CHAPTER 9

"That thing." Arai said pointing at Ryoma. "Attacked me." He then pointed to his face. Sumire knowing full well that Arai had to of done something to get that decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. She knew Ryoma needed to learn to control his temper and at the moment needed something to calm him down.

"Arai go to the nurse and get it checked. Ryoma 15 laps around the courts then collect you stuff and find me on the second floor, I'll be in a classroom. I'm going to call Shan as well to let him know and to pick you up." As she made that decision she turned her back so she could go inside. "Tezuka you still need to finish the list for the ranking tournament." With that the vice captain Oishi went with them to help and Arai wondered off to the nurse but not before whispering something to his friends who all seemed to smirk in agreement.

Ryoma knowing it was more to calm him down than punishment took off his jumper much to most surprise made a quick look to see his tail was still comfortably in his trousers. Grabbing the edge of his hood and seeing if the clips haven't loosened he started his run. And it was really a run. He loved it. The wind blowing in his face and his lungs burning with oxygen quickly entering and escaping. He felt free. Most could only watch in amazement as he sped around the courts. He had even finished his laps and carried on for a few more before deciding to stop. Panting hard but feeling so much better he made his way back to his bags only to find they where no longer where he left them.

He could feel this eye twitch. All his peace had evaporated. He was pissed.

Who the hell had stolen my stuff?" Arai and his friends all smiled as they approached the boy. Ryoma sensing danger got into a defensive stance.

"Eh, not bringing your rackets to practice? Aren't you getting a bit over confident. Here." He got a racket from one of his friends and chucked it at the kid. Feeling the challenge, his eyes lit up with excitement.

Sumire was watching out of a window on the second floor. Laughing to herself she turned and got Tezukas and Oishis attention.

"You two might want to see this." Both getting up and going to where the woman stood they looked down to see Aria and Ryoma on either side of a court. "You never know you might find someone to fill the last space in block D."

The match ended with a happy Ryoma. Fuji had left at some point and went to find the cats bag and Arai had gotten a taste of defeat by someone younger than him. Ryoma accepted the bag and even took it from his with a thank you after. Syusuke was about to leave knowing the boy would like to be left alone, only to be stopped when the boy asked which classroom Ryuzaki was in. This was how they ended wondering the hallways on the second floor while Fuji check all classrooms to see where the tennis coach was.

"Ryo-Chan why ask me to help? I thought you hated me." Fuji said as he just finished checking another classroom.

"Don't call me Ryo-Chan. And I do hate you. But your better than those others." Opening his eye slightly to take in the boys appearance he decided to take his chance.

"I was wondering why do you where a hood all the time?"

"Medical condition." The reply was instant. Syusuke know it was a lie but chose to leave it for now.

They had finally got to the room with Sumire in it. Tezuka was sitting in a seat going over some papers and Oishi and the old lady looked to be discussing something. As soon as they entered the three of them all looked up and Ryuzaki was first to talk.

"That was a good match Ryoma. You do know though that it would of been nicer if you didn't attack his face first." Ryoma made his way to the back of the classroom and mumbled something about stupid monkey. He sat on one of the desks and placed his stuff besides him. Turning his attention back to the others he asked.

"When's Shan meant to be here?" Giving her a glare indicating he wasn't pleased.

"He'll be here soon. He took Seiichi to the hospital. Apparently the cuts where deeper than expected and he want to get them check out." Sumire gave him a look telling him he was lucky that the man had knocked him out otherwise they would be faced with murder charges. Standing up on the table itself he hand his hand clenched in fists at his sides.

"I didn't do anything he started it. It was all his fault. He shouldn't of called me that." She was about to reply when cut off from a person entering the classroom.

"Ryoma. Off the desk." Shan was standing with Yukimura and the principle at the door. "Come on, time to go home."

"Hey Ryo-Chan." The blue hair said as he raised his hand in greeting. You could see the bandage wrapped around his neck. Fuji walk up to Sei and gave him a hug. "Syu you alright?" As he returned the hug.

"Are you two like dating or something?" All turning there attention to the cat, Sei decided to answer.

"Yes Ryo we are. Is that a problem?" He wanted to make sure the boy was alright with this. Especially after his uncle told him of the story about what happened to him and his girlfriend.

"Why should it bother me? I happy that you do. It means I get Shan all to myself." Shan could help the small smile creeping up to his face as the other sweat dropped. Sei already knowing the boy and his ways decided to continue to watch. Ryoma jumped off the desk and walking to Fuji he said in a serious tone. "As long as you keep the dog away from Shan I like you."

"Dog?" Syusuke asked slightly confused. Ryoma pointed to Sei and nodded.

"Him. Shan got him as a pet but I don't like it. He can stay with you if you want." Fuji now understood what Sei meant when saying Ryoma hated him. It wasn't Sei himself but it was Seis relationship with Shan.

Finally Tezuka decided to move. Giving the paper to Ryuzaki before saying goodbye and leaving. The others didn't take long to follow. Shan offered a rid to Oishi and Fuji. Oishi declined saying something about going to the shops first while Fuji accepted. In the car it was peaceful. Ryoma was in the passenger seat while the two 18 year old where leaning against each other in the back.

