RAINDROPS
A Prince of Tennis Fanfic
By: weirdcoffeeholic
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
Author's Note: I have a new puppy! She's so lovable. :D Anyways, the site's experiencing problems, I presume. (sigh) I can't leave reviews since it always ends up in an error page when I submit. Dang it. :\ So there, things start spilling out in this chapter. I hope it doesn't bore you guys out. I'm gonna cut the talking. Read on. :D
CHAPTER EIGHT
Stolen
"I think I have your man."
The Viper was silent, making the man on the other line feel perturbed, he could tell with his razor-sharp senses. It was another couple of seconds before he replied. "I know he's alive, Kawamura," he said plainly. "I just saw him a few hours ago."
Kawamura was stuttering. He didn't expect this reaction. "You d-did?" he asked. "They why didn't you—?"
The Viper cut him off. "I think it's your job to make sure it's him," he said, though he was aware that it was Ryoma Echizen that he had seen beside the creek yesterday at late afternoon. It was just his idea of fun to manipulate the officer on the other line.
Although he was certain that it was him, The Viper had set Nanjirou Echizen's son free for one more day out of orders given by the big boss, telling him to 'let his son have fun with his girl before we break it to him.'
It was an immature request that only Nanjirou could ask for. In his opinion, he would've bagged the son the moment he had spotted him. Yet, it was still an order by one of the most powerful CEOs in Japan. It was as mandatory as instructions given out by the President of the country. The Viper could not refuse.
Today was the day.
"We are positive that it is him," he said. "But the thing is..." He trailed of uncertainly.
Growing intolerant, the Viper gave another threatening hiss. "Get to the point," he ordered. "I don't have time for chit-chat."
He heard the officer sigh against the receiver. "W-we don't actually have him yet—"
"If that's the case then why don't you—"
Kawamura interjected. "But we can confirm that he's staying in a small hotel not far from the city proper," he said. "He just checked in last night."
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?" The question was threatening. He could imagine the officer cringing at that very moment.
Kawamura sounded scared but determined. "We wanted to verify that it was him," he told him. "So we assigned the LAPD's computer experts to hack into the hidden camera system of the hotel. They were able to recover a few screenshots. I sent the jpegs to your phone a few seconds ago."
The Viper withdrew the mobile unit from his ear and saw that he had indeed received an e-mail. He opened the message and chose an option that allowed him to see the pictures in full-screen. It was him. The officer had done right for once.
Replacing the speaker back to his ear, the Viper hissed. "Well done, Kawamura," he said to the officer. "Mr. Echizen will be pleased."
"I'm still grateful for the generous help he gave me and my father. We will always be grateful," he replied considerately. "Do you want to retrieve him by yourself or would you like me to send backup?"
Still simpering, the Viper stood up from where he sat and walked to the door of the motel room leading to the hallway. He then slipped on his coat. "No. Your job here is done."
He hung up.
Prince opened his eyes to meet the ceiling above him. It was as blank as his mind as he tried to remember what had happened. Slight alarm sped up his breathing but it soon faded back when he everything came flooding back to him like a strong tide. His eyes stung a little as they adjusted to the morning sunlight that filled the room.
Shit.
Slowly, he lifted his body up, propping his elbow on the bed. He then ran a hand across his tired face and through his messed up hair. He carefully straightened up to a sitting position, the white sheets covering the lower-half of his body.
It was then that he noticed the sleeping form of the woman next to him. A pang sprang up from his chest. Sakuno, he thought as he gazed at her, curled up under the covers, her chest gradually shifting up and down while breathing, her long, brown hair tracing lines across the soft pillows. Events of the previous night flashed through his head. Maybe I shouldn't have...
Quietly, as not to wake her, Prince brought his face closer to hers and kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose before pulling back and placing a peck on her lips. She frowned a little, as if telling him that it was too early to wake up. But she quickly became silent again. He grinned sheepishly.
