A/N: It has been quite long since I wrote a multi-chaptered fanfic...and to tell the truth, I am quite uncertain of posting this one for it seems as if I've forgotten how to write one at all. Still...I am writing stories for all of you to read, am I not? The idea makes me personally happy as well. So...as usual...enjoy, read between the lines, and please review. Review about anything and on any way...JUST REVIEW.
Warning(s): Shounen-ai or boyxboy relationship. Can't tolerate it - don't read. It's that simple. This fiction will be appropriately be rated-T for certain contents on upcoming chapters (e.g. language and plot) and may change with regards to changes in the story line IF anyone would be so willing as to read and review. Grammar flaws and mispelled words are to be expected as well (they are very inevitable) and before I forget: OOC. For Klappy is now a self-proclaimed queen of OOCness. lol
This story also belongs to the AU or Alternate Universe category. Same characters, but an entirely different setting.
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis or Tennis no Oujisama and its characters belong to Takeshi Konomi. But this story and its plot are rightfully mine.
A SHINOBI'S VERDICT
A life for a life...A soul for a soul...Everything has its equal...Everything has its rule...
Follow those that are worth following. Value those that are worth of value. Respect those that are worth respect.
Intimidate those that deserve intimidation. Defeat those that deserve defeat. Seek revenge for those worthy for it.
Give worth to those worthy of it.
This is a shinobi's verdict.
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Heavy rain poured down from the ashen gray sky. For those that kept track of time, it had probably been six long hours since the downpour began.
The fierce wind that raged through the area forcefully bent the trees to their sides, until they could not endure it anymore and finally be uprooted from the ground. Thunder growled as that of a savage beast across the dark heavens, and lightning constantly streaked through the black clouds, apparently seeming like cracks above. But this dreadful scene outside...was not given of much importance at all.
"Echizen? Are you in there?"
Soft knocks on the wooden door were muffled by the ear-splitting sound of windows simultaneously flapping against the wooden wall, echoing inside a small dark room. The motion of the door opening with a small creak went unnoticed as well.
A silhoutte of a young boy huddled on one corner of the room was then illuminated by the occurence of another flash of lightning, before unforgiving shadows reswallowed said boy's form. Only bright golden eyes remained visible in the absence of light. The exquisite orbs held an expression of one that was deeply immensed in thought, completely oblivious to everything.
Various emotions swam endlessly in those clear pools of gold. He felt bothered, confused, and very annoyed. And he hated it. And then...
Anger and anxiety will slowly creep in. Why? He definitely had no clue. And then here comes the feeling of loneliness. The reason? Still unknown.
"Echizen...? Oi...Echizen."
Questions clouded his mind - questions which answers he continually searched for. He knew that until those answers were found, those emotions would never leave him. And all he could do was to huddle in a corner and hug his knees like a scared little boy, wishing that they all would just go away. It was always like this...
Always like this when the rain falls.
"ECHIZEN!"
The sudden interruption managed to put a stop to Ryoma's seemingly undying train of thoughts and the emotions swimming in his eyes vanished in an instant. Ryoma's troubled features were then replaced by the stoical Echizen's. Apparently, he did not want anyone to perceive what he was thinking just recently. But when he realized who it was that shouted at him, he knew it was already too late. "H-Hai...Momo-senpai?" Ryoma replied, his voice slightly faltering.
"Ah...this is the third time today, Echizen. You can't excuse yourself out of it this time." Momoshiro grinned at him, a triumphant glint flashed across those amethyst orbs. Ryoma just rolled his eyes and replied nonchalantly, "I'm fine."
"Stubborn liar." Momoshiro narrowed his eyes at him. He knew Ryoma more than anyone else; he knew whether the boy was hiding something or not. And this time, he knew the boy was. "You know you can tell me anything, Echizen. C'mon..."
"I'm fine." Ryoma repeated in the same way, much to Momoshiro's annoyance. And before Ryoma knew, Momoshiro already had him in a tight headlock, the older lad ruffling his hair violently. "H-Hey! Senpai!? Cut it off! Let go--!" When Momoshiro did let go of him, he swung his arm to hit his senpai, but the latter just blocked it with his arm. Momoshiro grabbed Ryoma's arm tightly, lifted the boy off of his feet and threw him to the other side of the room. Ryoma was quick though, that instead of hitting the wall, he bounced off of it and landed on the floor without the slightest sound - just like a cat.
Ryoma scowled when Momoshiro gave him his usual lopsided grin. "Tsk...tsk...tsk..." Momoshiro shook his head in disappointment. "See? Something's wrong. You wouldn't usually give me a chance to throw you like that. Or at least let me take a hold of you."
"Che" was the boy's only reply as he got up and fixed his self. He then approached the window and intended to close it. But...
Rain was still pouring outside; he even felt it splatter against his skin when the wind changed its direction. There was already a small stream formed because of the downpour, he noticed, and if it would continue to last for the whole day, they would have more than just a little stream. Unfortunately, the rain did not show any signs of ending; that it would last longer and maybe...it would never end at all.
"Man...and I was planning to wrestle a bear today or something. Looks like I'd have to reschedule, ne?"
Ryoma blinked. Baka. He mentally scolded himself after he realized he was 'spacing out' again. He received the questioning glance the other sent him, but he only gave Momoshiro a simple nod and closed the window, blocking off the rain but not completely.
"Ah...I almost forgot. Buchou wants to see you. He said something about a mission or something." Momoshiro said while waving his hands sluggishly in front of him. "Oi, Echizen. Tell him to let me come with you, all right?" He grinned widely at Ryoma.
"Ok." Ryoma replied plainly and exited the room, leaving Momoshiro alone inside Ryoma's room.
The sound of the rain pounding hard against the roof echoed inside the small room. During normal days, this room would look simple yet very organized: a small futon would be neatly spread out on the floor, a desk stood on a corner with books piled on top of it, and a small drawer that contained Ryoma's clothes was placed beside it. But now...
The room was unsually dark - not the usual darkness because there was no source of light, no. This darkness held unspoken emotions: anxiety, grief, doubt...It was filled with poignancy.
Momoshiro sighed as he reopened the window. It was still raining, of course, and it seemed to be raining harder than it earlier was. He then just sat there and watched. He did not know why but...
Every time it would rain, Ryoma's room would change. And every time it did, Ryoma would too.
That stupid Echizen. He knows he can't hide anything from me. I'd just have to force it out of him a little more-- Huh?
Large, bright blue eyes stared at him, not blinking even once. What the--? Those eyes seemed familiar but they were not. That was the first time he saw those eyes, and what was surprising was that he saw them in Ryoma's room. He knew he was already alone since Ryoma had left. Or was he?
The large eyes blinked and then...Momoshiro heard a soft purr.
"A...cat?" Momoshiro blinked; he was still staring intently at those eyes. "...there's a cat in Echizen's room...?"
A/N: It's short, it's short, I know. And yes...this is an AU. And I am sure it is pretty obvious what kind of universe they are in.
Thank you to ladyraiah - my bez - for reading this thing first and encouraging me to post it. X3 Meow...
I definitely had a hard time trying to get Momoshiro into character. It's not a walk in the park, I guarantee. Partly, because this is my first attempt to use the other PoT characters (the proof is my other PoT fic with only the Thrill pair included in the scenario). And I am pretty sure it would be the same with the other characters. Sigh...
Still, I admit I had fun writing this. I'm currently trying to improve my writing style...somehow. And yes...I'll be taking it slow. :) I hope you enjoyed reading this; if not - kindly tell me. Because this chapter will serve as a basis whether I would continue to write the rest of the story or not. In other words...
Don't forget to REVIEW. Ja.