HOWL!
The morning of the council meeting Ryoma was told that he was to do his first change there, Ryoma was mostly ok with it but what worried him the most was that he had to do change into a wolf for the first time in front of all of the pack leaders.
"You'll be ok Ryo," Ann said consolingly as they all piled into Fuji's SUV all in their Seigaku uniforms, for the boys it was the Seigaku shirt (Shown as the regulars tennis shirt in the anime) and a pair of black sports shorts, the girls uniform was the Seigaku shirt but as a sleeveless tank top version and a black sports skirt, all wearing plain white tennis shoes. They drove about ten miles down a barely used path and then had to park. Then they walked last 100 feet of dirt path into a huge clearing where nearly all of the werewolf packs in the world were all standing waiting for all of the packs to arrive, there are three open tennis courts and a platform.
"Hey look Seigaku has new pups," one girl from a Chinese pack said walking up and sniffing them along with the rest of the pack, it was mandatory for Sakuno to be seen by any pack that wanted to see her but what was annoying was the fact that the unmated males kept coming over and holding her extremely close to smell her, some unmated girls started to come to Ryoma, Ann wouldn't have it she snarled at anyone who came near him, Ryoma soon, to save Ann from killing anyone, undid the three buttons on his shirt and pulled out the collar to show his mating mark, this discouraged the females, but Sakuno was continuously hassled by males.
"Mmm, cinnamon, I might just challenge for you," a blonde male leader from an American group said, Sakuno whimpered, Yumiko stepped forward and steered Sakuno back to their group. Ryoma gulped as the council announced for him to come up, Tezuka led him up to the circle of pack leaders.
"Ryoma just breathe deeply and envision yourself as a wolf," Tezuka told him, Tezuka stepped back into his place, Ryoma envisioned it and poured his will power into becoming a wolf. He didn't change.
"Just try again and relax," a French accented leader said, Ryoma took a deep breath and envisioned it again, he felt pain stabbing at his sides as he transformed into a stunningly completely black wolf pup with gleaming gold eyes, he felt pain stab his sides and he whimpered ever so slightly. Ann, Momo, and Eiji who had been watching intently grimaced as they saw the pain in his eyes, they knew he would be in pain once he completed his first transformation but they weren't allowed to tell him, Ryoma whimpered as he tried to move, but still he broke into a run and ran right for the Seigaku group, Ann and Momo bent down to him, the other pack leaders seemed ok with his transformation and went on to a break.
With the Seigaku group about ten minuets after Ryoma's first change
A short, blonde haired, American pack leader came to them with Tezuka, as Ryoma transformed back into a human panting slightly and sitting on his butt, Ann holding his shoulders up in a comforting hug, Momo, Eiji, and Sakuno all sitting with them and talking to Ryoma. Fuji, Oishi, Takashi, Inui, Kaidoh, and Yumiko all hanging back talking about many things.
"You did great Ochibi, it took Momo here four hours to get it right then he couldn't figure out how to change back for another three days, ahahaha it was hilarious," Eiji said, Momo sweat dropped, Sakuno and Ann giggled and Ryoma smirked.
"Hn," was Ryoma only response, he had just seen the blonde pack leader approaching them, he stiffened. Ann felt him do so and looked up, her eyes hardened and she gave a cold glare to the American pack leader, which he ignored.
"Kevin Smith, nice to meet you," Kevin said to Ryoma holding out his hand convincing the others that this was indeed their first encounter, they are about the same age, Kevin being a half year older, Ryoma stood, as did Ann, she let go of him but stayed close.
"Ryoma Echizen, same," Ryoma said, he shook Kevin's hand and almost instantly released, he was also giving off the false yet convincing aura that this person is new.
"And your name," Kevin asked Sakuno, who whimpered almost inaudibly and held out her hand, Kevin shook it.
"Sakuno R-Ryuizaki," Sakuno said quietly.
"Well Sakuno-chan, I'm challenging for you," Kevin said in a matter of fact way, Ryoma and Momo snarled, Eiji let out a half growl, Ann stepped in front of Sakuno and pulled her off to the side behind Ryoma and Momo.
"He has every right to unfortunately and he wishes to play Ryoma in a singles match for her," Tezuka informed them.