He remembered how they were last night. The sheets tangles around their fiery bodies, skin on skin, breath for a breath, pulse for a pulse. Her soft, full lips stung his face and neck as she moaned his name like prayer. It sounded like heaven to his ears. Her breasts heaved under his chest as he felt the throbbing beats of her heart under his. She dug her nails into his back in desperation as he slowly slipped inside her, applying a careful, steady rhythm. He wanted to savor the moment—her. He didn't want to rush, knowing that this chance might never come again. She was all he ever wanted now, he knew. He was afraid to hurt her, but he couldn't help it as something inside them exploded with one last thrust, magnifying the hot, pleasurable sensation they felt by a thousand fold—
It suddenly dawned unto him that they hadn't used protection. Panic kicked into his slowly recovering system at once. It was a different kind of feeling than what he felt when he was running away from the cops. What if I got her— If he did, he couldn't walk out on her, not after when he did.
It already happened.
Prince looked at the peaceful expression on Sakuno's face, feeling guilt building up inside him like a bomb waiting to go off. He traced a finger down the side of cheek, seeking comfort from the smoothness of her porcelain skin. His face hovered a few centimeters from hers. The smell of her feminine cologne did everything to soothe his uneasiness.
This might be the first and last time he would see her like this. A part of him that he only knew now didn't want to run away anymore. He was getting tired of it, but he knew it was inevitable. If he wanted to avoid the harsh consequences of his unforgivable actions, he would have to run.
A voice spoke in his head. You're a coward, it spat.
I know I am, he answered.
Sakuno groaned again as her eyes slowly fluttered open. Unlike Prince, it didn't take her long to remember what had happened, and she gave him a sleepy smile as soon as their eyes met. "Good morning," she whispered, stretching her dainty arms in a tired yawn before placing a hand behind his neck, pulling him closer into a kiss.
Prince was taken aback by the bold gesture but returned it in kind as he repositioned himself and rolled on top of her. He then ran his hands over the insides of her forearms and linked his fingers with hers. His lips then traveled to the sensitive area between her neck and shoulders. He traced open-mouthed kisses on her skin and gently grazed his teeth on it. She gave a satisfied moan. He then pressed his body against hers and that was when he noticed she was still undressed. He stopped himself before he couldn't hold back anymore. Prince pulled back a little.
She looked at him with half-lidded eyes and a disappointed expression on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked him, confused.
They remained in this position for some time before Prince spoke. He looked into her eyes, realizing something. He then shifted his gaze towards the digital clock on the nightstand next to them. It was a little over half-past six in the morning.
"We need to start working out a plan now," he replied nonchalantly, withdrawing his weight from her and sitting down on the mattress. He stared at the hanging window across the room from them. "We don't have much time."
Sakuno pulled herself up to a sitting position as well, careful not to let the sheets fall from her chest. "Oh, yeah," she realized, standing up and taking the covers with her. Prince was in his boxers so he didn't seem to mind. "What do you want for breakfast?" she asked him.
The casual question took Prince by surprise. "What?"
"I said 'What do you want?'" Sakuno repeated patiently. "I'm going out to get something to eat. I hate what they serve in bed and breakfasts."
Prince realized that he hadn't eaten in over a day. He unexpectedly felt very, very hungry. He had completely forgotten his first priority upon waking up. "I'll have anything you have," was his response, unsure of what to say.
Rolling her eyes, Sakuno picked up her clothes that were littered on the floor where they were hastily thrown last night. "Hmp, men," she jeered as she disappeared into the bathroom.
Prince watch the door closed behind her. He then heard water running in the shower. What a pushy girl. Lying back on the bed, he scoffed and said, "Women."
The Viper watched as the brown-haired girl exited the small hotel and rounded a corner at the end of the street. She was the same woman he had seen at the shore of the creek a day ago. She was even wearing the same clothes.
He instantly recognized her as the one he had spotted at that busy section yesterday morning. It was fate, he considered. So that was where she was going. The Viper smiled as he waited for her to come back just in case she forgot something.
Three minutes passed and she didn't.
The Viper crossed the street and entered the quiet building. Small hotels like these don't require high security, he knew. And he was right. There was no one holding a Barrett waiting to check his coat. Not even a bellhop. He stepped inside and walked to the reception area.
He was greeted by a young man with short, nearly bald hair. The Viper slipped a hand in his coat pocket and positioned his fingers around a syringe fill with clear liquid, ready to strike. It was just a precautionary measure just in case the receptionist wouldn't let him in the rooms.
"Good morning, sir! Welcome to the Tuesday Morning Bed and Breakfast!" There was an annoying smile on his face that made the Viper cringe. "How may I help you?"
