Hello and welcome my very first crossover fic! This has been especially written for a very dear friend of mine known as "Inui's bastard love child" and BELIEVE ME! you don't want to try her juice...its lethal!
Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis,...yes, the world does know that by now I'm sure. And I don't own One Piece either. OY! Luffy! Give me back my lunch! Grrr..someone hand me a giant mouse trap...
"On the good ship Going Merry."
Story: Tora Macaw.
" Six games to one! Seigaku wins!"
Swinging his left arm up so his racket rested lightly on his shoulder, Ryoma Echizen tugged at his cap as he smirked across the net at his thoroughly defeated St Rudolph opponent, then contemptuously turned his back to strut from the battle field. Overhead, the sun blazed as a golden fury and snowy clouds streamed before it as natures victory banners.
For a brief moment, the dark-haired youth turned his face to the day star and closed his eyes as he drew a deep, frustrated breath. Reddish light glowed through his lids as the soft breeze caressed his skin and stirred up loose tendrils of black bangs as they hung down from under the confines of his hat. Chasing the disappointing yet smug thought of 'No contest' from his mind by turning his attention to his team mates, the young singles star past through the gate to enjoy the enthusiastic acclaim of his friends.
" O Chibi! You did it!" cried Eiji while slinging an arm about him.
" A stunning victory." added Oishi while subtly prying the flame-haired player's limb from Ryoma's shoulders so the others could get a word in.
Looming over the shorter boy, Tezuka stared down his nose as always and commended his performance with a firm; " Well done Echizen."
" Mada mada" he replied unconcerned. " Excuse me Tezuka sempai."
Braking free of his happy fan club, the seventh grader walked steadily toward the distant drinking fountains. The sound of footsteps trotting up behind him made him half turn his head in annoyance, but his irritation at once faded as he grinned up into a pair of warmly glowing purple orbs.
" Hey Echizen! Great game!"
" Game? No Momo' sempai, it was a slaughter." said the smaller boy with a grimace as he lowered his head to hide the disappointment lurking in his eyes.
" Ah..never mind!" answered the bristle-haired upper classman cheerfully as he scooped his friend into his arms and hugged him against his chest. " So, you still coming on Sunday's cruise?"
Ryoma allowed himself to enjoy Momo's warm embrace for a few minutes before wriggling free, then smiling up at him. " Yes. I'm looking forward to it."
Beautiful amethyst eyes gazed into Green-gold orbs as the older boy nodded happily, then together the pair walked to the liquid dispensing tiled convenience located at the tennis courts northern most end. Leaning his back against the fountains rear support wall, the Seigaku power house player fondly watched the short singles star slake his thirst; then grinned as Ryoma straightened and his mouth split into a huge yawn.
" So tired." Murmured the youth while sleepily rubbing his eyes.
Slipping a supporting arm around his little friend as the smaller boy's legs began to buckle, Momoshiro guided him over to where soft grass and shady trees beckoned. Lowering himself, he rested his back against a smooth trunk then gently coaxed Ryoma to lay down on the lush green of natures carpet and get some rest. Laying his head in his lap, the dark-haired youth completely gave himself up to pleasure of smooth fingertips tenderly whispering through his still sweat-damp hair as his thoughts drifted onto the coming weekend.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, with the sort of perfection that had Ryoma almost purring with pleasure as he scrambled aboard the mini bus with his team mates. Slipping into the driver's seat, Ryuzaki looked over her shoulder and beamed at her charges. " All ready? Then lets go!"
The engine roared into life and with a painful crunching of gears ( followed by the old coaches comical curse at the cantankerous vehicle ), it then decided to behave and rolled its way smoothly toward the coast.
" Nya! I can't wait! I love boats!" cried Eiji as his azure eyes sparkled with stars and his raised fists balled in his excitement.
Beside him, Oishi smiled contentedly. " The sea will be calm."
" Saa..I don't mind if it's a little rough." Fuji commented while slyly gazing at Tezuka with half open eyes.
Toying with his glasses as he frantically scribbled his captain's slightly uncomfortable reaction to the Tensai's smoothly spoken statement, Inui said in a matter-of-fact tone; " If anyone gets sea sick, I have here a special aqua revival energy juice mix."
Talk instantly suspended as several heads sweat dropped and Kaidoh's apprehensive hiss echoed about the interior, then Tezuka folded his arms, bowed his head, closed his eyes and firmly spoke. " Let's hope that wont be necessary."