"I'll do it," Ryoma said bending down to his tennis bag to pick up his racquet, he winched as he did.
"No you're not Ryoma, you just finished your first transformation and it will be days before you can move properly again, let alone play tennis, someone else will play for Sakuno," Tezuka said commandingly, Ryoma growled but said nothing, he replaced his racquet in his bag and sat back down grudgingly. Ann calmed him by sitting next to him and rubbing circles on his shoulders, Sakuno whimpered and hid behind Momo.
"Well to bad because I will ONLY play Echizen-kun," Kevin said, Ryoma got up, Ann tried to hold him down but to no avail.
"Tezuka please let me play, so I can shut him up," Ryoma snarled, Tezuka shook his head firmly.
"No, as I said Kevin-san, Ryoma will NOT be playing I will take the challenge," Tezuka said.
"No, Tezuka-san I believe I wish to fight Echizen-kun, not you as I know you are on a different level from me and that would be highly unfair," Kevin said harshly.
"Teme, he said no, so either play Tezuka or don't challenge at all," Momo growled, successfully hiding Sakuno from view.
"Look I said I won't have it any other way and I have every right to pick my opponent and I choose Echizen-kun," Kevin said loudly attracting the notice of several other clan leaders.
"Bucho let me play him I refuse to lose to him," Ryoma said with annoyance for the blond in his voice.
"I see I have no other choice, Ryoma be careful and don't over exert yourself, I will be placing the reserve player rule on the table, if Ryoma can't continue I will continue in his place, THAT is final," Tezuka said, Kevin nodded smugly as Ryoma got his racquet out.
"Ryo are you sure," Ann asked, Ryoma gave her a cocky smirk.
"Hn," Ryoma said, he walked over to the court Kevin was waiting on, the Seigaku and the American packs went over and watched, Tezuka sat as bench coach for Ryoma, a reddish-blond haired man sat as bench coach for Kevin.
"Which," Ryoma asked spinning his racquet.
"Smooth," Kevin replied and it was so he got first serve.
"Kevin Smith for West Rockies v Ryoma Echizen for Seigaku, Smith to serve," the ref called, Kevin served and Ryoma returned easily. As the match went on Ryoma noticed that he was being forced to run around and around the court, he snarled at Kevin pain burning in his sides, game count 2-2.
"Why don't you actually try to win instead of trying to get me to quit," Ryoma asked cockily in English, Kevin growled and started getting mad, he served straight at Ryoma's leg where he had been bitten, Ryoma dodged the sudden attack and returned badly in a lob, Kevin took it and hit a drive A hitting Ryoma square in the chest knocking the wind out of Ryoma and causing him to fly back about three feet and land hard on his back. The ref ran forward to see if Ryoma was still conscious, Tezuka did as well, Ryoma stood up.
"Ryoma, you need to stop I'll play now," Tezuka said, Ryoma shook his head and continued the match, Kevin continued to use drive A and many violent tactics all hitting the mark, Ryoma kept going not giving up and smashing his twist serves into Kevin's face at any opportunity also using the cool drive once for a bit of payback, they kept it up till when the score was at 4-4 Kevin jumped super high and used a super hard smash onto Ryoma right shoulder causing Ryoma to fall in agony to his knees, something was defiantly broken.
"RYOMA!," Ann and Momo screamed, Tezuka ran forward, calling the medics as he did, the ref came as well, Ryoma held his shoulder shaking in the pain and anger.
"Echizen-kun, you will need to substitute Tezuka-san in, you can't play like this," the ref demanded, Ryoma growled but Tezuka looked him straight in the eye.
"You will be taken out of this match, you weren't at fighting strength anyways, you need medical attention, and now," Tezuka commanded as the medics arrived and started inspecting Ryoma's shoulder, Ryoma gave a yelp of pain when they went over his collar bone near his right shoulder.
"It's fractured you can feel the break, you're definitely out," the medic said as he wrapped Ryoma's shoulder and upper chest and arm, in bandages, after taking off Ryoma's shirt. Ryoma winced over and over as his shoulder was wrapped, then as he was led off the court he threw a death glare at Kevin who looked remorseful, Ann was next to Ryoma instantly, she kissed his cheek and calmed him down as he sat down Momo, Eiji, Sakuno, and Fuji came over to him.
