Hey! First time using FanFiction so I'd really appreciate your support! Thanks!
I'm really sorry if any of you have similar chapter or stories written, but I promise I haven't copied them!
I'll try not to make anyone too OOC, since people probably don't like that.
Disclaimer: I don't own POT, although I wish I did! (Who am I kidding? I can't play tennis to save my life anyway mwahahah)
Chapter One:
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A girl looking to be the age of around twelve sat in a wheelchair. Her hair looked almost black, but the sun gave it an effective glow of emerald. It was long and silky, battling with the wind. Her skin was fair and slightly on the pale side but she seemed like the kind to tan rather than burn. Her eyes flashed a dark golden from far away, but if you were closer up, you could see the olive specks that were sprinkled her irises. The young girl was none other than an Echizen, Echizen Ruka. (The name Ruka means bright blue flower)
Most strangers would take one look at her and shake their heads in pity, mumbling something along the lines of 'beauty comes with a price.' Ruka, being one with sharp ears, would hear this. But of course she would also ignore it.
Echizen Ruka was not one to dwell on things. She didn't care about here looks, her popularity. But she did care for her family and friends. She was always bubbly, like nothing could put her down. Ruka didn't complain, and she rarely yelled or was mad. It was even rarer to find a sad, broken-down, crying Ruka. Her smile was always sincere and she knew when to be the serious Ruka, or the fun Ruka.
Her clothing style was merely what she thought to be 'chucking a few random clothes on', but anyone could see that, whatever she did, it worked well. Although the clothes didn't show off her body, you could tell she had a nice figure. While she just wore large t-shirts, a random outer layer, few accessories, baggy pants and combat boots, other girls would wear short skirts, tank tops and heels after spending hours just to pick that outfit.
Although this girl is stuck in a wheelchair, she wasn't afraid of much, not snakes, spiders or sharks. You could say she is fearless, but there is only one thing she's absolutely terrified of; her own dreams. Secretly, she's grateful that she at her weakest when no one could see her. She'd rather reflect a strong attitude instead of showing weakness, she didn't want to trouble anyone, but she had to accept the fact that her family wouldn't let her go through life alone, and she definitely appreciated it.
But last of all, this girl was the younger twin of Echizen Ryoma.
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Rinko and Nanjiro smiled at each other tiredly, the looked back at the now peacefully sleeping girl in the corner of the room from the doorway. Ruka didn't always have dreams, but when she did, the two had to go and comfort her. They recently figured out that the dreams were getting worse and they were running out of ideas on what to do.
Ruka went on her weekly trip to the psychiatrist, but it was starting to become… not enough. So now, they were at a loss for their baby girl.
The couple headed back down the hallway toward their own room, checking in at Ryoma's room, only to see him also peacefully asleep, if not snoring slightly, and their pet cat Karupin curled up beside him.
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The next morning, Ryoma and his parents were sitting at the breakfast table, discussing some things related to school. Well, more like Rinko and Ryoma were. Nanjiro was just reading his 'newspaper'. Ruka then decided to come out of her room, wheeling herself slowly toward the kitchen. "Kaa-san, you sure I won't ruin any of the floors if I go a bit faster?" Ruka's voice comes through the door.
"Ah, yes its fine, I told you already didn't I?" Rinko asks and Ruka just shakes her head, now pulling up to the dining table and grabbing the knife and fork next to her plate.
She giggled, "Isn't it funny we're eating a traditional American breakfast when we're in Japan? Oh, and good morning, kaa-san, oyaji and Ryo-nii."
Rinko smiled and said, "Well, you know I like American food." Whereas Ryoma just mumbled, "Ugh I hate American food…"
After digging into her breakfast, Ruka turned to the rest of her family and asked, "So, how's this school thing going to work?"
Ryoma, who was drinking his milk, started choking and Ruka was quick to start patting him on his back. She laughed, "I guess I hit a sore spot, eh?"
Rinko nodded slightly, "Well, Ryoma and Nanji are sort of against it, but I want you to attend Rikkai Dai Fuzoku while Ryoma goes to Seigaku, since Nanji's old coach works there, and it's his old school."
"Huh? Sure, I don't mind. I've heard some things about the school and they sound ok. But why Rikkai Dai? Wouldn't I have to catch the train to get there?"
"Yes, well, Rikkai is the only place that has ramps built in, and it would be convenient for you-" "But the train isn't?" Ryoma cut in.
"Calm down, 'chibi. I know you and Ru are always together, but to be honest, even though I am against it, I think it's also for the best." Nanjiro walked up and placed a hand on Ryoma's shoulder. "Ne, why don't you come play a match with me, I think we should let the girls talk privately."
Ryoma agreed and went into his room to change and grab his racket, before heading outside to meet Nanjiro out on the courts.
"So," Rinko continued, "The place I'm working at is situated in the Kanagawa Region, meaning I can drive you there in the mornings, and I've sorted some things out with the school so that you'll either stay at the library until I text you and you can come out so I can pick you up, or, you can go to a friend's house and just text me the address."
"Ah, I see. Well, ok, I'll go!" Ruka chirped, "But, what did you mean by 'sorted' and 'school'?"
