Alright as a promised here is another new chapter to The New Kid. Im happy to see people interested in my characters, I hope not to disappoint. J

~~The Search~~

The next day at practice~~

"Hey everyone!.. Ryoma and me have some news on the mystery guy." said Momo with a very accomplished grin. "Reeeeaaallly?" said Eiji "What did you found out on that mystery ochibi?"

"Not now, after practice we will dicuss," replied Tezuka "20 LAPS EVERYONE, freshman set up nets"

~~hours later~~

After the clean up only the Regulars stayed behind to dissuss, they all found themselves waiting for the information.

"Well, go ahead, we are all ears for you story" said Oishi "Alright so what happened…" Momo told te whole story about getting lost and finding the shop, meeting the boy named Kiri that seems to have a connection but probably wont talk.

"Then we should beat it out of him, fssh." said Kaidoh. "Now now, going at him like that would just make Phoenix our enemy. Its true that he may be hiding something, but he is doing it because they are probably close friends" replied Fuji

"Its too bad we don't have the ball anymore." said Takashi "but with his name we could find him right. Inui? Everyone looks at Inui-san who was already on his laptop blazing through the internet. "I have yet to find any 'Phoenix' in any school data base," said Inui

"Maybe it's a cover name?" said Eiji. "Its doesn't sound like a common Japanese name, maybe he is from America like Echizen." said Momo. Everyone turns to Echizen with anticipation. "Nope, sorry never heard of him, but then again I never really remember anyone." said Echizen coolly.

"Ok its getting late, we will leave Inui to search the schools, just don't do anything illegal." said Tezuka half worried.

Everyone went home their own way, said their friendly goodbyes hopping for more information soon.

Next Morning~~

"Ooooohaaaayooo", Fuji~San" yelled Eiji happily. They were on their way to school only about 4 blocks away. "Ohayo Eiji, You seem happy this morning" "Yup, I had a great breakfast, so I know its going to be a GREAT~~ Day." "That's great to hear" smiled Fuji

The two regulars walked to school with smiles and passed these two thug looking characters.

"Can you believe Koji lost against that silver eyed brat yesterday?"

"I know, but he was really good at playing, I couldn't even see the ball sometimes."

"Yeah, but Koji is really mad, and wants a rematch tomorrow."

"He is just mad that even when he was cheating he couldn't win."

"Excuse me, but you wouldn't be talking about a kid named Phoenix? Would u?" asked Fuji with a innocent smile.

"Why you know him? He has been causing a lot of trouble on the public courts" Thug 1

"Is that so? Do you know were to find him?" Fuji

"No, that guy just comes around once, beats every body up and you don't see him again for weeks. But my boss found his accomplice and now Phoenix had to come" Thug 3

"What accomplice?" asked Eiji

'Don't know, some nerdy guy named… I think its was Kiri?" Thug 2

"I see thank you, lets go Eiji" said Fuji

"Why did we leave Fuji, we didn't get enough information." complained Eiji

"No we got enough, we need to tell Tezuka and the others about this" replied Fuji "Anyways we need to hurry, or we will be late to school"

"Fuji, did we only leave because you don't want to tarnish you perfect attendance?" questioned Eiji

Fuji only gave a innocent smile in return to the comment, and hurried off to school.

~~During practice~~

"Tezuka, I need to tell you about what happened this morning" said Fuji

"Go on, im listening"

Fuji told Tezuka of the 3 thugs and Where the Phoenix Kid would be tomorrow.

"I see, well their isn't much we could do about it. Its none of our concern if he gets into a fight right," said Tezuka

"But Senpai…." Echizen come from around the corner with Momo they were alittle embarrassed to be caught listening in "…. we cant just let im go into a fight can we?

"We have no real connection with him, going may only cause trouble, not to mention the trouble we could get into if the school finds out"

"Phoenix saved us why cant we save him" (other team mates began to crowd around the argument by now)

"That was a much different situation, I wont allow my team to get into trouble" "but-" "Enough!" shouted Tezuka "What I say goes, Momo, Echizen promise me that both of you will not go to the fight!"

"…I promise" said Momo ashamed

"ECHIZEN?"

"I promise" whispered echizen.

"Good, now 25 laps everyone,"

"AWWWWW" yelled all the freshmen as they dropped their thing to run their laps. "50, for complaining"

Practice went own, everyone cleaned up and headed home, tried and hungry. But Momo and Echizen went home with sour feeling and regret.

The next day~~ Practice

"Oishi and I have captains meeting today, seeing how all of you are sore from yesterdays practice, todays practice is cancels, go home and rest. Tomorrow will be a tough day" said Tezuka

Tezuka and Oishi began to leave, Tezuka glanced at Echizen with a warning look and left.

Echizen began to pack his things in silence, Echizen felt a light tap of someone's hands on his shoulder.

"Its ok Echizen, Tezuka is only worried about your safety." said Fuji

"I know, but can we really just let that kid get into a fight, and the Kiri kid, did he get into trouble because of me and Momo?" replied Echizen

"I see, you are feeling guilty.' said Takashi

Echizen turned to see everyone's eyes on him. Everyone had a very warm smile of encouragement.

"Echizen, don't worry, we are going to help Phoenix and Kiri." said Eiji

"But we will get into trouble" said Momo

"Its ok, because if we all go together, we will all get in trouble together.' replied Eiji

"we don't even know were to go find them" said Echizen

"on the contrary" said Inui "rumors have spread about the match with Phoenix and Koji, it will be at 6 at Toshi park courts."

'Its already 5:30, if we hurry, we will make it." smiled Fuji "Everybody ready"

"HI,FSSSH,YUP,YES" everyone cheered as they raced to Toshi Park.

Me~ wow the story is developing quiet nicely wouldn't you say Phoenix?

Phoenix~ -silence-

Me~ come on it very nice of them to want to help you

Phoenix~ -silence/glare-

Me~ What about you Kiri what do you thing about this

Kiri~ Phoenix believes they will only get in the way, I agree Phoenix can handle this by himself

Me~ AWW! Your so lucky to have a friend who things do highly of you Phoenix

Phoenix~ 'turns and walks away'

Me: wait! You cant just leave! I brought you into this word! I can take you out!

~~till next time~~