Learning it all over again A Prince of Tennis Fanfiction.
"Hah look at the kid! Hit him some more!" A voice laughed from the court up the stairs. Turning to look upwards towards the court, Ryoma shielded his eyes against the dying light. Narrowing his eyes he started up the stairs, planning to teach a few lessons to the people abusing tennis.
Three teenagers stood around a boy of eight, the boy was crouched in the fetal position his hands over his head to protect from the rackets that were aiming at his head. Ryoma saw red, swiftly bringing his racquet from his bag he grabbed a discarded ball of the ground. Tossing it up he aimed for the tallest boy's head.
His head snapping forward the blonde boy turned around, upon seeing Echizen his mouth curled into a nasty smirk, "Look what we have here boys, a little twerp." The others turned around to look at Ryoma as well.
"Leave the kid alone." Ryoma said, his voice low, he raised his head and stared into the eyes of the blonde.
"Who are you to tell us what to do, brat?" The tallest spat out, glaring at Ryoma, he raised his racquet in his hand to point it at Ryoma.
"Someone who'll defeat you." Ryoma smirked at the angered expression on the blonde's face.
"You have nerve kid! I challenge you to a match! Saburo you be the chair umpire." He said to the boy on his left, the boy nodded and went to sit in the chair.
"Fine, I'll end this match in three minutes." Ryoma said turning around.
Picking up the ball in the middle of the court he looked at the blonde boy at the other end, tossing the ball over to him he smirked, "You serve first." With that he turned around and walked to the base line. Getting into position Ryoma stared at the blonde boy as he threw the ball up and sent it hurtling towards Ryoma. Moving to the side quickly he brought his racquet up and swung it easily at the ball, sending it quickly back. Smashing into the ground just before the base line, Ryoma smirked.
"F-Fifteen-love" Said the umpire, his voice shaking a little.
Again the blonde boy served the ball and just as easily Ryoma hit it back, this time though the blonde boy hit it back, his ball just sailing over the net, Ryoma sprinted to catch up to it, just reaching it in time he sent it back as a lob. The blonde boy jumped up to hit it, his racquet swinging up to return the felt covered ball when his racquet slipped from his slippery hands, sailing towards the net post the raquet snapped in half. The strings flailing they landed harmlessly away from them, while the handle flew out and hit Ryoma, who was still on the ground. Letting out a cry as he felt the edges of the handle cut his face, he felt blood running down his face, not opening his eyes he tried to stand but found himself unable as his arms were shaking and weak.
"What did you do! W-we have to do something!" One of the boys called frantically. The one boy, must have been the blonde one, snarled, "No! Just leave him, he was going to get beaten anyways this is his retribution!" Even at his words Ryoma heard them leaving the courts at a run. Slowly trying to open his eyes Ryoma last saw the courts fading from his vision, all he was left with was a hazy world of light.
Swallowing his pride and fear Ryoma called out, "Help!" He heard a sound of small light steps across the ground.
"Mister! Mister you're hurt! What can I do!" Said what must have been the boy that the teenagers had been abusing.
"Just, just go find someone." Ryoma said quietly, turning his face towards the sound.
"Okay mister! I'll be right back, stay here!" He heard the boy running across the ground. His fear overtaking him now as he tried his eyes again. Nothing, just hazy he knew it was light, but if he didn't know it, he wouldn't know that he was on a tennis court. Surely...surely the doctors could do something right? They were supposed to fix these sorts of things. He'd be able to play tennis. They'd fix him. He'd be able to see again. All he felt though was pain across his eyes, the handle must have hit across both his eyes, causing them to bleed. He felt the blood running down his face, warm, wet. The stuff that kept him alive. Laying down slowly Ryoma closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly as he felt panic start to overtake him.
Kunimitsu PoV
"Mister! Mister! Help!" A frantic voice called Kunimitsu Tezuka from his thoughts. Looking down he saw a boy about eight running down the stairs leading to the tennis courts. The boy saw him and ran towards his sides heaving. "Mister!...There's...a...boy...he's...he's hurt!" The boy said, his words coming out in pants.
Looking at the boy closely, he truly seemed in a panic. Nodding Kunimitsu put a hand on the younger boys shoulder to stop his babbling, "Where is he?" He said calmly.
