Black Tennis

Gummi's Jar: As you can see, I have officially changed my name to Gummi. And good news! The long awaited debut of the shinigami will be in a few more chapters! Few more as in most likely 3 more chapters. Which is when we write about episode 20. Look forward to it! Now, enjoy the chapter! I have also posted what Sebastian's racket looks likes. It is basically Ciel's racket only in black. You can find it on my website. Thank you! And also, Jelli and I have officially changed our site name to gellatinp0wr (dot) webs (dot) com.

DVP21: -Yawn- Finally back from camping. I was completely relaxed... until I came home and my family was in an uproar. Trying to get back into writing but I have been lacking motivation and inspiration. Hope my work doesn't reflect that.

Notices:

Gummi: There's a bit of Momo torturing in this chapter courtesy of our dear Sebas-chan~…eheheh. Reason why it wasn't stated in A/N on the bottom of the page: we didn't plan this chapter yet! Haha. Just a small warning…this chapter is quite long, at least, in my opinion. Also, there may be some slight references to the manga now, seeing that I finally brought out enough interest to finish reading it. Happy reading!

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

Disclaimer: We do not own Kuroshitsuji and/or Prince of Tennis

Chapter 8 (Episodes 11, 12, 13)

"A middle schooler and another elementary school kid?"

Ciel, who was sitting on a tree with Sebastian, perked up at this. They were at a nearby street tennis court looking for matches. Ciel had ordered Sebastian to accompany him again to the courts, having played their once with Sebastian and ended up with a winning streak. Not surprising though. He had come here again due to boredom and wanting to make a fool out of some people who thought they were good at tennis. He hadn't accompanied Momo and Ryoma when they had offered him to hang out together after school. 'Elementary school kid? Sounds like a certain someone I know…' He stood up with Sebastian following suit.

"Young Master, is there something wrong?"

"No. Let's go watch the match. Ryoma's probably here. I want to see how he does in doubles." Ciel took off towards a tree closer to the courts; not a single leaf was rustled. Sebastian following a second after. They both landed quietly before both taking a branch to sit down on, intent on watching Ryoma and Momo's match.

"It's good to have no generation gap; like the other pair who beat up all the other teams," one of Ryoma and Momo's opponents commented.

"It's gonna be an easy win."

"They're saying something."

'Another elementary school student? Other pair? Wait…' Ryoma responded, "Who'd you say was in an elementary school?"

"It's your serve," Ryoma and Momo looked over at the two people who had approached them a moment ago, "Your opponents are high school guys."

"But hang in there, bro," said the one with the slicked back hair.

Momo looked back over to Ryoma and told him not to hold back and hit them with THAT move. Not that Ryoma was arguing with it, he wasn't going to hold back anyway. He agreed and bounced the ball once on the floor. As he bounced the ball continuously on the ground, his hat shadowing his eyes, he overheard one of the guys across the court compliment his form. He suddenly jumped up into the air and into his usual form for serving a rather…special serve. The ball was shot across the court in an unintimidating manner. That is, until the ball smacked on the ground and made a sudden change in direction. In his haste to get out of the line of attack, the baseliner tripped over his own feet and fell backwards. Whispers broke out from the spectators, having not seen a serve like that before.

"15-0," the referee announced. The game quickly passed by; it was won easily by the pair…but only using serves. No one had been able to see how their coordination was like yet.

"Come on, who's next?" Momo asked. Another pair came up and announced that Momo and Ryoma would be playing them. They got themselves in position, this time the other pair was serving. The game was once again won without either of them breaking a sweat. This time winning with only returns. And to the spectators, this was apparently "sugoi."

"Oi, is no one else going to play?" Momo yelled out in question. At this, Ciel got ready to jump down from his spot in the tree. Sebastian, who noticed movement, followed Ciel down not a second later. They walked closer to the courts, wanting to play a match. Too bad for them, they didn't make it in time. Another pair walked onto the court and declared that they would be Momo and Ryoma would be playing them.

"No way, the second best pair we have here," an onlooker breathed out.

