DISCLAIMER: I want to, but Prince of Tennis is not mine!

SY: A Halloween Special featuring Rikkaidai Tennis Club and friends

WARNING: Possible character OOC..but just minor.

"Yanagi-sempaiii!" Kirahara squeeled, desperately running to Renji's direction with open arms and teary eyes.

He immediately hid himself behind the data specialist, looking left and right as if to make sure that no one has seen him.

"Kirihara-kun," the data specialist started. "Would you care to tell me what this is all about?" He tried pulling himself away but to no avail. The second year ace was clearly intent on clinging to him like a super glue.

"Kirihara-kun-"

"Sempai...they're not doing it, are they?" Kirihara asked, with those teary, puppy eyes Renji would have otherwise considered as cute if not for the fact that this was the same Akaya Kirihara whose constantly been on his tight leash for his inability to control his Devil Mode during tennis practice - which of course normally ends up in a bloodshed. So no. Definitely not cute.

"Not doing what, Kirihara-kun?"

Kirihara swallowed hard, steadying his voice and calming his nerves. No! He wasn't scared. It was all because he was surprised. That's all. "The spirit..." he started, gripping Renji's shirt tighter. "Niou-sempai said they're calling the spirit of Sanada Yukimura again this year! That headless samurai school guardian with nine tails and horns and cyclops eye.."

Ah. Niou. Kirihara went on describing whatever monstrosity Niou has told him about, and Renji couldn't care.

"Kirihara-kun, it's not true."

The 2nd year ace stopped talking and stared at him. "Hontou ni?"

Renji sighed. "The headless samurai you are talking about is never headless. He's a noble warrior during the Sengoku era. He is long dead. He's not a school guardian, so no. Sanada Yukimura is not-"

"Sanada Yukimura is not what, Renji?"

The data specialist turned to the familiar owner of the gentle voice. He need not to use his data to know the silent command behind his captain's words, telling him to shut up an and let him handle this.

"I was just getting some facts straight."

Yukimura smiled. And Renji was sure the room temperature dropped to a degree or two below freezing point. He didn't know how it was possible.

"Ne, Akaya.." Yukimura said, glancing at his prodigy. "What Niou said was true. And you are going to help us do it."

The little devil lost all the colors on his face as he held his breath. Few seconds after, he collapsed.

"Seiichi...I've been doing the math and-"

"What math?"

"I'm a hundred percent sure you are not serious about what you said."

"Oh. Of course. I was just trying to scare our little kid. Isn't he adorable?"

Renji inwardly winced at the word. Adorable? Kirihara? 0%.

"About that helping part...I'd like to make sure I'm getting things right."

Yukimura hummed and nodded. "Let me see.." he thought. "We'll do a special role play trick this Halloween and I will be the medium."

Renji frowned, slightly getting the full picture on where this plan is headed. If you can even call it a decent plan. "Medium...as in spirit channeling..seance.."

Yukimura nodded. They were currently in his personal office inside the campus. Oh yes. Yukimura has his personal office. Renji once spent a full 6 months finding out how it was all possible when even the president of their student council have to settle to a joint room along with the rest of the officers.

He never got an answer. He stopped trying.

"I'll do most of the acting. Niou and I will. You and Jackal make sure to keep Akaya at bay. He'll try to escape. You're the guards."

Renji opened his mouth to say something but Yukimura raised a finger, stopping him. "Take notes. I'd like the specifics covered perfectly."

The data specialist obliged, bringing out his notebook and pen, ready for whatever Yukimura demands. He wasn't even yet sure if he agrees to all of these. But for the sake of peace, he'll have to get things written down first.

"Sanada is in charge of the sound effects and-"

"Wait,..Sanada agreed?" The surprise was obvious on the data master's voice and Yukimura just arched a brow.

"Not yet. But he will."

"Seiichi, I don't think Sanada-"

"Oh yes, he WILL agree. I'll take care of that. Now you go tell Marui and Yagyuu to buy some props. No cakes. This is Halloween. Lollipops with vampire or pumpkin themes are fine." Yukimura stopped frowning while in thought. "..and we need masks.. And candles too."

Renji scribbled down on his notes as fast as he can before finally raising his head to face their captain. "Seiichi..all of these things...well...we're doing it when?"

Yukimura cleared his throat and stood up. "Tomorrow night. Now make the arrangements. Sanada and I will go shopping for the costumes," he started while stomping out. "One more thing. Look for metal straps. And tranquilizers."