The boy pointed, his hand shaking, "In the tennis courts!" He began to pull on Kunimitsu's hand, up the stairs with him. Following the boy, Kunimitsu took in the scene, there lying near the net of court one was a boy, a broken handle lay near with blood spattered on the ground. His eyes settling on the boy he took in the familiar jacket that he himself put on every day. The only person that small off of the regular's was Echizen. Echizen! The boy was Echizen! Quickly moving forward he was startled when he heard Echizen speak.
"Who are you?" Echizen turned his head to look at him, what? He couldn't see me? His eyes widened even more as he took in his kohai's face. Blood was dripping from his eyes, a long cut ran from his left eyes to his right. He can't see me!
"Echizen...it's Tezuka." He saw the boy relax slightly; moving forward Kunimitsu touched his arm to show him where he was. "I'm going to help you up; we're going to the hospital Echizen." He slowly put his right arm underneath Echizen's left shoulder, helping his to his feet. Bending slightly he said again, "Just lean on me, we're going to go down the stairs to the nearest house and get a call to your family. The hospital is too far away to walk."
"Fine. I know I'm pathetic." Echizen said, his voice holding hatred. Must be for his lack of sight.
"You're just injured. Now. Come." He said, forcefully pulling Echizen forwards. Reluctantly Echizen started to lean on Kunimitsu, his legs shaking slightly. Sighing quietly so the boy wouldn't hear him, he had a feeling if he heard it he'd get angry. But this boy, who played tennis like it was an art, he might not ever be able to play again, Echizen probably would have been one of the youngest pro players out there if he would have continued to play.
They were at the stairs, just as Echizen's foot went into the open air, expecting there to be more ground he pulled back quickly. Kunimitsu cursed his mistake, he should have told him. Making a split second decision Kunimitsu crouched down more, "Echizen, it'll be easier for both of us if you get on my back."
He felt Echizen stiffen, "No, I'm not getting on your back."
"It's either that, or I carry you bridal style. You get to keep your pride while on my back." He said, smirking as he talked of pride. He knew Echizen had a big pride.
"Fine." Was all he heard before he crouched down in front of Echizen. He felt Echizen's hands go up his back to wrap around his throat. His arms behind him he wrapped them around the backs of Echizen's knees before standing up, lifting the light boy with him.
Ryoma PoV
Shutting his eyes tightly, the pain lanced through them. He didn't want to open his eyes though, he didn't want to face the truth. Then he felt Tezuka moving. They were going to go done the stairs. Unconsciously Ryoma tightened his grip, he didn't want to fall, and he'd be even more lost then he was now.
Before he knew it, they were on the ground again. Loosening his grip on Tezuka, he tried to be let down, but Tezuka kept a firm grip on his legs, "Tezuka...let me down."
"No, this is easier." Tezuka said, walking forward. Ryoma mentally glared at him as he gave up and rested his face against Tezuka's back. His mind slowly slipping into unconsciousness
"Echizen, we're here." A voice broke through Ryoma's sleep. What? He fell asleep? Looking up startled, he opened his eyes, but just a hazy landscape met him, he couldn't tell shapes, or colour or anything, only that is was still light out.
"Where's here, Tezuka?" He ground out, his voice angry. Not at Tezuka, at his own stupid mistake.
"Hospital." He felt Tezuka stiffen, and then he was walking again, presumably into the aforementioned building.
Kunimitsu PoV
Carrying his kohai through the sliding doors, he caught the attention of the doctor who was passing through the library. The doctor noticing Echizen rushed right over, his eyes wide as he took in the blood still falling from Echizen's eyes.
"What happened? Come with me, right now. Umeko get a gurney, follow us." The doctor said, saying orders as a nurse joined us on our quick walk through the hospital hallways. The doctor lead us through hallways until opening a door, "Lay him on the bed in here. We have to do some tests to see what we can do. There is a waiting room to the right if you are going to stay." Said the man, showing him a room that had a metal bed for Echizen, and medical requirement everywhere.
Crouching down I felt Echizen's hands leave my throat, and slide down my back, letting him onto the ground, turning around quickly, he saw his legs shake slightly threatening to buckle but grabbing onto the bed and keeping himself steady. Then using his hands Echizen lifted himself up onto the bed and laid down. He turned his head towards me, "Thank you."
He nodded, "I'll be in the waiting room." Looking at him for a second I spun around and left the room.