"You did good, Ochibi, you can't help stuff like this, are you ok," Eiji said, Ryoma 'Hned' Ann looked at him worriedly.
"Really Ryoma you did well, there is no way Tezuka will lose in your place, and you'll get better soon with your wolf blood," Fuji reminded him, Ryoma smirked then his eyes fell on a quivering Sakuno, she hid her fear well but not well enough for it to be concealed from Ryoma's eyes.
"Gomen, Sakuno-chan," Ryoma said quietly, though they all heard him, Sakuno smiled and knelt next to Ryoma.
"No, Ryoma-kun I'll be ok, even if I do have to go with them, you did your best and right after your first transformation to, and next year you can challenge for me again if Tezuka-bucho loses," Sakuno said in a heartening way, Ryoma lifted his head and gave her a faint smile, Momo and Eiji sat next to them while Fuji stayed standing just behind them, they watched as Tezuka got ready, and Kevin kept his gaze on Ryoma who looked at him with annoyance and anger.
"He'll pay, Ryoma, he will, he will," Momo said, Ryoma chuckled, Tezuka stepped into the receiving position and Kevin's attention was forced back on the match.
"Gamabette, Kunimitsu," Yumiko called, he nodded as saying 'Thank you.'
"Reserve player, Kunimitsu Tezuka for Seigaku v Kevin Smith for West Rockies, Smith to serve game count 4-4," The ref called.
"I didn't want it to come to this," Smith called, Tezuka remained impassive as ever, Kevin served. Tezuka easily returned it. Kevin got more into the game and tried to use a drop shot, not gonna happen, Tezuka returned it perfectly. Kevin tried to use a drive A, but Tezuka countered it and scored, the game went on and on.
Kevin went into a complete horror drive at losing the possibility of to two players, he kept with the hard hitters and even broke the Tezuka zone, Tezuka tried to stay calm through it all and Ryoma nearly cussed out loud at himself for being put out. Tezuka took many points and so did Kevin, while Kevin entered an awakened state not quiet the state of self actualization actually far from it just a great stress state where his body is acting on impulse. He threw every move he had ever seen at Tezuka who returned most, throwing the match into a tiebreak, Tezuka was holding the lead until Smith entered his stressed state.
"TEZUKA," Fuji called out of nowhere, Tezuka glanced at him, and saw the tensai's eyes open and gleaming, he knew what that meant, 'Fuji I don't know, I was hoping that if this happened I could take him without it.' The match continued Kevin still in his somewhat awakened state; Tezuka opened the Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work) slightly, not using its full power.
"Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami," Ryoma said standing up so fast Ann and Momo lost their placing and fell backwards, "he's using that?!"
"Ryoma, what is the Pinnacle of Hard Work," Ann asked a bit confused getting off her butt and standing next to him.
"That, Ann-chan is one of the doors to the Muga no Kyōchi or the State of self actuilization, Tezuka can open two of it's doors and for him to open one it means that Smith in his current state, where his body is acting completely on impluse and memory, means that Tezuka wants to end this and now, and that in this state Smith is very strong, Tezuka is using this to counter Smith's state even though Tezuka hasn't fully let out all of Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami's power," Fuji explained. Ryoma scowled.
"This isn't good," Ryoma said near inaudibly but Fuji heard him and looked at him.
"Ryoma what do you mean," Fuji asked sharply, Ryoma kept his eyes on the match but still ansewred the tensai.
"The reason Kevin challenged me is because I know him from the states when I lived there, he wanted to gage his power on mine because he knows when I'm at my best I'm much stronger than him, he is pushing to hard and at this rate Bucho will get himslef hurt, Kevin gose crazy when he gets like this, the idiot can't control himself all the time like he's another personand Tezuka is his target now, instead of me, I was always the target so he never hurt anyone and I almost always won so he was ok but now," Ryoma let problably the most words he has ever said at one time end there not elaborateing further.
"You make it sound like when he got to far into the game he used you as a punching bag," Ann said disgusted that Kevin would do that to 'HER' Ryoma.
"Well, not really I never let the games get that far if I could help it but now that Tezuka is playing him, who knows what Kevin'll do, Damn it all," Ryoma said quietly but they all heard him, Eiji and Momo suddenly looked over at their Bucho, Ann kept her eyes on the match, Fuji's keen eyes open and on Ryoma. Sakuno stared at the ground.
