Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

She is so weird…

Afallenheart: Thank you for staying with this story even over the looonnnggg wait…

RelativaMariposa: Thank you very much^^ I'm glad you liked it.

animephantom: Yeah we thought about that…but that would be too predictable…right?

edenforest1: Yeah…we love Karupin too…but it made for a good story…right?

Thank you all for your reviews!! We appreciate them very much!! I hope you keep reading and enjoy the story…

-Sarah

Chap.4

It had been almost three weeks since Karupin was put to sleep, but Ryoma's behavior had only mildly improved. It was about to time to put part three of the "Cheer up Ryoma" plan into action…but what was part three?

Momo, Kaidoh, and the ex-regulars gathered at Kawamura Sushi more often now, trying to come up with a way to cheer Ryoma up (including Tezuka). Ideas ranged from getting him a new cat to taking him on vacation away from the memories of Karupin. They finally came up with a plan…one Kikumaru would have to take care of.

After tennis practice Ryoma went straight home. He was tired and just wanted to relax. His body was sore as the tennis regulars had been challenging him non-stop the last few weeks, but more than anything his heart ached with loneliness.

"Tadaima…" Ryoma greeted as he entered his home.

"Okeari, Ryoma." Rinko said as she heard her son.

"Oi, Chibisuke!! Have a match with me!" Ryoga shouted from the next room to his little brother.

"Yadda…" Ryoma mumbled and walked up the stairs and to his bedroom. Now his family was truly worried and shocked. Ryoma never turned down a match, especially with his brother or father.

When Ryoma reached his room his room he gave a weary sigh and glanced around the room. He hadn't had the heart to throw away Karupin's toys, so they still layed around his room. These things only made Ryoma more lonely and hurt.

He sighed and set his things next to his door. He layed on his bed and let out yet another sigh. For a while he just layed there and stared at the ceiling. Ryoma knew he needed to come out of his slump, but he didn't know how.

He felt a vast emptiness inside of him and he didn't know how to fill it. Karupin was only one besides Tezuka that Ryoma could show his emotions to…his true self. Now Karupin was gone and Ryoma hardly got to see Tezuka anymore. So loneliness was beginning to flood his heart. He felt like he was in the middle of a large ocean with no way out and no one to save him. So it would indeed be an understatement to say that he was sad.

Ryoma finally got off his bed and walked over to his door. He rested his hand on the door knob for a while before turning it and walking out and back down the stairs.

"Ryoma…how are you feeling?" Rinko asked as she saw Ryoma standing at the base of the staircase.

"I'm fine…" Ryoma mumbled as he walked outside and sat on the back porch. He began to watch the Koi fish swim in their pond. Ryoma heard a knock and his mother greet someone at the door.

"Ryoma…your senpai is here to see you…" Rinko called out to Ryoma.

Ryoma turned around half hoping to see Tezuka, but he knew he would be disappointed. He was right, for it was Kikumaru that had come to visit. The thing that shocked Ryoma was what was in Kikumaru's arms. There was a small puppy asleep and content lying there.

"Ochibi!" Kikumaru grinned as he noticed the look on Ryoma's face as he looked at the puppy and he mistook it for a look of happiness, "Do you want to hold him?!"

Kikumaru didn't wait for an answer as he shoved the puppy into Ryoma's arms. With the transfer the puppy woke up and began to wag its tail and licked Ryoma's face. Ryoma was shocked and without thinking he jumped up. He had never been very fond of dogs. The puppy gave a yelp as it hit the ground, Kikumaru hadn't been able to catch it in time as they were to close to the ground.

The dog ran into the house after picking itself back up. Ryoma and Kikumaru just stood there for a moment, slightly confused at what had just happened. Then they heard a yell from inside that made them move.

"AHHHHH!! Who brought this mut into the house?! I'm going to kill it!! My poor poor precious magazines!!" Nanjiroh yelled from the guest room, where he kept his magazines pilled up.

"NO!! Don't hurt him!!" Kikumaru yelled after he heard Nanjiroh.

Once they reached the guest room Ryoma and Kikumaru stopped dead in their tracks. The sight that greeted them was just to much. Nanjiroh was chasing the dog in circles around the small room.

Ryoma gave a slight chuckle which stopped Nanjiroh dead in his tracks, and Kikumaru's grin to widen. They had made a little bit of progress.

"OCHIBI!!" Kikumaru glomped his kohai. Then he noticed the look Nanjiroh gave the poor puppy. He gave an eep, grabbed the dog, and ran out of the house.

To be continued!!

Read and review! Hope you enjoyed!

~Mizuki-sempai