Walking down the hallway Kunimitsu passed a phone, pausing slightly he decided to call Echizen's family. They could be here for him, picking up the phone he heard the dial tone. Then realizing that he didn't even know the number to call, looking underneath in the cupboard beneath the phone he noticed a phone book. There he found Echizen's home phone number. Quickly punching in the number he heard it ring as a female voice answered, "Hello, you've reached the Echizen household."
Clearing his voice Kunimitsu spoke into the phone, "Hello, I am Kunimitsu Tezuka. I am Ryoma's captain on the tennis club and currently Ryoma is in the hospital because of a tennis accident."
Hearing a gasp on the other line, Kunimitsu waited for the woman to come back, "Ryoma is in the hospital?" A man's voice this time, must be his father...
"Yes, a tennis accident has caused what may be permanent damage to his eyes." He said, his voice steady.
"Okay. Thank you, we'll be there right away." The man said, hanging up the phone.
Sighing Kunimitsu continued onto the waiting room, he'd wait for Echizen's family there. Then wait for the results on Echizen's eyes.
Ten minutes later, two people walked into the waiting room, a couple. The man, apparently recognizing him as the captain, walked over to him. "Is there anything yet? Tell me what happened." The man said, standing in front of him. Kunimitsu looked at the man, from what he had heard this man was as so close to pro that he could get there easily but gave it up for his son, he was supposedly brash, cocky, arrogant, but is seemed when it came to his son he was as serious as it got.
"I was walking when a boy came up to me asking for help, he had said that during a tennis match someone had gotten hurt. So I followed the boy to help, it turns out that it was Echizen...excuse me, Ryoma. During the match it seemed that the handle of a racquet had broken and had flown into Ryoma's face, cutting across his eyes. He was bleeding profusely when I arrived. I carried him here as he was unable to stand by himself. From what I know, he was unable to see at all."
The man nodded, his wife behind him stepped forward, "I'm Rinko Echizen Ryoma's mother, and this is Nanjiro his father. Thank you for being there for Ryoma." Rinko bowed her head in thanks. I nodded at her. They both sat down near me to wait for the inevitable.
It wasn't for another twenty minutes that the doctor who had seen Kunimitsu first, came out. Seeing him Kunimitsu stood up, followed by Nanjiro and Rinko. Gesturing for the three of them to follow the doctor led them into a office. Sitting behind the desk, he waited for the three of them to sit.
"I assume you are the boy's parents?" He asked, looking at Rinko and Nanjiro. They both nodded. Continuing the doctor looked grim, "We did many tests and as much as we could to help his eyes, but in there end there wasn't much we could do. From what we have gathered all he can see is light, as in the ability to tell if it is night or day. Not shapes, colors or anything of that sort. It was a cut that crossed across the cornea and into the retina causing him to lose sight in both eyes. I am sorry to tell you that there is no chance that he will ever see again. There is too much damage." The doctor's eyes were sad as he looked at them. Hearing a gasp and a sob from his right he looked at Rinko, whose head was in her hands. The doctor stood, catching their attention, "My name is Osamu, please if you ever need someone to see his eyes, come and contact me. Your son is in room 134. He is currently unconscious, when he wakes up you can take him home if he is up to it. He is to keep the bandages around his eyes until the bleeding stops, whenever the bleeding has soaked through the bandages, please replace them. Now I'm sorry but I have another patient I must attend to."
Watching the doctor as he left the room, Kunimitsu stood, followed by Nanjiro and Rinko. Leaving the office they started towards Ryoma's room, pausing slightly, he decided to let the family have their time together, "Excuse me, but I must be going. I will see Echizen when he is able to return to school. I hope that he will be able to recover well." With that Kunimitsu turned around and left the hospital, his steps carrying him home. What is Echizen was never able to play tennis? What would the boy even do? He seemed to live and breath tennis.
Ryoma PoV
"Ryoma, oh Ryoma." He heard his mother cry out, he felt her grip tighten on his hand. She let out another cry. "Mum, I'm fine." He said softly, gently pulling his hand out of her grip.
"Ryoma! You're blind. You're not fine!" She said, grabbing his hand again. Ryoma winced as her grip tightened.
He felt the reality sink in, he wasn't able to see, "They can't fix it? Can I ever see again?" He asked, his voice strained.
"No, never again. Too much damage Ryoma."He heard his father's familiar voice. Turning his head towards the voice, he heard the sadness in his voice.