"Ochibi, it'll be ok," Eiji said getting ready to glomp Ryoma, but Ann stepped in the way pointing at Ryoma's heavily bandaged shoulder, Eiji stopped.
"Ryoma, do you know what will happen if Tezuka does win," Fuji asked.
"Kevin will either fall out of this state or he will try to beat up the first person he sees, it has to be me, I can handle him when even his team members can't," Ryoma deadpanned.
"Echizen how are you gonna be the first one he sees if he is still mad after he loses," Momo asked.
"No clue," Ryoma admitted.
"Well it can't be you your hurt already," Ann insisted.
"I have to, it's my fault I had to quit," Ryoma deadpanned.
"Ochibi, it wasn't your fault, NYA, you did your best," Eiji said.
"So if Kevin is still in his state and Tezuka beats him will he have go at Tezuka," Momo asked.
"Maybe, Kevin is a nice person, but in this state it's like Takashi's burning state he doesn't know me from Eiji-sempai," Ryoma said.
"So he just goes into another mindset, like Taka-san," Eiji said slightly relived.
"Aa."
"So if we can get him to let this state fall he'll be ok without hurting anyone," Sakuno spoke up, Ryoma thought about it then nodded.
"That could work, that idiot I can't believe he ignored my warning," Ryoma growled.
"Warning?"
"Before I left the states for the last time I told him to be careful and to keep his head straight cause I wouldn't be there to bail him out, back then I didn't know he was a Werewolf, so you can imagine how weird it was to see him here, and for him to challenge me it was a kick in my ass," Ryoma muttered audibly, everyone was still slightly shocked, one from Kevin's thing, and two from Ryoma talking maybe the most words he had ever sad in his life.
"You sound like Shinji-kun from the fudomine pack, NYA," Eiji said.
"Well it doesn't matter now cause it's match point for Tezuka," Fuji said, Ryoma snarled his anger and frustration.
"Game and match Seigaku," The ref called, Kevin is lying on his stomach breathing hard, Tezuka stood still then walked over to his pack.
"Congratulations Tezuka, but might have another problem," Fuji said as quietly to Tezuka as possible so as not to alert the others, namely Oishi, Yumiko, Inui, Kaidoh and Takashi.
"Aa, but he seems to be calming down," Tezuka observed, Ryoma watched Kevin with keen eyes, the blond got up and looked Ryoma in the eye his face contorted with rage, "never mind." Ryoma muttered 'shit' and walked into the arena slipping his shirt over his torso as he went, Fuji and Eiji grabbed him, and pulled him back, Kevin snarled and his eyes shown with bloodlust of a sort.
"Ochibi, you can't nya, let his pack members handle it," Eiji said, Ryoma shrugged.
"Do we have any more things to do," Ryoma asked, Tezuka shook his head, "Then we should et the hell out of here." Everyone took one look at Kevin and nodded and ran for the car and sped home.
-At the house-
"YAY SAKUNO-CHAN IS HERE TO STAY!" Eiji cried.
"Yes until another attempt is made on her," Inui said killing the happy mood at the dinner table.
"Inui-senpai that's not nice," Ann trilled.
"Well there's a 90 chance that those guys will come back for her before next year," Inui stated.
"Still," Ann glanced at Ryoma and Sakuno and Fuji who had all become a bit sadder since the words had been spoken.
"Oh right," Inui said and shut up, dinner went by quietly then Tezuka stood up and motioned for everyone to go into the meeting/living room, they did and once they all settled down Tezuka began speaking...
"Well, we had a good fair of luck today, and also a fair of bad luck, the good side is that Sakuno will be staying with us, the bad side is that Ryoma was severely injured," Ryoma glared at Tezuka who was impassive "So we will have to get on with our business and such, but I want everyone to rest for a week, that means a vacation, you'll be able to go in groups of four or more any where IN JAPAN you want to go, think about you're decisions and tell me tomorrow, good night," Tezuka finished and everyone went to their rooms, well couples slept together (NOT IN THE PERVERTED WAY MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTERS PLEASE!).
Ok sixth chap, I think, GAH I lost count, oh well next chap is the beginning of vacations!