Ciel and Sebastian walked closer to the courts, intent on watching this game closely. That gathered the attention of the people who were around them. "It's THAT pair," someone said. Sebastian, being as creepy as ever, shot his smile that promised eternal pain to whoever had almost brought attention to them. This, accompanied by Ciel's death glare, immediately sent shivers up everyone's spine. They all gulped before turning back to the game. They watched as Momo and Ryoma both headed for the ball that was shot right in the middle. 'They seriously need some training in doubles…' Ciel said. They stopped right before they could smack each other with the racket. The ball passed and the two broke out into an argument.

The point was won in a slightly different way. The ball headed over towards the edge of the court but Ryoma made no move towards it. "By the way, Momo-senpai the doubles' boundary line is here, isn't it?" Ryoma asked, pointing his racket at the line.

"So, what?"

"It's hard because it's my first time."

"First time? No way!"

"Does it look like I've played doubles before?" Ryoma asked like everyone should know this fact. Ciel tried to reign in a snicker but failed. This kid really knew how to crack Ciel up sometimes. Ryoma, hearing this snicker, looked over to where Ciel was standing. His jaw dropped in surprise that Ciel was here.

One of their opponents turned to face who was laughing. As he turned, he said, "Do you mind? We are trying to-" He immediately shut his mouth seeing who it was. In all his glory stood Ciel. Sebastian standing close behind as always. A smirk plastered on the young demon's face while a smile -an all too happy smile- was plastered on Sebastian's face. He recognized them. They were the pair beating everyone else effortlessly. Just like the opponents he was currently facing. However, unlike the inexperienced pair they were playing now, they actually had the skills to play doubles.

Ryoma was still silent in shock. His eyes large. He rubbed his eyes trying not to believe that he was imaging them.

Momo was different. He didn't keep his thoughts silent. "Eh! Phantomhive…Phantomhive-sensei!" He paled. He hadn't finished his over-amount of history homework yet. Let alone his other homework. To think his teachers expected it all to be done by Monday. Then realization struck him. "Wait... Phantomhive and Phantomhive... You're related!"

Ryoma's and Ciel's face faulted. Sebastian -with his smile still in place- slowly opened his right eye half way. The way he stared was like a predator watching his prey. Sebastian replied, "Of course. Isn't it obvious? We are father and son. Though I would've expected even you to figure it out based on our last names. It isn't the most common one around," His grin widened. "Though instead of worrying about our appearance, shouldn't you should be focusing on your match."

They all returned to their positions. Sebastian and Ciel sat down on a nearby bench. To them the players there were weak. It didn't take long for them to gain a reputation.

Back to the game, Momo and Ryoma's opponents prepared to serve another ball.

One guy had a large bead of sweat roll down his face. 'Those two. They are the demon pair.'

His partner was the one to snap him out. "Pay attention. They aren't our opponents."

That brought comfort to him. He was right. Their opponents weren't the undefeatable demon pair -a name the usual players came up with for them. It was the two newbies in front of them. Admittedly they were excellent at tennis -that is if they were playing singles- but doubles isn't singles. They were definitely were not doubles players. In a few swift and quick hits the game was theirs.

Ryoma and Momo glared at each other. Both were obviously blaming each other for their loss.

"Pathetic." The four as well as most of the viewers looked at the father-son demonic pair. Ciel stood and as usual Sebastian followed his lead showing his loyalty as he always did.

In a blink of an eye, Ryoma noticed he was no longer on the court but off to the side near the bench Ciel and Sebastian had just previously been occupying. In their place on the court were Ciel and Sebastian. 'How did they do that?'

Sebastian was staring at the previous winners with a malicious grin. That all too happy smile was long gone, and now replacing it was one of a predator readying to catch its prey. In Sebastian's hand was his racket. It looked similar to Ciel's. The only difference being that his was black. They were twin rackets that he had made himself after all.

"Sebastian." That was all Ciel needed to say for Sebastian to respond. He knew what his young master wanted. A quick game to end this all. Not to traumatize the kids, but to give it to them hard. The raven haired man walked to the baseline and went into position.

From the sidelines Momo asked, "Are they really father and son? They don't act anything like a parent and child. He calls Phantomhive-sensei by his given name and acts like he is in control!"

"Mada mada dane." Though somewhere deep down Ryoma was just as curious. Momo's observations were correct. There was something strange about them. He was suspicious, but he didn't show it.