"I-I can't ever see?" He asked, cursing himself as he heard himself stammer. He'd never see a sunrise, or tennis…what was he going to do?
"I'm sorry Ryoma." He heard his mother's voice as she gripped his hand.
"When can I go home?" He asked, he wanted out of here. He could smell the disinfectant and it was sickening.
"The doctor said as soon as you feel able." His father said.
"I want to go home now." Ryoma said forcefully, pushing himself into a sitting position. Stopping for a second as the blood rushed back to his head, making his balance falter. Sitting for a second then throwing his legs over the side of the bed, he stood up. His legs threatening to collapse but he kept steady. Looking to where he had last heard his father's voice, "Can we go?" He asked, feeling his father's hand land on his shoulder. Leading him towards the door and down the hall, during the walk Ryoma brought his hand to his face to feel the bandages that were wrapped around his eyes. Right now he couldn't even tell light.
To the elevator they walked, through the lobby and to the car that was in the parking lot, Ryoma being led by his father the entire way. Is it always going to be like this? To be led everywhere?
When they reached their home, Ryoma's mum made him change his bandages before leaving him alone. Standing in the middle of his room Ryoma felt for his bed, quickly stripping down he crawled under the covers and laid there, Karupin lying on his feet.
It wasn't until morning that Ryoma awoke, opening his eyes all he saw was light, panic set in. Trying to see in front of him he threw his hands in front of his face. Then realizing that he'd never see himself again he laid back down, facing the ceiling. He could see the light; he knew it was morning at least. Probably early, he wasn't a very late sleeper. At least not lately when he had been getting up early for the morning tennis practice that Tezuka had been making them all go to.
Slowly sitting up, Ryoma put his feet over the edge of his bed and got up. He held his hands out before him as he went in the direction of his dresser. He felt it beneath his hands, then counting down the number of drawers he reached in and grabbed his uniform pants and shirt and finally underwear, he knew that his training clothes were in the locker room at Seigaku. Slowly he put on his clothes, getting his Regulars jackets from where he had hung it on a hook near his door. Putting on his jacket he zipped it up and grabbed his bag from where it sat on his chair.
His hand following the wall he went down the hall towards the kitchen where he knew his family would be. "Ryoma? You're up? Why are you ready to go! You possibly can't go now." His mother said. He heard her walk towards him then felt hands cup his face.
"Mum. I'm fine, I want to go to school. Can you please just change the bandages then I will go to school. There's nothing I can do at home anyways." He said, pulling away from her hands.
He heard his mother huff, "I won't get you to change your mind will you?" He shook his head, "Fine. But let your father drive you to school at least." It wasn't a question. He had no choice but to agree.
"Are you ready to go Ryoma?" He heard his father ask, Ryoma nodded, he then felt his dad's hand on his shoulder, "Okay, let's get going then." Ryoma felt his father's hand lead him out of their house. Walking in the direction that he was being led in Ryoma, felt the car ahead of him. Walking to the other side he opened the door and got in.
"Do you think I'll ever play tennis again?" He asked, turning to where he knew his dad was.
"Ryoma….that is up to you." Was all his father said, sighing Ryoma thought about his words. Maybe…maybe if he just practiced, he'd become even better. To rely only on his hearing and touch would put him higher then he was before. So even if he played Yukimura again, he could go without his sight.
"Ryoma, we're at your school." He heard his dad say, pulling him from his musings. Nodding Ryoma opened the door and got out of the car. His tennis and school bag with him. He felt a hand on his back, turning around he heard his father say, "Ryoma…just get through the day. If anything happens. Call me and I'll come and get you." He hadn't ever heard such words from his father, who was always pushing him. Now it seemed that even Ryoma couldn't be pushed anymore because of the loss of his sight.
Only nodding at his father's words Ryoma went to the school, a hand out in front of him. Would he really have to do this for the rest of his life?
Ryoma continued to walk, through the gate and into the school yard, when suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around him, "Ochibi!" Came Kikumaru's voice from behind him, he felt himself stiffen, Ryoma knew it was Kikumaru, but who was with him? They'd know something was wrong when they see the bandages.
Slightly nodding his head, Ryoma put his hands on Kikumaru's arms to get him to let go, "Kikumaru, let go." Ryoma said, pushing on his arms. He heard Kikumaru huff, but he let go.
"Fine ochibi, but why haven't you even greeted Oishi? Or Momo? Wait, what happened to your eyes!" Ryoma winced as he heard Kikumaru's voice rise up a few octaves.