Inui merely shrugged in reply and lively chatter broke out once more.
Soon, the mini bus was motoring along a straight road that ran beside a deep blue ocean, and Ryuzaki smiled at the teenagers exclamations of delight as she drove through the high gates of a huge marina.
Pointing out her window, the coach indicated a large silver launch as it sat rocking lightly at its moorings.
" There she is boys! The 'Going Merry' !"
With a drawn out hiss of brakes, the bus rolled to a halt and a pack of eager tennis players leapt from within to cheerfully snatch up their gear bags and follow the woman as Ryuzaki shook hands with the boats captain.
" Hi! I'm Roy! " he boomed as he smiled through his beard at the little group, then waved proudly at his sea going vessel. " Welcome aboard the ' Going Merry' folks! We'll be casting off about ten minutes so please make your self's at home!"
Wincing a little at the invitation so loudly delivered at point-blank range, the team from Seigaku strode up the steady gang plank and were met by two crew members who handled their baggage, then told them to sit wherever they wished.
Eiji instantly bolted for the forward deck, then stood at the bow with both arms outstretched and shouting; " I'm the king of the world nya!" at the top of his voice. Thrusting hands deep into his shorts pockets, Kaidoh scowled through his hair and hissed a low, " Idiot." While Takashi rubbed the back of his head and looked bemused. Oishi leaned over a railing to smile at the way the golden sun light danced on the rippling water and Fuji sidled up to Tezuka with a suggestive smile and a whispered; " Saa...Captain, shall we find a car to hide in?"
The stoic youth's only reply was a firm glare, then a detailed visual study of the sea gulls as they raucously screamed and wheeled overhead on grey and white wings.
Beneath their feet the deck began to vibrate as the engine bellowed into action, then the vessel settled into a steady hum as it backed out of its docking bay. Once clear of the confines, the great launch surged forward to glide smoothly across the glittering surface.
Holding the cool metal rail with both hands, Ryoma leaned back, tipped his head up and enjoyed the feel of the bracing wind whipping through his hair as a grinning Momo' joined him.
" It's going to be a great day hey Echizen?"
Large green-gold orbs briefly smiled up the taller youth and the black-haired head nodded a firm agreement.
The huge boat quickly slipped between the semi encircling rocky arms the marina's twin break waters, then with a loud roar and whoosh of spray the sleek vessel picked up speed to charge away in rapid bolt for the freedom of the boundless ocean.
Time lost all meaning and past unseen for the nine teenagers as the ' Going Merry' tore across its native element in a joyful sprint. Crowded into the bow, they let out a great cry of delight as a pod of Dolphins rushed in from the left to jostle for prime positions in the boats high pressure forward wave.
" NYA! LOOK AT THAT ONE!" yelled Eiji as he excitedly pointed out a huge old male leaping almost at his feet. Dark of skin, its back crisscrossed with the numerous rake marks baring evidence of past brawls with its brethren, the mighty sea beast shot clear of the water, then its jagged dorsal fin knifed beneath the surface once more. Flipping over, the stream lined animal sped on its back as it weaved its way over; then under its friends as a new dolphin took his place.
" Tezuka!" said Fuji as he caught his captain's full attention with a nudge to the ribs. Following the line of the Tensai's pointing finger, the Hazel-gold eyed youth watched a female and her half grown calf with a pleasure he couldn't hide. Sunlight briefly flashed on the rubbery grey skin as her dorsal broke the surface tension, then her offspring's head punched up and its blowhole opened; then closed with a low puff as the youngster breathed and dived.
Off to the side, Ryoma, Momo' and Kaidoh smiled as a young adult flew out of the sea to propel itself upward with a strong flick of its tail. For several seconds it hung suspended against the glorious back drop of the clear blue sky before arching its gleaming body and curving its way down back beneath the waves.
Close by his friends, Inui muttered to himself as he quickly took data. " Bottle nose dolphin. Full growth length, thirteen feet. Current observation of playful behavior showing great speed and agility. Complex, but highly social creature. A coastal animal, found in all the oceans of the world."
" Who cares about that!" laughed Momo' as the calf reappeared, its high pitched squeal sounding briefly before it slipped beneath the waves and peeled off from the main pod to follow its mother.
At the wheel of the launch, Roy grinned happily at his excited guests; but his happy expression turned into a concerned frown when one of his crew members to from his radio to pass him a short piece of paper that carried a storm warning.
