A/N: Good afternoon/morning/evening/night people! It's TheSnarkyAuthor here with another very late update! I swear, I am not an imposter (wait...am I?... crap...), and I am in fact still alive and kicking. I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who have followed/favorited/reviewed either me or my story. Can you believe that it has almost been a year?! I'm super stoked people! I can say with all certainty that I never expected this many people to ever like, or even read my story, after all it's just something that some random 20 year old college student thought up one day after probably suffering some kind of severe heat stroke (it is seriously hot where I live).

A huge, ginormous thanks to Syrenhug, my ever wonderful beta who I'm sure wanted to kick my butt several times over the past three months. I don't know how I ever managed without her. Kudos and cookies go to you deary!

Haha. Anyways, I'll get out of your hair and let you enjoy the long awaited chapter 10!

Usual disclaimer. I don't own Prince of Tennis, it and his characters belong to Takeshi Konomi. HOWEVER what happens to his characters... well, that's a different story... ;)

Previously on I Can Only Rely On Myself:

Grabbing Ryoma's arm he pulled the boy close, encircling Ryoma in his arms and effectively trapping him there. "Saa. What I'm more interested in is what you were talking about earlier."

Ryoma growled. He shifted his weight on to one foot as he moved his leg back and kicked forward with all the strength he could manage considering his situation. His kick landed successfully, making Fuji's eyes go comically wide as he crumpled to the ground in pain. Ryoma glared down at Fuji as he towered over him, eyes flashing with defiance. "Let me make this perfectly clear: What happens in my life is my business, not yours. You can be interested in anything you choose, but that doesn't mean that I have to answer your stupid questions."

Stepping around Fuji, Ryoma made his way out of the bathroom, eyes fierce and ready for a fight.

Ryoma entered the bedroom, head held high and eyes flashing with determination. He didn't know who these guys thought they were playing with, but he'd had enough. He was done with being toyed with, with being sexually harassed, with being trapped. As far as he was concerned the five freaks could suck it, because he was through.

Actually, on second thought, no, they would probably enjoy that too much.

Atobe, who was lying lengthwise along the edge of the bed, looked at Ryoma. "Hnnn. It looks like the brat finally decided to come out of the bathroom. What took you so long?" In a graceful move, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and moved into a sitting position. Propping his head on hands, he leaned forward and quirked his brow. "Where's Fuji?"

A semblance of a smirk crossed Ryoma's face as he looked at Atobe. "I wonder."

"We know he went in there with you. Did something happen?" Movement from the corner of his eye signaled that the speaker this was different this time. Not the Monkey King, but the brunette with glasses, Tezuka.

Not even bothering to turn his head, Ryoma rolled his eyes. "What do you think?"

Tezuka regarded the boy; the slight twitching of his eyebrow was the only thing that gave away his annoyance. "I think that doesn't answer my question."

"Mitsu-chan, I'm fine." Emerging from the bathroom, Fuji's face showed no sign of the previous pain he'd been in. "Ryoma-chan and I were just rough housing a bit. Nothing to be too concerned about. Na, Ry-o-ma-chan?"

Ryoma turned to look at Fuji, whose face was suspiciously happy. Self-preservation told him that he really shouldn't get close to the ever smiling brunette anytime soon and deciding that was probably for the best, he slowly backed to the other side of the room, his eyes never leaving Fuji's. He'd be better off with the stiff looking bookworm than he would with the blue eyed sadist. "Rough housing? I wasn't aware that's what people called sexual assault nowadays."

Fuji grinned as he noticed Ryoma backing away from him. Probably a good move on his part, but sadly not much fun for him. After all, no one racked Fuji Syusuke and got away with it. "Saa, Ryoma. It's only assault if the other one doesn't participate, which, if you recall, you did."

Ryoma could feel all the eyes in the room on him as he gaped, his face flushing. He didn't really have anything to say to that, but like hell was he going to stand here and take it. "That doesn't mean anything! I was taken off guard!" He hissed, averting his gaze as the floor suddenly became very interesting. Why was it that these idiots could get under his skin so much?

"Hnnn. So Syu kissed the brat and the brat liked it. What an interesting development." Amusement was evident in Atobe's voice as he walked over to the teen. He glanced back at Fuji. "So tell me, Syu, was the brat any good?"

"Hold on! I never said I liked it! Why would I like some pushy, perverted bastard shoving his tongue down my throat?" Ryoma said. Clenching his fist by his sides, he threw caution to the wind and stalked past Atobe and towards Fuji. To hell with self-preservation, all he needed was one good hit. One good hit and he'd feel a bit better. Reaching Fuji, he grabbed the brunette's shirt collar and yanked him down to eye level. "You're a despicable, disgusting person and I hope you burn."

