, this time no one will be able to save you." she hissed, voice reminding him of nails on a chalkboard causing him to flinch at the sound. Her eyes colored so dark, he was sure that the only color that would equal that particular shade would be the very heart beating in her chest. "Your blood will stain this world red, as it should have years ago. The world belongs to us, and I won't allow you to stand in our way again."

"I don't even know you? How could I have met you years ago?" Ryoma called out.

At those words the pale skinned woman paused in her steps; staring at Ryoma as if he was the demon before a malicious smile curled her lips, "Oh this is just precious. He erased your memories, or he sealed them away. He must have done the same to those guards of yours, no wonder your so defenseless now, I just thought you got weaker throughout the years."

Confusion filled golden eyes. "I don't understand! Who are you? What do you want?"

"Enough questions." She snarled,lounging towards the frozen boy, a dagger with jagged edges materialized, the teeth bared towards Ryoma, ready to slice his throat open, and quite painfully at that, when a bright light erupted within the room, forcing her to retreat, "No!" she yelled, "I'll be back for you, Echizen Ryoma!"

Ryoma trembled, thoughts raced through his head. He almost died, could have died had this light not appear. "Who are you? Are you here to seek my death as well?" the tremors were barely concealed. The silhouette of a man about Inui's height, perhaps a bit taller, stood out against the bright background; hair was in controlled spikes. As he neared, the light faded to just above dim, revealing gray hair and blue eyes

"Be at peace young one, she won't haunt you anymore this night." a gentle hand brushed the hair from his forehead, placing a light, almost brotherly kiss upon his brow as golden eyes fluttered close, "Have pleasant dreams, young master." the soft words lulled the boy to slumber. When he was sure the boy was in dreamland. He glanced towards the window, the dim lights that encased his form, brightened once more for a few moments before dying away. When the light vanished, the man was gone and in his place sat Karupin who blinked blue eyes before padding towards the slumbering tennis prince, nuzzling his cheek a bit, he curled up against Ryoma chest, falling into dreamland as well.

Tsuzuku

(To be continued)

I decided to write another supernatural story since I'm finishing up the last couple chapters for A thrilling vacation. Which should be posted soon. Tell me what you think in a review, if you would.

*If you didn't catch it on top, the song I used for the demonic girl is the song from Buffy the vampire slayer, season 4, ep. 10, hush, the gentleman song. I was watching it and when the song began playing, well, ta-da. *

As for pairings, it's either pillar or thrill, I'm leaning more towards the pillar though.

Tenma