" That's odd." he remarked while thoughtfully stroking his beard. " There were no bad weather reports earlier..must be squall. OK, we'll swing southward and avoid it."
Seeing the boat veer off course didn't bother the teenagers and their coach, but several cries of dismay went up as the dolphins swam away to play elsewhere. Rushing to the boat's stern, Eiji extended his right arm as he pleadingly called; " Come back nya!"
But the fins cutting the water steadily increased their distance and as he longingly gazed after them, the red head noticed a mass of dark storm cloud looming up menacingly behind them.
Up on the bridge, the captain also spied the threatening cluster and commanded his helmsman to steer north by north west. Yet the for all the boats maneuvering, the inexplicable storm seemed to follow them with single minded purpose and what was worse, it was steady over taking them. The wind started to howl like an angry wolf as the formally flat ocean whipped up into a tempest of rough waves that tossed the mighty launch like a cork.
Sheltered inside the spacious cabin the boys tried to remain calm, but it was rather hard to stay in control of ones fears when Eiji Kikumaru clung wide eyed and whimpering to his boy friend, Kaidoh Kaoru turned into a saucer eyed staring statue, Fuji Syusuke cheerfully mentioned how they were all going to drown and Ryoma Echizen sat back with his hands linked behind his head and muttered a bored sounding " Mada mada da ne" as the vessel wildly pitched sideways, then bucked like a crazed horse.
With a sudden violent shudder, the boat leaned drunkenly on its side and the steep angle sent nine teenage boys skidding across the floor in a screaming, shouting heap. Desperately clutching at each other, they flew out the open door then charged across the deck. Huge waves reared up, then broke over the group and in a flailing tangle of arms and legs accompanied by Momo's yell of " WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" rising above the deafening roar the wind and water; the Seigaku boys were thrown into the merciless ocean.
Freezing water closed in over their heads as the cold bit into them with a thousand needle like teeth. Kicking strongly, Tezuka was the first to break the surface and gasping for breath, he glared about wildly. Fuji surfaced beside him, his deep blue eyes wide open and filled with fear as he first saw his captain, then Momo' rear up just behind him. Inui's flattened hair showed up near by, then Kaidoh's bandana covered head erupted from the waves with a loud hiss. Staying close together, Eiji and Oishi thrashed toward them, then Takashi's floundering form popped up to gasp loudly and settle into a steady treading of water.
" Where's Echizen? " yelled Momo' as he frantically looked in every direction and despite their dire predicament the rest of the team paddled about calling the first years name.
Then something very unexpected happened. The wind dropped as suddenly as it had come up and the waves smoothed out to become a gentle rocking swell. A thick fog swirled over them, making them stick together as an Erie silence settled over them.
" Echizen! Echizen!" called Momo' as tears spilled freely down his cheeks and he pushed away the hands reaching to comfort him.
" Momoshiro..." began Tezuka gently but the bristle-haired youth refused to give up.
" His out there!" he sobbed desperately " We have to find him!"
.-.-.-.-.-
Groaning, Ryoma slowly peeled open his eyes and grimaced at the pain lancing through his skull. Suddenly aware of the fact that he was floating all alone on a vast ocean in the middle of nowhere while just barely managing to cling to a life ring, he fiercely blinked his eyes to will himself into full consciousness. Thick waves of cold mist swirled lazily about him and he could hardly see past the end of his own stretched out arm. Lips quirking into a lop sided half smirk, he held onto his sopping wet cap as he mumbled " Just great"
A sudden splash sounded close by, followed by the creak of a large wooden object and the low, heavy flap of a lax sail. Voices murmured through the fog and realizing it must be a search boat, Ryoma raised his voice in a frantic call for help.
There was an answering yell, then a huge white object loomed up out the mist to hang just above him. The dark-haired youth caught a quick glimpse of what appeared to be a smiling rams head with a sitting figure outlined atop it, then two hands appeared before him. Seizing the boy in a surprisingly strong grip, they lifted the startled teenager clear of the sea and Ryoma cried out in shock as he noticed there seemed to be nothing attached to the hands! Reaching up to grip the wrists, he saw for the first time the incredibly long arms that were rapidly retracting, then a face framed by black hair and topped with a yellow straw hat became visible to young mans wondering eyes.
Two large orbs centered by great black pupils studied him a moment then a youthful voice cheerfully spoke. " Hi! Have you got any food?"
To be continued...