"Hey, Sei I know you said you where busy this Saturday but I was wondering if you would take Ryoma to see a tennis tournament? You have to go by train to get there and he has never been on one before." Shan said looking in the review mirror at the two lovebirds in the back. Sei looking at Fuji who gave a nod.

"Yeah, sure as long as Syusuke is with us." Ryoma giving a huff as he turned to look at the two.

"I can go on my own. I don't need babysitters." Sei knowing Shan concern thought of an excuse.

"Ah, but me and Syu where planning on going on a date anyway. So it would be nice to go somewhere. Besides if we go with you, we could bring money and buy you Ponta." Ryoma liked the idea. Maybe Shan's pet wasn't so bad. The uncle knew he would be paying. Sei had no money and got it all from him. He couldn't disagree with his approach to try getting close to the boy but he just wished it didn't have to involve his wallet.

The rest of the rid was silent. He had just stopped in front of the Fuji residence when Ryoma decided to ask what had been on his mind. "Hey, Shan."

"Mm, What wrong?"

"I was just wondering." Getting the interest of the two in the back stopped with there goodbyes and listened. "How do two guys make love?"

Shan turning his head so he was looking out the window so he could hide his face from the rest while Fuji and Yukimura both had twin smirks on there faces. Looking into each others eyes and knowing that this Saturday was going to be fun.

(With Tezuka)

He had just left the classroom and was making his way home. He was shock to say the least. After his first meeting with the boy he thought he was this shy child which seems to be the case. But it also included now violent and easily annoyed. It was almost like this kid had no idea how to act around others. Thinking back he remembered the first meeting. Hugh crowds seem to make him jumpy and almost clingy. But if it was only a few people and he had a rough idea of who they where he could be loud and angry. From what he got a second ago he became protective of those he loves. Deciding to leave it at that he walk into his house and greeted his grandfather who was about to go out fishing.

This is how he ended up near a river with him and his grandfather Kunikazu. The sun was slowly setting and they had only caught a few fish so far.

"Grandfather I was wondering what is the problem with Echizen?"

"Ahh, so you have met him. His life is complicated. Why don't you try getting closer to him. He use to be alright with people when we first found him. Cautious but he was very confused and didn't understand how to interact with others. I still think he has that same problem but it's just gotten worse. There was an incident about a month and a half ago. He was still in America with Shan. They lived about 5 minutes from a tennis court. He would let Ryoma go there on his own but one day he didn't come home and it was getting late." While talking he put more bait on the line and threw it back into the river. "Shan went out looking and found the boy unconscious. He was beaten pretty badly. His stomach was kick in and his ribs where fairly bruised. We had to use an awful amount of money from the sponsors to give the doctors to keep there silence on the matter when they treated him."

"Why would you need to buy peoples silence?" Kunimitsu was getting more and more curious. He wanted answers. Yes he was getting some but not the ones he preferred. It was like people kept covering for the boy.

"Like I said his not like us. Anyway after he closed in on himself and even Shan had slight trouble. He would still show affection to the man but doesn't always listen to him anymore. Shan Yukimura had told Ryoma not to get into fights and to walk away. From what I heard this gang was causing trouble and the kid was going to go straight home but it seems they noticed. They started to shout abusive words at him and he ignored them like he was told. It seems they didn't like that so they tried to get a reaction by hitting him instead. It seems no matter what he wouldn't break his promise that he kept. So he didn't fight back."

"Is that why he has the problem with others touching him?" Getting a nod from his grandfather they sat there for another ten minutes before packing up and making there way home. "Grandfather, I have one more question. Who are the sponsors and what are there purpose?"

"The Atobe corporation and for there purpose there not really sponsors but we just call them that. I suppose you could say there a source of protection. So if anything happens to him we can always count on them for financial backing."

"Who would he need protection from?" Giving his grandson a sad smile he left the question unanswered and they both walked home in silence.

(With Fuji)

He couldn't help the smile he had on his face when walking though the door. Shans face was just priceless. Shan had chosen to read the newspaper he had left in the car while he told him and Seiichi to explain saying they had more experience.

And they did just that. In more detail then they probably should have. Shans face was a new shade of red and Ryoma had actually taken it pretty well, he seemed really interested. It seems the boy liked it when people answered his questions. It was quiet sweet. The poor kid didn't understand just how love truly worked. So to him it was like an everyday question. Syu thought back to the conversation with Sei after hearing that the boy was tortured. He could tell there was more to it though. For a child to not really understand love. He just assumed that his parents weren't the loving type.

As Syusuke laid on his bed he just kept thinking of today events. From the kids breakdown to him calling Sei a dog and so on. One question on his mind though was why the hood was so important to keep on. Closing his eyes and going over options in his head he couldn't find a rational explanation. Letting out a sigh of frustration he sat up and looked towards his cactus. After all Syusuke Fuji hated being left out of things especially when it came to his boyfriend knowing something that he has wanted to find out first.

Thank you everyone for taking you time to read this story.

And a special thank you to those who review. It's nice getting them and I enjoy reading what you put.

XX :)