Fuji chuckled at the serious look on Ryoma's face. He had no doubt that the troubled boy meant what he said. At this moment in time Ryoma did, in fact, believe that he was a 'despicable, disgusting person', and that he did hope that Fuji burned. However, those were just the emotions that the boy was feeling now, not what he felt period. Ryoma had told Atobe something personal, something that he would only diverge to someone that he trusted on some level. After all, most people don't just go around spouting off to random 'perverted bastards' that they were raped. Ryoma had also kissed him back, something which he was more than willing to exploit at the next given opportunity. Which seemed to be presenting itself now.

"Ryo-baby, that's not a very nice thing to say to someone who cares about you." Moving his hands to rest over Ryoma's, Fuji set to work prying them off his shirt.

Ryoma's eyebrows furrowed, his expression making it seem as though he was momentarily lost in thought. This person cared about him? Ha, as if. Nothing that they had done up until then had proven the creeps words to be true. No one put someone through what they had put him through because they cared. He gritted his teeth. "You're so full of it."

"Why would we lie, Ryoma-chan?" The soft voice that came from behind him was followed by slender hands that firmly gripped his wrists, causing him release Fuji and back away. Yukimura spoke carefully. He didn't want to stir up the already aggravated teen. "Why would we go through all the trouble of finding you and taking care of you, if we didn't care about you? Why would we be so intent on trying to figure out what's wrong with someone we only see as a toy? Isn't it obvious that we care about you? That we're worried?"

Ryoma tried to yank and shake the offensive hands off, meeting the eyes of the other inhabitants of the room. They were surprisingly somber at the moment. Had he said something to cause those looks? Trying to think back he couldn't come up with anything out of the ordinary that he'd done. Deciding to leave it be (after all it wasn't like he really cared anyways) he finally managed to pull himself away from the annoying blunette.

"Whatever," He narrowed his eyes in thought. "Where's Karupin?" Looking around the room curiously, he wondered when the last time it was that he had seen his furry friend. Growing concerned he made eye contact with the dark headed stoic in the corner, and spoke, his voice louder this time. "Where's Karupin?"

Sanada stared at the green haired menace with mild amusement. As long as the teenage terror didn't cause his boyfriends any harm, his antics were amusing. He just worried that if they made the boy feel too cornered that he would do something drastic, and he certainly wasn't up for another expedition through the garden. Raising his eyebrows he spoke. "Your cat?"

Annoyance flashed across Ryoma's features as the corners of his mouth tugged downwards in an unpleasant frown. "No, my imaginary friend. Of course it's my cat. Now where's Karupin?" Seriously, were these people daft?

"The brat has an imaginary friend at this age? That's not healthy, Ryoma. You should take better care of yourself." Atobe smirked as the frown on Ryoma's face turned into a snarl. He doubted he would ever find another person as fun to tease as this boy. Of course Ryoma could make this situation a lot better for himself if he would just open up to them and tell them what was going on.

Taking a deep breath so he wouldn't do something he would regret, he closed his eyes and counted to ten. Trying to imagine being somewhere else, anywhere else, other than where he was. He said, in the calmest voice he could muster. "I was being sarcastic. Besides I just said that Karupin is my cat. You people even know that she's my cat; we talked about her in that horrible garden."

"Your cat's fine. It's been roaming around the house gaining the affections of the help. It's becoming quite spoiled." Tezuka spoke up.

After hearing that his beloved pet was fine, Ryoma relaxed a little, his stance loosening up as a soft sigh escaped his lips. "I want to see her."

"Well, brat, that is all going to be based upon whether or not you tell us what is going on." Atobe walked over to the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to soothe the flustered teen.

Upon hearing this Ryoma's head snapped to the side while simultaneously shrugging off the offensive hand. He took a few steps away from the way-too–close-for-comfort male, his eyes narrowing in contempt. "What do you mean it's 'all going to decide on whether or not I tell you what's going on'? To hell with that! Karupin is my family, and it's none of you're damned business what's going on with me!" Spinning around, Ryoma quickly made his way to the door. He didn't have to put up with this anymore. Why he'd put up with it in the beginning was beyond him. He was done.

Reaching for the doorknob, he was stopped by a sudden obstacle in his path. Yukimura. "The fact that you already told us that something was going on, makes it our business. We want to help you."

"You want to help me? Then stay out of my life and don't involve yourself with me any further. You're nothing but an unwanted nuisance."

A hand on his shoulder notified him that a person was behind him. He glanced backwards and met somber, glasses- clad eyes. "That was harsh. We haven't done anything to warrant this kind of behavior."

"Haven't done anything, my ass!" Shaking the hand on his shoulder off he made a move to shove the other man away, but was unable to do so when his wrists were caught in strong hands. "Let me go!"