After four quick serves courtesy of Sebastian they had already won the game. They had only needed serves. With the speed of the ball, no one could've even been able to move an inch to react, let alone return the ball.

Ciel yawned. Again, this place is too boring, he thought, there isn't any challenge. Calling out to Sebastian once more he made the turn to leave. As he took a foot off the court he stopped in his tracks. Without looking back he announced to his school teammates, "Sebastian and I will meet you on Ryoma's court tomorrow at 11:00 sharp." Ryoma opened his mouth to protest. "I go to your house every day anyway. We will teach you how to play doubles...that is, if you're up to it. Don't be late," he looked back with his sharp, calculating, blue eye. "It'll probably be your only hope." Turning to his 'father' he said, "Let us return now."

"Hai."

The two left the courts like shadows.

Ryoma and Momo glanced at the two who had just defeated them prior before being defeated by their teammate and his father -who is also their sensei- before looking at each other. Determination set firmly in their eyes. They were thinking the same thing. They would defeat them at their own game.

Momo pedaled like his life was at stake. It was officially Saturday, the day before the district matches and the day after the offer to be taught in doubles was made. For all Momo knew, his life would be at stake if his sensei, Sebastian Phantomhive was involved. Who knew what kind of punishment his teacher could've cooked up. His alarm clock had unexpectedly betrayed him this morning. Waking up at an unplanned 10:50, he had grabbed a piece of bread before jumping on his bike and pedaled as fast as he could to the Echizen residence.

He had little time to admire the big house. Once the door was opened by a blue haired girl.

"Oh, you must be Momoshiro-kun. Ryoma-kun and Ciel-kun are at the temple court a few feet up the street. He yelled out a quick thanks before jumping on the bike and arriving at a record time at the base of the stairs. He had one minute to make it up the stairs and to the court. Taking in a breath, he raced up the steps and arrived at the court right when the clock struck 11.

"Your late."

Momo glanced up and saw Sebastian looming over him with a smile.

"But it's 11!"

"10 seconds late, take 50 laps around the court."

"But-"

"60."

Momo let out a sigh, seeing that Sebastian wouldn't be relenting anytime soon, he started on his laps. Momo watched Ryoma warm up by hitting the ball against a wall. Oh, how he wished could be doing that. He was starting to rethink his decision of coming here to get some training. Knowing the circumstances, with Sebastian involved, he thought that he would just save himself the pain and just get it over with. 10 minutes later, he was finally done. He collapsed on the ground trying to catch his breath. He was wasted. And to think there was more coming soon.

"Please…*pant*…tell me…*pant*…that this…*pant*…is the worst…*pant*…that we will be doing…*pant*…today."

Ciel, who was sitting on a bench going over some papers, snickered and announced, "Tired already? Good luck dealing with what Sebastian is going to tell you to do next."

"First, we should have you two get used to not returning every single hit by yourself. You two have to decide who will get each ball. Good luck!" Sebastian walked to the other side of his court. Ryoma resumed the same position he took yesterday, at the baseline, while Momo walked up closer to the net. Ciel threw Sebastian's racket over to him and he caught it one-handed. Picking up a ball from a basket, he hit the ball over the net, straight down the middle. As expected, both players clashed in the middle and they broke out into a fight…again.

"I could've gotten that!"

"It was headed towards me so I could've got it!"

"Whoever is at the baseline can easily hit the ball back if it goes down the middle, remember that," Sebastian advised. Following his advice, Ryoma and Momo found that it was an effective way to keep from murdering each other in the center of their side of the court. After a few returns, Ryoma started running up front towards the net, and Sebastian seeing this, shot another ball down the center. Both students attempted to go for the ball and once again, and they tried to kill each other. Before another fight could break out, Sebastian called out, "Whoever was closer should hit the ball. So Momoshiro should've hit it."

Exactly the next day later, the day of the tournament, to say that some strategies for doubles have been imbedded deeply into the minds of Momo and Ryoma would have been an understatement. When it came to tortu-…er…training, Sebastian and Ciel took it quite seriously. Ryoma, sat inside his house eating breakfast, waiting for Momo to stop by to pick him up. Ciel had told him that he would be unable to go to the tournament location with him, due to some complications that came up. Which led to him having to go with Sebastian. Not long after, Momo yelled from outside the house, announcing his arrival to the rest of the world.