The Viper forced a smile which looked more like he was just showing off his teeth. "I just wanted to know if this man is still checked into this hotel." His free hand dug into one of his pockets and drew out a picture of the heir taken about a year ago. He handed it to the receptionist.
He looked at it closely. "Yeah," he said, looking back at the Viper. "He just checked in last night. Why'd you ask?"
"May I know his room number? I'm a good friend of his." The line was well-rehearsed. "I just heard from another friend of ours that he was staying here. We've been busy for the past years and I'd like to see him again."
The receptionist looked a little suspicious. He cleared out his throat. "May I know your name, sir?" he asked him. "And I'll need a picture ID, if you may."
"Kaoru Kaidoh," he replied, taking out a leather holder. "I forgot my other wallet but I hope this will help." He flipped the frame open to reveal a fake police badge. It appeared as good as the real thing. He could reserve the needle for later.
Eyes widening, the young man gazed at the small, shiny, copper plate. "LAPD," he breathed out. "I'm sorry for that officer," he apologized and faced the personal computer behind the desk. He then looked back at the Viper. "His room number's 25, second floor, third door on your left when you step out of the elevator. There's a doorbell outside the room so you can just—"
"Thank you." The Viper walked towards the end of the hallway.
Sakuno tried to hide her restlessness as she stepped out of the little diner about three blocks away from the motel. She wrapped her arms securely around the big, brown paper bag that contained her orders and held it against her stomach. The warmth radiating from the sandwiches felt cozy.
She also tried not to reminisce about last night's occurrences. It only added to the accumulated burden she had been carrying for three days now. Sakuno had accepted the fact that Prince had to leave today. She bore that in mind when she had given all of herself to him. It was something that had to be done for his sake.
Although she wanted what was best for him, she honestly didn't know what to do. A part of her wants him to give up his life of crime and surrender willingly to the police, while the other wants him to run for his freedom despite the life he would most probably return to. Sakuno's better judgment knew that the former was the best decision, but her more emotional side was favoring the latter. It was hard.
Her hopes fell. Whichever path he chose, Sakuno would end up the same — she would be left hanging. She felt betrayed all of a sudden, though she knew that everything that was happening to her wasn't his fault, and that she wanted it. She wanted to give every bit of herself to him, her mind, body, soul — everything. And she had. Sakuno just didn't know if it was right.
She rounded the last corner and saw the Tuesday Morning at the end of the block. Her strides became and longer and faster as she reached the entrance, thinking of how long she was gone. Prince might be worried...
Sakuno stepped inside the motel. Her eyes fell on the yet-again empty reception area. Shuichiro was no where to be found. She shrugged and made a left towards the hall that led to the elevator. Repositioning the paper bag, she pressed the call button and stepped inside the lift.
Once the sliding doors had opened, Sakuno walked inside the hall and went straight to the third door on the left side of the small corridor. It was quiet inside. She assumed he had fallen asleep again. He most likely didn't get any rest at night after what he did to people who fall victim to him. She was still aware that he was a criminal at large even when he didn't show it anymore when he was with her. It was kind of tricky to just let that pass.
Sakuno grabbed the brass doorknob and gave it a twist. She then pushed it open and walked in.
The next moment was a blur. It happened fast.
A tall male figure came onto her from behind. She couldn't see it. Adrenalin started pumping through her veins but her body couldn't react fast enough. What the— He pinned her arms to her sides with one arm as she thrashed wildy. A hand shoved a handkerchief onto her face and held it there firmly. The scent stung her nostrils and throat and made her vision blurry. He was drugging her.
What's going on—? Sakuno felt her body giving away. Her eyes were forcing themselves shut as she saw Prince fighting tooth and nail to get to her. He was tied up at one corner of the room and was screaming at the man who was strangling her from the back. She wanted to run to him. Tears started falling from her eyes.
"Don't fucking touch her—!"
It was the last thing she heard before everything went dark.
Author's note: Hmm. I hope this chapter didn't sound sloppy. To tell you honestly, this is the first time I wrote a bed and make-out scene. Rofl. :) Forgive me if it didn't sound as sensual as I intended it to be. :D So there. What will happen to our couple next? Even I'm getting goosebumps. :D Please read and review! I'm still open for comments, suggestions, hate mail, etc. Forgive me for the typos. Thank you. :)
