CHAPTER 8

Ryoma had just made it to the courts before the bell rung. Sitting on the bench and waiting for other to show. He looked around and really took in the place. He couldn't imagine his father going to this school, but hey what did he know. He didn't even really know the man. As soon as he died his mother could not get rid of him fast enough. He even remembered the words she said. Hell he had just barely turned three when she sold him. If he remembers right it was along the lines of.

"I have no use for you anymore. I only had you to stop your father from divorcing me. Now he's out of the picture there is no point in keeping you. I get the money and keep the house that's all I ever wanted." Those where his mothers last words as she collected the payment from them. They seemed too please to have him. They knew he was going to be there final project. For a year he spent in a hotel. He wasn't allowed to leave. His master built a bond with him. That's what made it so much easier for them to use him in the end. He trusted that man.

Shanking off the memories, even then he didn't know the mans name. He was always Master. Nothing more nothing less and he was his masters little beauty. Ryoma had realized over time that the man had never called him by the name he was given at birth. It was always beauty no matter what. It made sense though. Every morning and night he would always repeat the same sentence.

"My little beauty. Just wait till your older. You will be the most beautiful creation in the whole universe." He was the man that took him in. He was the one that made him suffer. But he was also the one to love him when no one else would. Ryoma could never understand how the man would always say 'I love you' even after Ryoma had done something wrong like scratched him or defied his command. Sure he would get punished but he always said those three words to him afterwards and he could never stay completely mad at the man.

Hearing foot steps approaching he looked towards the entrance seeing the first and second years walking in. There was also the odd few third years joining in with the lower years conversations. He was about to get his racket out when he heard a noise.

"Echizen!" 'Damn' thought Ryoma as the unibrow monkey and the other two came towards him. He didn't like Horio very much as you could tell but the other two where all right. After all he didn't actually talk to them. Giving a nod in there direction they joined the boy but both Katsuo and Kachiro kept at least some distance already knowing the wild child's reaction.

Horio had thankfully gone off straight away to brag more about his two years of tennis experience. That was when annoying monkey number 2 came up. His name was of course Arai.

"Oi, Echizen. Just because you could beat Momo when he had a sprained ankle doesn't mean you can win against him fairly. Besides the regulars are here today. You'll see what Seigaku tennis team is really made of." Ryoma turned his head and blanked him out. When he heard others talking he looked at the direction that some of the first years where pointing to.

After giving it a few seconds Ryoma came to a decision. 'I don't like them.' And turned his back so he could go back to getting his racket out of his bag. Just then he heard a third year talk.

"Alright everyone, to make the freshmen feel more welcome why doesn't everyone pair up and do a light rally." Hearing Horio in the background claiming that, that guy was the captain called Tezuka even Ryoma found it funny when that blue eyed one from yesterday called him Oishi making the monkey rub the back of his head in embarrassment.

Most people where frozen when they saw the regulars practice. One threw the ball to the other, while that person aims for the basket that was over the net. Oishi and Fuji had been doing a few when the bowling ball head caught on to the tensai head movement. He was showing Oishi to throw one at Ryoma. Nodding towards Fuji he did just that.

"Ahh, sorry Fuji." He called hoping to get others attention. He did and they all saw the ball soar though the air. Ryoma turned round and smashed the ball which flew over the net and into it destination.

"Hmm... It's not that difficult." He mumbled hoping no one would hear.

"What was that you brat?" Arai said lifting the boy up by his jumper.

"Let go! Don't you dare touch me!" Ryoma shouted and swiping his hand across the others face. "Let me down! NOW!" He was in fall panic. Arai quickly dropped him and moved away putting his hand to his cheek. Ryoma was panting heavily and giving his best glare before sitting down in front of the bench on the floor. Dragging his knees up and bring his head down with his hand over the top.

Fuji feeling more brave than most after the boys outburst walk towards him and crouched down at the side. He was about to rub the boys back when he heard him in a firm but shaky voice.

"Don't even think about it." Moving his hand back to his side he tried to calm the boy with changing the subject.

"Saa... Sei told me about you living with him and Shan." Syusuke said in a quiet voice so only Ryoma could hear. The boy slowly lifted his head and stared back.

"How can he say that? He's the one that came into mine and Shans life. What did he say?" He mumbled but Fuji caught every word.

The cat didn't like this. Worried after what happened that the 'dog' as Ryoma liked to call him would give away all his secrets after he nearly killed him.

"Just that you don't seem to like him and that he gave you the name Ryo-Chan." Fuji smiled happily that the boy just completely forgot the occurrence that happened seconds ago. "We talked on the phone last night. He seemed upset. The fact that I couldn't see him face to face didn't help either."

(Flashback Sei and Syu conversation)

Sei hadn't been able to calm down after the talk with Shan. He ended up pacing his bedroom in circles. Finally deciding to lay down on the bed arms stretched. He looked to the side and saw his mobile. Picking it up he call the one person he knew would help. After three rings someone answered.

"Hello... Sei?"

"Syu, I'm so glad to talk to you." Relief showing in his voice as a smile crept up on his face.

"Why? What happened?"

"You know my uncle Shan took me to live with him today. I finally met his adoptive son and I think he hates my guts."

"What's his name and are you sure? You seem to have a talent to get on with everyone."

"His names Ryoma. God, his so sweet with Shan. He looks to him like the world itself would not move if my Uncle wasn't there."

"Ryoma... Is he a golden eyed boy that looks about 12? Because if it is I don't think he like me very much either. Considering our encounter was short I did kind of get in his space."

"HAHA!" Suddenly remembering his throat he winced slightly.

"Sei..." Fuji said carefully. "Is something wrong? You sound like your in pain?"

"Let's just say me and Ryo-Chan both kind of had a fight. But don't worry it wasn't anything big."

"You fought. You know how ridiculous that sounds, you don't fight."

"Please Syu. Can you just accept that. It was my fault. I said something without thinking."

"Why did you really call me Sei? I love you I really do but you need to stop dancing around the subject." Smiling to himself at how well his boyfriend knew him. Sei decided to just say it.

"I was told that Ryo-Chan went though hell. I can't tell you much because it's not for me to say. But compared to me and my illness. His life seems a thousand more times complicated. This disease I have seems like nothing from what I've heard that his been though." Letting out a sigh he put his free arm over his eyes and carried on. "God, Syu the boy was tortured." The tensai could hear muffling sound of sobbing.

"Sei, don't cry. You're both different. You both have different experiences. Please don't think your not important. Your disease is important to those who care about you. I care."

"Can I see you this weekend?"

"Haven't you got a doctors appointment?"

"Yeah on Sunday but you could always come round Saturday."

"Sure. I better go. I have to leave for school in about 6 hours and I need my sleep. Love you Sei."

"Love you too. I'll send you Shans number so if we go out in the future and something happens to me you can contacted him." With an 'Alright' from Fuji they both hung up. Questions in both their minds and neither one getting any sleep that night.

(Flashback End)

Looking over the boy and towards the kids hands he finally noticed the scratches. 'Must be the fight Sei was on about.' Everybody else had just used this time to watch the interaction between the sadist and the boy.

"Hey, do you want to use my phone?" Looking towards Fuji, he felt slightly scared.

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"I have Shan's number." Fuji couldn't help but realize what Sei had said about Ryoma world revolving around Shan. The boys face lit up just slightly at the mention of him.

"HEY! I'm the victim here. Have you seen the mark that brat left on me. He tried to rip my face off." Arai had finally gotten his voice back.

What's going on here?" Everyone froze and looked to the entrance of the courts. There stood Sumire and Tezuka and neither looking pleased.


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