Mutters broke out from the people that were gathered at the registration desk. All of the people intent on seeing Seigaku's tennis team. Tezuka, as stoic as ever, approached the desk and handed in the registration forms. Ciel, being the demon he is, heard a group of kids commenting on the "kids." No doubt they were quite shocked to see such an advanced team have freshmen in their ranks. The two boys from the tennis courts yesterday, were also quite shocked…to see the two people they beat at the tournament. Even more so now that they saw that they were among the Seigaku regulars.

Once they walked over to the designated courts, Inui showed everyone the line-up for the 1st matches. It was soon discovered that Tezuka wasn't going to play in these matches. And with that, the discovery of Momo and Ryoma playing doubles was also soon discovered. Everyone let out gasps, clearly not expecting that line-up. They all looked over to the courts and observed what was happening. They watched as the two doubles pairs get ready for their matches. To say the least, Momo and Ryoma were completely not in sync with each other compared to the Golden Pair. But everyone had yet to see what had happened during training with our two demons.

The regulars all went onto the court to officially start the matches. The line-up for the day was announced along with the rules. While everyone left the court after that, Ryoma and Momo stayed behind. After all, it was time for their match. Ciel, surprisingly, decided to stay to observe the match; since he wanted to see how effective the training was on the two idiots. Sebastian, as the perfect butler he is, stood right by Ciel, observing as well.

"First match, in doubles. Seigaku's Momoshiro and Echizen pair. Gyokuin's Izumi and Fukawa pair."

The two pairs walked up to the net and shook hands. The game had officially start.

(Gummi: I was thinking of leaving you here…but, I'll be nice)

"This is great, if it was singles, you guys could've won," Fukawa commented.

Lowering his head, Ryoma replied rather arrogantly, "No doubt about it," from that, he received rather heated glares. "But you know what? It feels better to beat someone at their own game." Sebastian smirked at this, remembering back to the Jack the Ripper incident when he attempted to get rid of the red haired thing for good with his own death scythe.

"We'll teach you guys that you can't master the art of doubles just by practicing for a couple of days!" Izumi nagged.

"We'll see, we're genius' when it comes to learning." Momo replied. Ciel and Sebastian, on the other hand thought, "More like the way to play was pounded into your thick skulls.'

"Echizen, let's go with the AH-UN strategy!" and a positive reply was returned. Everyone outside of the court, questioned this weird phrase; having not heard of it before. Ciel muttered, "And the results of all that training goes down the drain…" Sebastian smiled in response.

"One set match! Gyokurin, Izumi to serve."

Cheering broke out in the crowds. Both sides avidly supporting their school. With that, the Gyokurin pair served the ball. Once it was returned to their side, Izumi once again hit the ball straight down the middle, not expecting the pair to be able to return the ball.

"Ah!"

"Un!"

Those two exclamations were the turn-point for the game. Everyone froze at the phrase. A horrid phrase indeed. The worst anyone could come up with. It was no wonder how the ball escaped to the other side, putting the other team to a fault.

"0-15!"

The other side gaped in awe, completely not expecting the return. The same could not be said for the Seigaku side of cheering however. Everyone broke out into screams. Ciel thought back to the day before, when they actually thought of the stupid phrase.

"You two…are not in sync at all," Sebastian sighed. "I don't see how you two want to even try to play doubles. Though if you two really are as hard-headed as I thought, you might want to give this strategy a try."

Looking over he saw the fiery determination burning deep inside the eyes Ryoma and Momo. He was afraid that was the answer. "Fine then. You should think of a phrase, 2 syllable. If the ball goes down the middle, whoever yells out the first syllable first, hits the ball. The second person, will then yell out the second syllable, to let the first person know that they understand and will not clash with the other in the middle of the court."

"Yosh! Echizen! Let's think of a phrase!"

"Hai."

Glancing around, their eyes landed two red statues. Both immediately knew what the other was thinking. "Ah!" Momo said.

"Un!" Echizen yelled out.

Sebastian and Ciel just stood there, thinking this had to be the second most embarrassing thing on Earth. The first, of course, being the fact when they had to use the phrase, "The Phoenix!" Although both demons knew Ah-Un was weird enough, they were glad that Ryoma and Momo had not gone with saying, "The Phoenix!"