"Accident. I'm sure Tezuka will talk about it." Ryoma said, walking forward quickly. He heard Kikumaru come up behind him.
"Ochibi? Where are you going? We have morning practice!" He felt a pair of hands land on his shoulders, turning him in the direction of the tennis courts. Ryoma felt his face heat up slightly. He didn't even know where the tennis courts were! How could he ever play tennis? He felt another hand land on his head, "Echizen…..what happened?" Ryoma heard Momoshiro say.
"Just ask Tezuka, he'll answer questions." Was all he said, walking away. He felt a pair of hands turn him.
"Let's just get you to the courts Ryoma." Oishi said, guiding Ryoma around the school to where the tennis club would meet
Kunimitsu PoV
Leaning against the wall Kunimitsy watched as members of his team arrives. It would only be Regular's today as two days a week in the morning it was only Regulars while the other three were the whole club.
Would Echizen even show up today? Most likely not, he was in bad shape last night. He nodded to Fuji who had just arrived on the courts. "Morning." Said Fuji, smiling slightly as he started to warm up.
"Kaido." Kunimitsu nodded at the glaring boy, he only got a grunt back.
"Morning, everyone." He heard the soft voice of Takashi say; nodding back Kunimitsu continued to watch for the rest of his team.
"Echizen, Eiji, Oishi and Momoshiro still aren't here?" Turning his head Kunimitsu saw Inui standing beside him adjusting his glasses.
"No, it seems that something is keeping them." He said, looking again at the entrance to the tennis courts. When they got here he should probably tell them all about Echizen's condition.
It was then that he noticed Eiji, who was walking backwards. He saw Momoshiro walking with him too, as Oishi seemed to be hidden by the two.
Watching them as they came closer, Kunimitsu saw that indeed Oishi was behind Momoshiro and Eiji, he seemed to be leading someone as well. Watching as Eiji turned around, he noticed his eyes widen as he stared at him before saying something to the trio and running up to him.
"Captain!" Eiji said, standing in front of him. Nodding his head Kunimitsu watched him curiously.
"Well, captain…we..er..Ochibi told us to ask you what happened to his eyes." He watched as Eiji fidgeted. He tell them? If Echizen told them to ask him then he has to be here. Casting a look back at the trio he saw that Echizen was being led by Oishi who had his hands on his shoulders. Echizen even had bandages covering his eyes.
Watching as Oishi led Echizen to a bench, he went over, "Here I thought you were to injured to attend, Echizen." He saw Echizen turn his face towards him.
"Can't give up on tennis, now can I?" He watched the boy smirk, even blind the boy was still as cocky and arrogant.
"Shall I explain to them then?" He asked, looking towards the waiting team members.
"You're the captain, are you not?" He glared at him, even if it did no good. Sighing silently, Kunimitsu turned towards the eight remaining team members.
"I'm only going to say this once. So listen all of you. Yesterday evening, I was walking and I saw Echizen in the tennis courts, he was bleeding from a cut on his eyes. I took him to the hospital and they said that he would never see again. Only able to tell if it's light or not, it is his own choice to choose to play tennis or not. That is all. Ask Echizen if you have any questions" He nodded to his stunned team mates.
One by one they came out of their stupor. Watching as Eiji ran up to Echizen and hugged him. Startling the boy who hadn't been listening. Inui was writing the data into his book.
"So Echizen is blind?" He heard Fuji ask, he had come to stand beside him. Nodding Kunimitsu looked at the boy in question.
"Yes, it seems so, if he ever comes back to tennis….it's up to him." Kunimitsu said, closing his eyes for a second as he felt a headache coming on, "Ten laps for everyone!" He said loudly, catching the attention of all the players.
He didn't notice the look that Oishi and Eiji shared as they turned away from Ryoma and followed the others around the court.
Hello~ I hope you enjoy my story~ If you would be so kind as to review that would be wonderful. I'm sorry if the characters are a bit OOC. I wrote them as how I see them, I'm sorry for any mistakes and if you spot any would you point them out to me? Thank you :) Now, I don't know who will read this but I have a tendency to write in spurts so write now I don't know where this story is going but I really like the idea of it so I'm in the mood for it, while maybe in a day or two I won't write for a bit, so I'll try my hardest to get a chapter up a week~ Enjoy! Thanks for reading!