"Erm, well, I was hoping you'd say yes, so I... sort of planned ahead."
"Oh?"
"I've already got your uniform, yes, you have to wear a skirt, and you know that entrance exam I gave you last time when I said it was for Seigaku? Well, it was actually Rikkai Dai's. Anyway, you passed the test really well, and they called to ask if it was ok to put you in a few classes with the second or third years." Rinko spilled the beans.
"Well, I guess wearing a skirt could be a nice change and really? Which subjects?" Ruka didn't complain.
"Well, they want you in the third years for Chemistry and English. But also with the second years for Maths." Rinko ticked off the subjects with her fingers, proud of her daughter for being able to achieve such high standards in some of the most difficult subjects.
Ruka, unable to bounce in her wheelchair, for her legs were out of action, clapped her hands instead. "Omigosh, I'll take the offer! Mum, they want me in third years Chemistry! I can't wait!" Caught up in her excitement, Ruka had a habit of speaking English.
Rinko laughed at the state of her daughter, "Well, there is still a week left until school starts. So calm down a little, anyone who didn't know you would think you've had too much sugar for breakfast!"
Ruka laughed along with her mother, as Nanjiro and Ryoma came back inside from their game. Ryoma, looking defeated. That's when Ruka remembered something.
"Ah, Ryo-nii, I just remembered that I wanted to ask if I could come with you today to that under 16's tournament."
A light sparked in Ryoma's eyes as he nodded and gestured at the door, "We need to go now, if we don't want to late."
Ruka nodded and started wheeling myself toward him, "I've put some money in my pocket when I changed this morning. So I'll pay for the tickets today, ne?"
"Oi, Nanji, maybe you should go out and help them down the temple stairs as well." Rinko suggested. Nanjiro nodded and stood up to head out of the door after the twins.
xxx
"Heh, you guys don't even know the grips?" a high school boy stood on the train, boasting to his two companions.
Ryoma sat near them with Ruka facing him in a diagonal direction in her wheelchair. The siblings looked at each other pointedly before turning away from each other. Ruka may be disabled, but she isn't deaf, so she could hear the whole conversation of whoever was behind her. And being the daughter and sister and people who excelled in tennis could only mean she knew plenty herself. Heck, she was even worthy of becoming a professional coach if she wanted to. But, nah, she'd rather stick her nose into books about chemistry and whatnot. But, also, not to mention the fact that she once used to play herself.
"You use the Western grip for top-spins," the high schooler continued, "Just hold the racket like you're going to shake hands with someone."
The high school started swing the racket, and with Ruka's sensitive hearing, she heard the faintest of yelps as the man kept repetitively swinging that damned racket of his.
"Ne, you're really loud." Ryoma said as Ruka turned back to face her brother.
Suddenly, the train went over a bump and Ryoma was quick to use his reflexes to steady me from falling. "You ok?" he mutters, "Yeah, I'm alright." Ruka whispers just loud enough for him to hear.
During the time that the train had shaken, the high schooler had dropped his racket. As he bent down the pick it up, he made a snide remark about how a grade schooler had told him off, although it pay the two siblings no mind, Ryoma decided to play around with the cocky 16 year old for the moment. (Even though Ryoma is quite cocky himself)
"Bingo. That's the right way to hold the Western grip, like you're picking it up off the ground." Ryoma said, "The one where you hold it like a hand shake is called the Eastern grip, don't worry, though, many people get it mixed up."
"Hah, and you think you know better than me? You and your puny little girlfriend? She can't even walk!" the high schooler gestured lazily to the wheelchair, chuckling at his own 'joke'.
The comment made Ryoma's eyes narrow. The Echizen's rarely got mad, and if they did, it was to protect their family, even if the victim didn't care.
Ryoma clenched his fists, ready to fight, but was stopped by Ruka tugging on his sleeve. "Oi, nii-san, this is our stop."
"Heh, so that's your sister? That even worse! Who hangs around with their siblings?" the high schooler made another rude comment, but it was left unheard when he only saw the retreating backs of the two Echizen siblings.
"Why you!" he started, but was stopped by one of his friends, "Oi, you totally just got dissed by those grade schoolers. We better get off, this is our stop too."
Not many noticed the small pitter patter of feet the hurriedly followed the three high schoolers off the train.
xxx
"Excuse me?" Ruka asked a girl around her age with long pigtails in her hair, "Do you possibly know how to get to the Kakinokizaka Tennis Gardens."
"Eh?" the girl said, looking down to face Ruka, "whaa, you're really pretty!" she exclaimed, then covering her mouth in surprise.
Ruka laughed, "Thank you, but, um, the tennis garden?"
"Oh, right!" she looked up, "Ah! You're the ones from the train too!" she said, recognising Ryoma.
"I'm going there too, by the way. Are you going to play today? It's my first time I'm going to watch tennis. And-"
"So, the tennis gardens?" Ryoma brought the conversation back to topic.
"Ah! Sorry!" The girl gave a small bow, "umm, use the south exit, and then go straight."
"So go through the south exit and head straight?" Ryoma asked, checking, since there wasn't any time to get lost, or he would definitely be late. The girl nodded and the Echizen's headed off.