Ciel brought himself out of the reverie, shuddering at the same time. He had not meant to remember his second encounter with the Viscount.

Izumi and Fukawa tried to decide on their next shot. Now that they knew the middle of the court would no longer be effective, they had to think of another plan of action. After serving, the two decided to try on something a bit different. Izumi hit the ball right behind Momo, leading to Ryoma heading to the other side of the court to get the ball. Once they were lined up, Fukawa made the deciding shot for their next point…right down the unguarded side of the opposite court. And as expected, the two beginner doubles players clashed not at the middle, but at the other side of the court. Despite getting the point, both Gyokurin players knew that if their opponents had been a second earlier, they would've returned the ball.

Deciding on yet another strategy seeing as what they had just tried just now would not work again. The two this time, decided to try a doubles formation…the doubles approach. Both of the better doubles players smirked once they saw that the other two could not return the ball. Keeping to this strategy, the Gyokurin pair won two matches straight. Ryoma and Momo were called back to talk with Coach Ryuzaki.

Ciel frowned when he saw Ryoma and Momo break out into a fight. This was not good at all if they actually wanted to win the game. Even though he wasn't the one playing, he still took it as if he was. After all, Ciel never lost any games. Not anytime, not anywhere. He was sure to think of something to assist the boys in their match.

After they returned to the court, Ciel felt a light bulb go off inside his head. He watched as Momo hit Ryoma on the head with the ball when serving. Ryoma glared daggers at Momo in return. Quite ironically, the next point was lost by Ryoma since he "accidently" smacked Momo on the head with the ball. Ciel, deciding this was the last straw, pulled Sebastian over to the side to tell him about his idea. After explaining what he had in mind to Sebastian, they both returned to their spots, Ciel focusing on Ryoma and Sebastian focusing on Momo.

On the court, the Ryoma and Momo both individually felt a presence invading his mind (1). It was a peculiar feeling, like something unwanted silently and subtly slithering in. Both heard a rather…persuasive voice in their head, encouraging them to try something to improve on their doubles strategy. Right after their staring contest was over, the tall and the short turned their separate ways, one headed to the center front and the other to the center back of the court. The voices were still in their head, telling them to separate the court in half and play the game as if it were singles. When Ryoma began drawing the line on the ground with his racket, he felt the foreign feeling retreat from his head. He found it strange, pretty sure that he didn't think about making this line himself. And besides, the voice somehow sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. He dismissed the thought, but kept it in mind, in case he ever needed it.

"Oh? Momo-senpai was thinking the same thing?" he asked.

"Looks like it." And with that, the line that would secure their victory was formed.

Everyone was quite surprised. The unexpected victory had been given to the Ryoma Momo pair. However, as everyone rejoiced, Ciel compared how this, was quite similar to chess. Besides, he never loses a game in chess. Ciel and Sebastian snickered when they saw the two doubles players practically be murdered by their cheeks.

The next game, was won in a blink of an eye with a 6-0 in favor of the synchronized Golden Pair, as expected. The singles three match, however, was won by intimidation rather than a full out match…courtesy of Kaidoh.

"Damn, I can't let them sweep us!" The next opponent from Gyokurin yelled out. He watched as the ever so small Ciel walk onto the court like he owned it. "Ok, with this little kid? I may have a chance."

Moments later…

Ciel left the court nonchalantly. Which was the complete opposite of his opponent. Said opponent was quaking in fear and fell to his knees completely in shock. Who would expect such a small child to be so…demonically strong? The ground all around the opponent was filled with craters, Ciel had not gone easy on him at all. Added to a show of Serve to Hells, you have a very broken person.

Fuji, simply won the game, no tricks whatsoever.

"ALRIGHT! VICTORY!" And you can all guess who that was.

Heehee, how'd you all like the chapter? Good? Yes? No? I hope the length was enough to make up for the delayed update.

Next Chapter: Ciel and Fuji are paired up in a match against Fudomine!

(1) On the court, the Ryoma and Momo both individually felt a presence invading his mind This is made in reference to the Devil, Satan, Lucifer, whatever you want to call him. He is the one who tempted Eve to eat from that forbidden tree. So, as a demon, naturally they can also invade others minds and twist their thoughts into what said demon wants them to do.

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