Tezuka let out a soft sigh of frustration and held back an eye roll. If the boy would just think about things rationally he would see that they meant him no harm, and that in fact they were doing what they could given their limited knowledge, to help him. "Calm down. You're becoming irrational."

"Becoming irrational? Really? I'd be willing to bet that I'm the only rational one in this entire place!" Ryoma began to panic in Tezuka's grip. Why on earth couldn't they leave him alone? Hadn't he made it abundantly clear that he wanted to be left alone? That he wanted nothing to do with them? Yet, according to them, he was the one that's becoming irrational. What kind of messed up sense did that make?

"Ryoma-chan, if you haven't noticed you are the one screaming accusations in the current situation. That doesn't exactly make you the definition of rational does it?" Fuji grinned as a death glare was sent his way. Even with his face splotchy from anger, eyes glowing, and mouth set in a permanent scowl, the teen was adorable.

Chuckling at the antics of his lovers Atobe peered curiously at the boy. In truth Ryoma didn't seem as angry as he was defensive. But then again that may just be wishful thinking on his part.

"Is there something about my circumstance that is amusing, Monkey King?" Ryoma asked. He couldn't find anything funny about the situation and anybody that did clearly needed their heads checked. Not that that was a new discovery or anything. All of them could have used a trip to the psychiatrist's office as far as Ryoma was concerned.

His chuckling coming to a cease at the mention of the abhorred nickname, Atobe glared at the teen. "Ore-sama does not appreciate being called that, brat. Ore-sama in no way resembles a monkey."

"You sure about that? From where I stand you look just like one, especially with that stupid look on your face." Ryoma sneered at the gray haired male, and tugged again at his still ensnared wrists.

Ore-sama resents that remark. Ore-sama does not have a stupid look on his face, his face is magnificent. You should be in awe of his prowess." Atobe sniffed in disdain. How dare the brat insult the great Atobe Keigo's face?

Entirely fed up with the situation at hand, Ryoma stumbled over his feet as he threw all his weight backwards, finally breaking free from the strong grip. Regaining his balance he slowly backed himself up against the door, securing the doorknob in his grasp. "I'm in awe of something all right, but it definitely isn't your prowess."

"You're such a brat."

"And you're an arrogant asshole."

The two males faced each other, each shooting the other a deathly glower. Feeling the tension, Sanada tried to intervene. "Why don't we just calm down? Keigo, Ryoma isn't a brat." He turned his attention to Ryoma.

"And Keigo isn't an arrogant asshole. Now you two apologize to each other."

"I don't see why I have to apologize to someone who addresses himself in third person as 'Ore-sama'. It's stupid. This entire situation is stupid. I don't see why you want me here, other than for some sick sort of entertainment. I want to go home."

"Ryoma-chan." Yukimura's arms reached out slightly with his palms facing upwards, hoping to de-escalate the situation. "Nobody sees you as a form of entertainment. I think you might be misunderstanding some -"

"I'm not misunderstanding anything. You approached me because you found me interesting and you wanted to keep me as some sort of pet. You have no intention of taking me seriously, so I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone and stay out of my life. Pretend all of this never happened and forget that I am someone that even exists. And I'll do the same."

Glancing at Yukimura, he averted his gaze downward. "Please. I don't want to be here any longer."

Feeling like he was missing something, Fuji opened his eyes to meet Ryoma's golden ones. Holding his gaze he attempted to mollify the teen, his voice the picture of sincerity. "Ryo-chan, we really do want to help you."

Ignoring the honest gaze, Ryoma rolled his eyes. They couldn't be serious."Then leave me alone! I never asked for your help. I don't want it. I don't need it."

"Ryo-ch–"

Yukimura stopped him. "Let him go."

Everyone turned to look at Yukimura in confusion. Why would they just let him go when they had fought so hard to keep him there? How did that make any sense? And what was Ryoma supposed to do if they let him leave? He didn't have anywhere else to go, did he?

"Seiichi, are you sure about this?" Tezuka questioned, eyes narrowed slightly in disbelief. "Don't do something that you will regret later on."

Nodding at Ryoma, Yukimura asserted confidently. "I'm sure. He obviously doesn't want to be here, and if we force him to stay any longer he'll just hate us more than he already does." Turning his gaze to his boyfriends his tone softened. "I don't want him to hate us."

Taking that as his cue to leave, Ryoma twisted the doorknob and opened the door to go. "I'm leaving now. Please don't follow me."

He was just about to step out of the bedroom when someone grabbed him from behind. Glancing over his shoulder, he recognized the dark headed stoic. "Didn't you say to Keigo that you were disowned? Where do you plan on going?"

