Eyy how's it been everyone? I know it's probably been like forever since I last updated and if so forgive me. I'm just gonna be perfectly honest and say I have no idea where this story is going but wherever it is its getting there.
I'll try to make this one longer and not be as boring as I know it's been but gotta build the suspense to the big stuff. Right now I really have no idea where the story is going so let's just get it over with so I can half ass start the next one.
Still don't own Prince of Tennis.
Here's chapter nine. Enjoy!
"I hope you don't mind if I also tag along for some practice too Tezuka-kun. I'd also like to get the general feel for the people around the school if you don't mind."
"Not at all. We'd be happy to have you."
With that, Tezuka and Inui departed from the Echizen house hold. Ryoga took the liberty and brought out things for the other three and himself to sleep with. See that Echizen shouldn't be moved and wasn't going to wake any time soon, they all decided to sleep in the living room to make sure that nothing would happen during the night. They all fell asleep rather quickly and were glad for it because after tomorrow, their lives were going to get a great deal more difficult.
Echizen awoke with a start. He quickly bolted up on the couch only to realize that he was safe at home. He looked around to see Ryoga sleeping in a position he didn't know was possible and couldn't fathom how it was comfortable and then Fuji, Kikumaru, and Momo lying rather normally. He was surprised to that Ryoga was actually there with him; to be perfectly honest he had basically forgot about him and wasn't really sure if it was actually him that had gotten him from the park.
He looked at a clock on the wall but found it useless because all he could see was the outline of it amongst the dark of the room. He lay back on the couch and tried to get to sleep but his mind was filling with questions that he wanted answers to. His body also felt extremely heavy and achy but given the circumstances he was glad for it. If things had taken a turn for the worst, he could wind up in the hospital again, or in the hands of his would-be assailant. He didn't know how long it took for him to fall back asleep but he was glad for it but not for the rude awakening the got when it was time to get ready for school.
"Come on, up. You already missed too many days and you're not going to miss anymore." Ryoga was grouchy, there was no hiding it but seeing as he was suffering from jet lag, no one could blame him. "Don't make me drop the cat on you."
"Ryoga-san don't you think you should be a little less- forceful?" Kikumaru asked as he, Momo, and Fuji got themselves out of their makeshift beds.
"Yeah he is injured after all." Momo added.
"This is nothing compared to what he'll have to deal with if he doesn't get up."
"I am up." Echizen pushed himself up from the couch. "How do you expect me to sleep when I have to hear that annoying thing coming from your mouth?"
"Why can't you ever take things seriously?" Ryoga sighed and his hand slid down his face. "Today is probably the only day we have to actually figure out what to do about this."
"Let's get it figured out then." Fuji quickly said. "What's our plan of action then?"
Ryoga let out an annoyed groan. "It's useless for me to tell only you and have to repeat it later to everyone else. I want to hurry and leave so we can get to your school and set up a meeting with this Tezuka so I can tell everyone at once so hurry up and let's get going."
"Fine, fine if it means you'll be quiet for a few minutes." Echizen more so rolled off the couch. Ryoga threw his hands up and walked from the room.
"You know he's just worried about you; that's why he's fussing so much." Momo said after a few seconds of silence.
"Shouldn't you two at least be happy to see each other even if it's not the best circumstances?" Kikumaru asked.
Echizen sighed. "It's not that, I mean- he always just seems so bothered because no matter what it's always something about me." He picked up the cat that was entangling himself in his legs and left for his room to get changed.
"This has to be hard for all of them." Fuji said. "We know somewhat of what's happening but nothing quite so extreme."
"Best thing we can do is help them out and get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible." Momo responded.
"Yosh! Let's find this guy and get rid of him." Kikumaru said. The three of them raised their fists as for a cheer.
Ryoga sighed in the other room. He was relieved to hear that they would all give it their best to help with everything but he also knew better; he knew what their lives were like and the basics of what they all had to go through and that what they were going to experience in the next few days was nothing like they had ever faced before.
By the time they were ready they all had to rush to school. The five boys ran from the house and towards the school, along with a few securities following behind. The sight must have been a strange one.
Barely making it before the bell, the four that actually had a practice to attend got changed while Ryoga went to scope out the school and its surroundings. Echizen was actually excited to start practicing. It had been a while since he was actually able to do and enjoy it instead of just playing matches for his father, not that he didn't enjoy beating is opponents but for actually liking having to do it over and over, it started to seem like a chore. Now that Tezuka was actually allowing him to practice with everyone, it made him happy.
"You're late." Tezuka said as the four of them as they walked into the club room. "Get changed then run twenty lap."
