A.N. hello again! This chapter was written as like an information thing… so it is set 2 weeks before the pervious chapter… if that makes any sense at all. I forgot to explain the warnings last time so I will do it here, it is rated like it is because people have different ideas on how language should be rated in fiction, so I just covered all of my bases, there is also some violence, mainly in this chapter. the lyrics are Anyone for Tennis by Eric Clapton Disclaimer: I do not and will never own Prince of Tennis or Anyone for Tennis (sobs) enjoy.
Chapter 2 – Two weeks ago (A.K.A. Anyone for Tennis)
"Game and set," a voice boomed over the loudspeaker, "Echizen wins 6-1"
Blue eyes peered up from underneath a white baseball cap "you still have lots more to work on"
"Why you little!" came a shout from a tall, blond haired boy as he advanced towards the net, tennis racket raised, ready to strike.
"Player Hensley, restrain yourself!" called the referee, as he started climbing down from his chair, intent on protecting the younger player.
Turning to glare at the referee, Hensley spat on the ground, "whatever"
Striding off tennis court, Hensley walked up to Echizen, who had already exited the court and was taking a long drink from the sinks "you wont get away with this you little brat"
"Really" Echizen said, turning to face Hensley, smirk firmly in place "I thought I just did."
Letting out a low growl like an animal, Hensley leaned in close to Echizen's face, "you're going to regret the day that you even thought of beating William Hensley the third"
Scoffing slightly, Echizen turned and started to walk away "of corse I will"
"Asshole" spat Hensley, as he turned and started off back towards his team, growling insults under his breath as he went.
"Hay Echizen!"
Smirking softly, Echizen turned to face the second disturbance since the match ended.
"What do you want Wong?"
Placing a look of fake shock and hurt on his face, Michael Wong, one of Echizen's friends and classmates, said "just caught the end of your game, being such a good friend, I got out of bed this morning and came all the way down here to cheer you on, and you treat me like that, I was only saying congrats"
"Yep"
"You have no feelings do you?" asked Michael, giving up on his sad act and letting out a laugh
"Nope, I'm emotionally void"
"I knew it" said Michael shaking his head jokingly, "I knew it"
(--)
'Twice upon a time in the valley of the tears
An auctioneer is bidding for a box of fading years'
The rain would not stop falling. It was not the fact that it was raining that bothered Echizen; it was rather the fact that it was that cold, heavy kind. The kind of rain that made the clouds block out all light. The kind of rain that, usually, Echizen enjoyed. But not today. Today it was annoying.
'And the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?'
Turning from the main street, Echizen noticed that the smaller lain was not as brightly lit, there was no lamp posts decorating the walkway and there was no hangover from the houses to block the pounding rain. Shivering slightly Echizen picked up the pace, wanting to get home before freezing to death.
'And the ice creams are all melting on the streets of bloody beer
While the beggars stain the pavements with fluorescent Christmas cheer'
Hearing the splashing of other footsteps, Echizen moved over on the footpath, closer to the buildings, intent on letting those behind pass.
'And the Bentley-driving guru is putting up his price
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?'
Suddenly, hands came out of the darkness from behind and grabbed Echizen around the neck. Starting from surprise, Echizen's hands flew to the arm that was now her windpipe.
"I told you that you that you would regret the day you beat William Hensley the third"
'And the prophets in the boutiques give out messages of hope
With jingle bells and fairy tails and blind colliding scopes'
Echizen was frozen. Whether it was because of the fear pumping throughout Echizen's body or the lack of oxygen could not be determined by Echizen's frazzled mind.
The rain continued to pound down on to the small group of now congregated in the darkened alleyway. Slowly, as if in slow motion, the right fist of William Hensley flew up and collided with Echizen's nose.
'And you can tell they're all the same underneath the pretty lights,
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't it be nice?'
Immediately, the blood started to pour, hot, sticky and wet from Echizen's nose. A resounding crack echoed through the alley.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you," gasped Echizen, loosing the battle of consciousness "that you should never hit a girl"
'The yellow Buddhist monk is burning brightly in the zoo
You can bring a bowl of rice and then a glass of water too'
"If you acted like one" Hensley spat as he watched his gang continue to beat and kick the defenceless girl on the ground "we would treat you like one"
Turning on his heal, He signalled to his gang that they had to leave. And with that William Hensley the third left Masaru Echizen, twin sister to Ryoma Echizen, on the streets of Paris to die.
'And fate is setting up the chessboard while death rolls out the dice
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?'