Ryoma was taken aback by the look of concern on the generally, from what he'd seen, expressionless face. Where was he going to go? That was a good question. He didn't have much money left and no job to provide income. He really had no idea what he was going to do. But one thing was for certain, he couldn't stay here any longer. If he did, he had a feeling that he would someday be unable to leave and that thought was something that was far more dangerous to him than not having any money or place to stay.

"I'll figure something out. I always do."

Maybe if he looked more certain of himself than he felt, they would let him go. They had to let him go. Noticing that no one made a move to stop him, Ryoma took a deep breath and walked out the door to find Karupin.

"Yukimura, are you really sure about this?" Fuji looked curiously at the blunette. It was so unlike him to let something he wanted go. Usually he would fight tooth and nail until finally the object of his infatuation gave up and let him have his way. The fact that the same didn't go for Ryoma must have meant that Yukimura valued him considerably more than they had thought.

At the apparent confusion on his lovers faces Yukimura grinned. "I'm sure. We'll let him go for now. But that doesn't mean that we won't keep an eye on him." Turning to Atobe, Yukimura smirked. "Do you think that you could call him and ask him to keep an eye on Ryoma-chan for us?"

Furrowing his brows in thought, Atobe nodded. "I think that he'll be able to keep an eye on the brat for us. However, I don't see why we have to go to this length. We could have just had the servants close the gates and not allow him to escape."

Warmth enveloped the gray haired male as tanned arms captured him from behind in an embrace. "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

A man with an egg shaped head, dark eyes and a buzz cut peeked around the door and into the living room of the shared apartment where his boyfriend was napping on the couch. Smiling affectionately at the generally hyperactive redhead, he walked up to the couch to wake the male. "Kikumaru, you have a phone call from Atobe-san."

Cobalt eyes opened lazily at the sound of his name, and while rubbing his eyes blearily, he accepted the phone from Oishi. Bringing the receiver to his ear, he mumbled. "Atobe-san? It's Eiji."

After listening to Atobe talk to him and agreeing to what was being asked of him, he hung up the phone and toppled over onto the couch once more. Oishi came over and sat next to him. "What was that about?"

"That's a good question, nya. Apparently I'm supposed to follow around some kid and make sure he doesn't get into any trouble. And if he does, I'm supposed to call either Atobe or one of his lovers, nya." Scooting closer to Oishi, Eiji laid his head in the others lap.

Oishi narrowed his eyes. "Who's the kid?"

Eiji shrugged and yawned, cuddling closer to the others warmth. "Someone named Echizen Ryoma. Other than that I have no idea. However, I do feel sorry for him for catching the eye of Atobe-san and his lovers."

Having gone back to the hotel that he had been staying at to see if his rackets and belongings were still there, he was pleasantly pleased to find that they were. With his things acquired and in hand, he had made his way to the closest tennis court. After the nightmare that his life had been the past few days, he felt that he deserved an hour or two to unwind.

Ryoma heaved a sigh of relief as he got out of the bus and stepped out onto the tennis courts. Placing his suitcase and racket case against the fence, he looked around to make sure that he hadn't been followed, and upon seeing no one he finally allowed himself to relax. Even if he had nothing else, at least he had tennis. Taking out a racket and ball, he made his way over to an empty spot on the wall and started hitting the ball back and forth between the wall and himself. The familiar thump of the ball and the feel of the racket in his hand made him feel free for the first time in ages. Everything seemed almost as if it had all been one big nightmare.

Focusing solely on the ball, Ryoma didn't notice when someone walked up next to him. "Mind if I take the spot next to you?"

Gracefully catching the ball in his hand, Ryoma muttered in disinterest as he started to turn towards the voice. "Go ahead." His disinterest didn't last long as his body stiffened on reflex as he met the blue eyed gaze of the other person; Ryoma's eyes widened in shock and he went pale. What was he doing here?

Backing away from the other person, he turned to make a run for it. He didn't get very far however, as he was yanked backwards and shoved roughly up against the wall that he had been hitting the ball at moments before. Getting away was practically impossible as his arms were being held above his head, effectively pinning him there.

Ryoma looked up at the attacker and growled. "Let go of me, Kevin!"

A/N: Welp guys, that's all I have for you this time... Don't hate me too much, k?

READ AND REVIEW guys. Seriously. I love getting them. They make me giggle like a lovestruck school girl.

Any suggestions you guys have for me, I consider seriously. So if you have any criticisms or suggestions about the story don't hesitate to PM me. I don't bite... hard... maybe... Haha. Juuuust kidding.

Also, no flames people. It's too hot for those and I don't feel like dealing with them. :)

Snarky out!

Peace. Love. Tacos. Yaoi.

TheSnarkyAuthor.