"Eh? But the bell just sounded." Kikumaru protested.
"The second bell; get changed and do your laps." He went outside.
"So this is what Momo's life is like." Fuji teased.
"It wasn't my fault this time though." Momo said. "If Echizen hadn't insisted we go his route we would've been on time."
"How was I supposed to know that they were working on the road?" Echizen said. "Besides aren't you the one that took the longest to do everything this morning?"
"There's no reason to fight now. Let's just do our laps and join the others." The four of them quickly changed and went outside and started running.
When they finished and joined the others, Tezuka paired them with each other for matches, all except Echizen. Not that Tezuka didn't believe in his level of skill but mainly because he was injured and starting with a regular right off the bat would probably agitate his wounds. Instead he got paired with a second year named Arai; same level of cockiness if not more. Just looking at him gave Echizen a headache.
"Don't you think it's a little unfair for the captain to pit this first year against me?" Arai boasted. "I mean shouldn't he at least be paired with a first year to start off?"
"If you don't want to play me then tell him yourself." Echizen said from across the court. "Personally I don't care either way but I think losing is a better way of going than just giving up and not trying at all; but that's just me."
"And who says I'm going to lose shorty?"
"You're the one giving up before it started so I just assumed you must not have enough confidence to beat a first year which hasn't practiced at all in the last few days. I'm just saying."
The people on the outside of the court snickered. If there was something besides tennis that Echizen was good at, it was making snarky comebacks. Aria frowned from across the court and readied his ball. Aria was much like several other people Echizen had had matches against and he played out the whole scenario in his head: he'll get the first few points and brag about it and say how he should've started with a first year but then Echizen would completely mop the floor with him.
The only thing that bugged him was his chest and torso in general. Everyone was in such a rush to get out of the house that he didn't have a chance to take his medication. He kept getting these random stabbing pains and had to keep himself from making faces contorted in pain. He hoped that since he had gone to Oishi's hospital that maybe he might have something that would dull the pain and if worst came to worst he would ask Ryoga to go home and get the medication.
A ball flew past his face. "What's the matter first year? Didn't you say you were going to beat me?" Aria taunted just as Echizen knew he would. He served again but that time Echizen hit it back easily and served just as easily.
As much as he liked playing and beating Aria, he couldn't stand the pain anymore. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to start playing again practically right after a car crash and attempted abduction. He served again and again and returned balls like it was nothing to get the match over as quickly as possible and ended up being the first one done. Everyone watching the match was amazed. Surely Echizen had probably set a record on fastest match ever.
He went and sat on a bench and drank some water. He could feel his body shaking, part from the adrenalin rush and excitement of being able to play for fun instead of fame and profit but mainly because of the pain.
"How are you doing Echizen?" Tezuka asked.
Echizen grunted. "Maybe we should've waited another day to start having me do things."
"I think that would've been better also but your brother insisted you start today. You'll stick with the first years for the afternoon practice."
"Why didn't you just put me with them in the first place?" He raised an eyebrow.
"In all honestly Aria needed to be put in his place and I by you beating him on your first day did the trick." Tezuka grunted. "If the pain is too much, go to the nurse's office and take something for it. I expect you in peek condition when the matches with the other schools start."
With that Tezuka went to watch the other's matches. Echizen sat on the bench making small movements to see where it hurt the most. Pretty much every movement he did made him grunt with uneasiness.
"Kora Echizen. Come help us pick up balls if you're just going to sit there. " Echizen pretended not to hear Horio call out to him. Instead he sat on the bench and plucked at the strings on his racket. "Echizen!" Horio walked over to him and started to complain but before he could really say anything a ball hit him in the side of the head.
"You really must be tired if you didn't see that coming." Ryoga tapped his racket on his shoulder. "Maybe we should've waited another day before having you start."
"This was your decision." Echizen was looking at Horio lying on the ground and jabbed at him with the racket. "I think you might have killed him."
"If you hit it back like you normally would've done and this wouldn't have happened." Ryoga knelt down and prodded him with his brother. "Oi get up."
"Why would you send a ball flying towards me in the first place?"
"Test your reflexes. You didn't take your medication this morning did you?"
"Nani?" Horio lifted his head and look at the people poking him. He jumped up and yelled. "Echizen's been cloned!" Almost all the people within ear range looked at them.
"Shut up you idiot. No one's been cloned." Ryoga hit him on the head. He then handed Echizen a small case containing his medication. "Take these now. You should be fine for your afternoon practice."
Echizen happily took the medication. "What have you been doing this whole time? It shouldn't take that long to look throughout a school."