Renji frowned.

"Safety precautions."

And with that he's off.

The costumes, as it turned, were nothing short of fancy and dazzling for a darker, bizarre celebration such as Halloween. Renji sighed and looked at the list, which supposedly should contain the specifics on what he needs to do on all of the items sprawled on his bed.

Why his bed? Because Yukimura insisted he does the safekeeping. And when Yukimura insists, no one - just NO ONE -could ever deny him. Not even Sanada. Yes, Sanada agreed to handle the sound effects. Renji didn't want to know how Yukimura persuaded the stoic vice-captain.

And then the list: (Yukimura's list)

Yukimura Seiichi

- witch +brooms

Sanada Genichirou

- traditional samurai costume + sword, real not wooden

Yagyuu Hiroshi

- Tuxedo + pumpkin head + candle

Niou Masaharu

- vampire +...actually leave Niou to his own.

Marui Bunta

- He insisted that he's going with a giant cake outfit.

Jackal Kuwahara

- monk outfit + crystal ball

Renji Yanagi

- Casper

Kirihara Akaya

- baby black cat + don't forget the cat ears! And the whiskers and paws.

Renji sighed. Now where does he start?

-Early the next morning -

Ring...

Riing...

Riiinnnnggg!

Tezuka lazily rolled on his stomach and reached out for his phone on the bedside table, still with his eyes closed, clearly unwilling to wake up. So whoever is calling him at this time of the day better have something extremely important.

"Hai..." he answered almost in a whisper.

"Oh..bedroom voice. Lovely!.." Tezuka frowned at the familiar shrill voice on the other line. "Am I too early for our morning chat?"

The Seigaku tennis captain reached out for his glasses which he always placed beside his phone and put it on. He glance at the digital clock on his right that said 3:05 am. "Way to early, actually. What's up."

"No good mornings?"

Tezuka yawned. "Good morning, Seiichi."

"Right..now you see, I have a special treat to Akaya and I'd like to ask for the best idea on how to scare him."

"Scare him?"

"Yup!"

"I'm not sure, but wouldn't that be rude? I thought it's a treat."

Yukimura shrugged. "It's a Rikkai thing. Well now, your suggestion?"

The stoic buchou didn't even have to think for his answer. "Tell him your removing him off the regulars line-up."

There was silence on the other line.

"Seiichi?'

"I can't do that. Last time I did he cried the whole night, he lost his voice the day after. Thanks anyway."

And the phone went dead.

"While ore-sama thinks that Halloween parties are way too childish, I appreciate your respect for showing the decency to call me for suggestions," Atobe said. He was currently enjoying a relaxing massage therapy when Yukimura called.

Yukimura rolled his eyes on the rhetoric. "So..what do you think?"

"I can lend you one of my castles in Spain. They all have dungeons. Drug him and trap him inside one of those. We remove all the lights, no food, just water...for let's say...a week. And Kabaji can stay with him."

"I said scare, not torture."

Atobe smiled. "Sounds the same to me."

"Forget it."

So at the end of the day, after asking 12 people in total, all from different schools, Yukimura decided to gather the Rikkaidai tennis regulars for a short briefing.

"Buchouuu..." Kirihara started, with an audible shake on his normally, sharp voice. "Anou...I know Halloweens are supposed to be scary..but perhaps there are better ideas than this?"

Yukimura looked at the rest "Better ideas, anyone?"

Everyone remained silent. Yukimura inwardly giggled. Of course there's no other idea. He made sure the rest understood as well.

"Well Akaya-kun...seems like everyone is on board on calling out for the spirit of the mighty Sanada Yukimura."

He saw Kirihara's face which was close to tears. "But...but.."

"You're not actually telling me that you're scared, are you?" There was an edge to Yukimura's voice, a cold, steely breeze that run chills to their spine.

Before the 2nd year ace could respond, Sanada stood up. "We will summon the spirit of the mighty Sanada Yukimura! No excuses! Anyone who disobeys isn't fit to be a regular. Our honor is at stake! We shall face and conquer!"

Everyone stifled a giggle. Even Renji faked a cough to hide the burst of laughter. Everyone except for Kirihara Akaya who was now fighting the urge to cry and sob at the same time.

He knew Halloweens are supposed to be scary. He believed Rikkaidai to be the strongest. Still..

Why do they need to summon a ghost?

SY: Hmmm...it's supposed to be a one-shot story. But well, see you on the 2nd chapter!