Ruka distinctly heard the girl say Ryoma's name, but she smiled and kept it to her herself as Ryoma pushed her along in her wheelchair.
They headed out of the south gate and straight, there were heaps of people, but no sound of tennis balls. Ruka looked around for a street sign, it took a while through the crowd of people, but she finally found one. She squinted her eyes, reading it slowly, as people kept getting in her line of vision. When she finally made out what it said, her eyes widened and she quickly checked the time.
"Ah, Ryo-nii!" she turn slightly to face him, "we're going to wrong way, this way is towards to shops, the opposite direction is the gardens."
Ryoma's eyes widened as he realized what was happening, "Damn, that girl told us the wrong directions." He quickly swerved the wheelchair back the way they came from and hurriedly made their way back to the station.
"Ryo-nii, you go ahead by yourself, I'll catch up later, that way you won't be late." Ruka offered, worried that she was slowing her brother down.
"Ru, I can't leave you here alone. What if you get hurt?" Ryoma says, barely out of breath.
"Nii-san, I'm serious, I want you to make it to your matches. I'll be fine on my own. I promise. I'll call you if anything happens." Ruka could tell her brother was on the verge of giving in. "Besides, I really want to watch you play; I haven't seen a match in a while."
Ryoma sighed and rolled his eyes, "Fine." He slows the wheelchair down to a halt, "call me when you get there." He adds, before running off. She nods at his retreating form and starts slowly pushing herself through the crowd, ignoring the usual pitying stares and giving happy smiles to the people passing by.
Ruka stopped in front of a small candy store and eyed the big bag of gummy bears on display. She pondered for a moment, wondering whether it was worth the effort and money or not. After a minute or two, she decided yes.
The door gave a delicate ring as she entered through the (thankfully) large door. The lady working in the store looked up, but saw no one and looked back down at her magazine.
"Ano, excuse me miss?" Ruka's voice reached the lady's ears. Her voice wasn't childish, but rather, had a melodic ring to it, along with, what you could call a sense of maturity. Because the woman hadn't been expecting anyone in the store, she gave a small jump and love around to see a pretty young girl sitting in a wheelchair. She immediately felt sorry, but tried not to show it. At least the girl didn't seem to notice.
"Yes dear, did you need help reaching something?" The lady jumped to the assumption that the poor girl couldn't reach something on the shelves.
"Ah, no, but thank you for the offer. I was wondering how much the big bag of gummy bears on display cost." Ruka replied. The lady felt bad again for jumping to assumptions, then remembered she still had a customer, and that it really wasn't the time to be mourning over it, since the girl seemed to be in a rush.
"Ah, that was just put up this morning, it's for free, but," as the lady said this, she saw the girl's eyes sparkle in delight, "you have to guess how many are inside." She finished, not really wanting to let the girl down. To her surprise, the smile didn't waver. In fact, the girl just asked, "may I take a look at the bag?"
"S-sure." The lady replied, quite taken aback. She walked over to the display window and carefully took out the big bag of gummy bears. She walked back to the counter and started saying, "Now I'm not sure if you'll get it right, but I'll get you 5 guesses." But she was cut off by the customer's first guess, "Two hundred, and thirty-eight." She said slowly.
The sales lady smiled at her horrible guess, "Sorry dear, that's the incorrect answer." "Miss, if I get the answer right, I'd also like to buy this, and a can of grape ponta." Ruka placed a packet of peach flavoured gum on the counter and pointed to the drinks fridge. The woman nodded, "Sure darling, I'll grab the drink for you in a sec, what's you second guess? You only have four to go." She warned.
"Two hundred and sixty-seven."
xxx
Ruka slowly wheeled herself out of the candy store, the shopkeeper helping her by holding the door open.
She chuckled to herself as she felt like she just won the lottery and recalled how the woman has spluttered spit at her face when she guessed right, in fact, Ruka had known the answer all along. In her time spent pondering; she had also subconsciously counted the number of gummy bears in the bag. All four hundred and ninety-five of the delicious gummy bears were now hers. No one and I mean no one, messes with Ruka when it comes to gummy bears. (Yes, it just happens to be the sum of the first two guesses.)
She pocketed her pack of gum and left the gummy bears sitting on her lap while she sipped on her can of ponta. In fact, Ruka was quite enjoying her drink when Ryoma came running up to her. "Ru, where were you? I called you four times! You're lucky I didn't call Oyaji." Ruka smiled sheepishly, "Oops, I guess I forgot, these gummy bears distracted me." She pointed at the 'offending' object.
Ryoma sighed, "What's so good about gummy bears? Anyway, we should head home."
"You were late for the tournament, weren't you?" Ruka asked. Ryoma nodded in reply.
"Five minutes." He said, "Ah… So close!" Ruka said, "but I guess there is always next time."
Yayyy chapter one is done! So many words…
Anyway, hope you like it so far, I hope the characters so far aren't too OOC either, PM me if you think they sorta are.
Fave, review and follow please!
And since we all know about the whole match thing with Sasabe, I just decided to show Ruka's side of the story. Yays! Wish me the best of luck with the rest of the story.
THANKYOUU