"I talked to some of your teachers. I didn't tell them exactly what's going on but I said you have a stalker and should be cautious if you get called out of class to meet with anyone. I also ran into some people from your friend's groups or whatever. I don't know what full detail but they'll take care of things that happen between you and other classmates while you're here seeing as I can't really be on school grounds."
"Eh? Echizen has a stalker?" Horio burst out again.
Ryoga hit him again. "Shouldn't you be picking up balls or something?"
"Who are you anyways? In case you don't know, I'm his self-appointed bodyguard and I can take on anything you throw at me. I demand to know who you are if you insist on seeing my client." Echizen sighed and shook his head as Ryoga gave him a questioning look.
"Well Mr. Bodyguard if you insist, I'm his brother; Echizen Ryoga. Let's see if you have what it takes to be my brother's bodyguard." Ryoga called over to Tezuka. "Tezuka-kun, mind if we have a match?" He gestured to himself and Horio. Tezuka nodded in approval.
"I-I'll have you know I have two years of tennis experience." Horio stuttered as the two of them went to a court.
"Maybe you'll be a challenge for me then." Ryoga smiled at him. "To be honest it's been a while since I've played like this so I might not be too good at first."
Echizen rolled his eyes at his brother. There was no way he was going to lose to someone like Horio; not that he was bad for someone at his skill level but Ryoga had been trained by Nanjiro for crying out loud. The match was over just as quickly as Echizen's was and not long after that practice was over too. After speaking to Tezuka once again, Ryoga had disappeared.
Echizen walked to class with Horio and wished he would shut up about his match with his brother. Apparently he hadn't pieced two and two together and remembered that they had the same father and that's why he and Ryoga had around the same style. Echizen also took the liberty of not telling him that Ryoga was a part of one if not the top tennis team in America. He was beginning to enjoy school and his life without fame but, as usual it didn't last long.
"What were you trying to pull out there shorty?" Their way was blocked by Arai and his friends. "You made me look like a fool out there."
"Trust me; you didn't need my help with that." Echizen crossed his arms.
Arai grabbed a fistful of Echizen's shirt and pinned him to the wall. "Think you're better than everyone just because daddy has a little bit of money? Take that away and what are you left with?"
"Do you really think that money got me to where I am? I know I'm better because I practiced every single day I had free time. Maybe you should try that instead of picking on lower classmen because they beat you in a friendly game." The people that had gathered around them snickered. Arai was furious. He balled his other hand and was ready to punch Echizen but a hand stopped him.
"Yare yare Arai-kun, picking on the new kid are we?" There stood that familiar face again, saving his life once more.
"This doesn't concern you Yuko." Arai freed his arm.
"Oh but it does. See the thing is Echizen-kun is under our protection now. It would be a shame if something happened to him and you were somehow involved." Arai's face paled and he immediately let Echizen go. Yuko whispered in his ear. "I'll keep this a secret from your captain for the time being." Arai scoffed and left.
Echizen brushed himself off. "Thank you sempai."
"Don't hesitate to come find me if anyone gives you trouble." Yuko replied with a smile as he walked away.
"Oi Echizen how do you know him?" Horio asked in astonishment as he tried to take in everything that just happened.
"He's one of Momo-sempai's friends. I don't see what the big deal is."
Horio wrapped his arm around Echizen's shoulders and whispered. "Don't you know who he is? He's basically the second hand man for Momo-sempai and Kaidou-sempai with their- you know. What does he mean by your under their care now? What did you do?"
"Tell you what, if you can beat my brother in a rematch I'll tell you." Echizen smirked and walked into their class.
"Eh? Echizen that's not fair. You know that could never happen, even with my two year of tennis experience."
The time between morning practice and afternoon practice was serine. Most of his teachers had been informed by Ryoga about his 'stalker' and almost all of them knew that he had been in a car accident a few days prior so needless to say, while they didn't enjoy him sleeping in their classes they allowed him to do so. Echizen felt better when it was finally time for practice. The pain was practically nonexistent.
It was a time like then where he would've hoped to be able to play a match against one of the regulars instead of stick with the first years but it was better for him to heal first then be able to go all out later. He bumped into Arai on the way to the court. He looked apprehensive and bowed ever so slightly that Echizen couldn't help but laugh a little. Ryoga was also waiting on the court. He looked excited to be at school with people surrounding him which Echizen thought was weird because no one could really like school.
Echizen thought of asking Tezuka if he could partake in the regular's practice but figured he might as well take it easy for a while with the first years. They practiced swings and the general way of serving then ended up picking up after the regulars and before he knew it, practice was over. When the first years were finished cleaning, rather than stay and listen to Tezuka address the regulars like he thought would've been asked of him, he was excuse to go change.
As he was changing he noticed two slips of paper fall from his cubby. He picked them up, noticing one had a number one on it and the other a two. He thought maybe one of the other freshman put them there as a prank and was going to disregard them but figured that he might as well humor them. He opened the first one and was confused to say the least for the note had one word on it, Duck.
He looked around the room to see if there was anything remotely related to a duck but came up empty-handed. He felt something hit the back of his head and when he turned he saw nothing and no one anywhere except for everyone outside waiting for him. He then unfolded the second note and felt something drop in his stomach. If you want to live I suggest you duck. On the count of three.
Just then he heard static. "One… Two…" It didn't register in his head what was going to happen until he saw a red dot on the window. Echizen quickly dropped to the ground. "Three." There was a bang that sounded in the distance and then glass breaking. "Yare, yare it seems that I missed." Echizen looked around for something that might look like a radio or walkie-talkie. "Come on kid, aren't ya having fun? The thrill of the hunt."
"Echizen!" Several regulars burst into the clubroom. "Are you alright?"
"I mean I even gave you a heads up. Doesn't that just make it more exciting? The look on your face was hysterical."
"Where's that voice coming from?" Momo yelled as everyone began looking for a radio of some sort.
"You know I spoke with my employer. He's not too happy about your father's deal with the big owner in Sapporo so we came to an agreement; the only way to stop your father is with you."
"Here!" Kikumaru pulled a small speaker from behind some boxes on the shelf.
"I heard your father's going to be there for some time, gives me more time to play with you. Don't worry, I won't torture you like all the other times you've been captured. I'm an assassin so I'll do it quick."
"Is there any way we can find out where he's broadcasting from?" Fuji asked. "He's probably still close." Inui took the speaker and started fiddling with the back until it came off.
"Don't bother with the speaker. Won't do ya any good to try and track where I'm coming from, just know that the next time we meet will probably be the last time you'll ever see me." After that the speaker went silent.
"Cocky bastard." Ryoga stated. "Chibisuke are you alright?"
Echizen sat on the floor holding the notes in his hand. He couldn't fake it, he was scared. He had probably been watched the entire day and no one knew about it. How else would Jack have known about when to put the notes in his cubby? He didn't notice anyone go in there during practice and they certainly weren't in there in the morning. The worst part was that he was being toyed with and he knew there was practically nothing he could do to stop it.
"Ryoma!" Echizen snapped out of his thoughts when his brother called him.
"I'm- fine." His tone of voice certainly didn't make it sound like he was fine.
"Oi! Find out where that shot came from." Ryoga called out to the security that had assembled outside. "We're leaving, now."
"We'll clean up this mess, just get him home safely. We'll meet you when we're done." Tezuka said as the group started cleaning up the glass.
"Have some of our people go with you Ryoga-san." Momo said.
"They'll be a lot more use to you right now than to us." Kaidou added.
"Yeah thanks." The two brothers left the club room and made their way to the front of the school where a car was waiting for them. A group composed of people from Momo and Kaidou's clan followed and began walking to their house.
"Can you believe how much one person would go through just to get one child out of the picture?" Fuji asked with revulsion in his voice.
"Echizen doesn't even have any say in the matter." Kawamura added. "Didn't he transfer here to get away from everything that had been impacted by his father's job?"
"We can all understand that it's never that easy to get away." Oishi said. "All in all you can never really get away from it."
"Especially for someone like him. His father owns one of the biggest tennis corporations in Japan and he largely influences other corporations from other countries." Inui said. "Echizen's also known worldwide for his skills so even if he tried to get away it probably wouldn't have that big of an impact."
"Isn't there something we can do for him?" Kikumaru asked.
"The only thing we could try is find the person who's behind all of this and make them call off their man." Kaidou said.
"With our line of connections it would be relatively easy. All we would need is his name and picture." Momo added.
"And we can most likely get those from Echizen and Ryoga-san." Tezuka said. "Let's finish up here and get to the house. Minna yudan sezu ni ikou."
Shit fuck oh my god I'm so sorry for how last this is.
Okay like I was planning on just making like a super uber 10000 word last chapter but I felt really bad about not updated in like two months so you guys get this bit to hold you down for a while. Pray with me that the next bit doesn't take as long as this one does to get out. Like its already half-done I just need to wrap it all up and everything will be pretty and lovely and then more stories yay.
Please forgive spelling and grammar and corniness and lateness and boringness and bad puns and lateness and oh my god I'm sorry.
Okay pray with me for quick release on the next one.
Hope ya liked it. See ya later!
