A/N: Oh boy life has really taken its toll on me. I've been busy beyond imagination, but I'm back! I just really hope this chapter is satisfactory! Also this chapter may be a bit short considering I don't get much time on the computer. Not much else to say but thank you to all for the reviews and hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: If you considering owning the first season boxed set owning them, then hell ya, they're mine. If not then back off!

Chapter 12 Surprise Visitor

One week had passed since Ryoma had been taken to the hospital. One week since he even so much as looked at a tennis racquet. Sure he had watched matches on his TV, but it wasn't the same. He admitted seeing some of the matches made him itch to get out of that bed and play himself. But he hated to admit he was too weak at the time.

During that week he had been babied by his mom and cousin, and teased by his father. Although he knew it was in good fun, Ryoma didn't find it very amusing.

"Care for a match Ryoma? Oh, wait you can't move. Looks like I win, Mada mada dane." His dad said over and over again.

Ryoma merely looked away every time muttering, "Shizuka Ni" (1)

The prince had received numerous guests, get well gifts and cards and even a few unwanted phone calls; one particularly from Tomoka. It had taken him nearly an hour to get her annoying voice out of her head. It was thanks to Sakuno that he was able to though.

Ryoma admitted for girl, she was decent enough. A whole lot better than the blabber mouth Tomoka. When Sakuno came to see him she brought him his homework, as well as a batch of freshly made cookies.

But there were only two people he wanted to see. Well actually one person and someone very special. Not one day had passed that Ryoma hadn't asked about his best friend.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a knock on his door. Although he was in no mood for visitors he realized that he had been flipping through the channels subconsciously so he answered, "Hai?"

"Echizen?"

"Hairu." (2)

The door opened and in walked Kikumaru, Fuji, and Momoshiro, "Echizen, we have brought two things that just might turn that frown upside down," Momoshiro said grinning like a complete idiot. The tree regulars were standing there dripping wet.

Momoshiro normally spiky black hair was not lopped down and glistening, Fuji's stayed pretty much the same and he pushed it away from his slit eyes. Kikumaru's was now an even darker shade of red and his outward bangs fell flat against the side of his face.

Ryoma averted his gaze to the window only to find it raining cats and dogs, "Ah, so practice was canceled I presume?"

The others nodded in response as they each took a seat, "So do you want to see your surprises or not?" Kikumaru asked as he began to get fidgety.

Ryoma sighed deeply, "Unless you've brought me news about Karupin and-or a can of grape ponta, I'm not interested."

Kikumaru busted out laughing ad Fuji stepped forward and smile that well-known smile of his, "Well Echizen it's time to get interested." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an ice-cold can of grape ponta.

Ryoma's eyes went wide as he accepted the can gratefully, "Arigato." He opened the soda, took a drink and immediately started coughing, "Heh, oops."

Kikumaru continued laughing, "Momo, show Ochibi-chan, his second surprise," he sat on the provided chair clutching his stomach trying to hold in his laughter.

Ryoma took another drink and threw his senpai a quizzical look, "My second surprise?" But his expression changed from quizzical to surprised in a matter of seconds when Momoshiro pulled out a small familiar Himalayan ball of fur from underneath his jacket.

"As you can see we didn't have any news about him, but we figured if there was he would want to tell you himself." Fuji joked. He looked over to see the young boy already enjoying the company of his best friend and laughed gently.

"So do you like our surprised Ochibi-chan?" Kikumaru asked after finally calming down, but still smiling that blinding smile.

Ryoma held back a laugh as Karupin rubbed up against his chin, "Sukoshi." (3) He answered.

A pout suddenly appeared on the acrobatic player's lips, "Aw, you're no fun Ochibi-chan." He said in a whining tone.

Fuji only smiled, OH, lest I forget, Inui has temporally filled your regular slot. But we told him not to get too comfortable."

Ryoma only nodded as he placed Karupin on his lap, "Arigato, Fuji-senpai." Karupin however started to paw at his master's cast.

"So Echizen when are you coming back?" Momoshiro asked leaning back against the wall.

Ryoma placed Karupin on the corner of his bed and shrugged, "I have no clue. They said I need to gain a few pounds and get more calcium and iron in my body."

Fuji looked over, "Wait, I thought Inui set you on that diet; you know where you drink at least 4 glasses of milk a day."

"They also said I need to stop drinking so much Ponta." Ryoma continued, "I don't know why. I don't have enough calcium, though, I drink all my milk and I highly doubt my Ponta is blocking the calcium from my milk."

"Ha telling Ochibi-chan he can't drink anymore ponta is like telling Inui he can't collect or use anymore data." Kikumaru put in, "He would go mad without it."

"Speaking of Ponta, I'm done." Ryoma said crunching up the can, "Did you bring me anymore?" he asked.

"You just opened that thing a few minutes ago!" Momoshiro pointed out.

Kikumaru chuckled, "You must have been thirsty, huh Ochibi-chan."

Once again Ryoma shrugged, "Sukoshi." Was his answer.

"Hey Momo, what time that meeting tomorrow?" Kikumaru asked breaking the developing silence that none of them was enjoying.

"I think Tezuka Buchou said Ryuzaki sensei- wants us to be in her office 15 minutes before morning practice." Mom answered scratching Karupin behind his ears.

Ryoma looked up, "Meeting? What meeting?" they knew he hated being left out of tennis related news and sessions.

Fuji walked over, "We don't know. We were just told to come to an important meeting tomorrow morning."

Kikumaru stood up and stretched, "Even Tezuka Buchou doesn't know." He said trying to hold back a yawn.

"Well looks like our time is up. We better get going now." Momoshiro stated, "We will stop by after practice tomorrow and fill you in.

Kikumaru walked over and gently pulled the younger boy into a hug, "We miss you on the courts Ochibi, and get well soon ok?"

Ryoma used his good arm and patted his senpai on the back in a return of the gesture, "Hai."

"Well, have a good night Echizen." Fuji put in as he reached for Karupin.

Almost as if he knew he was about to be separated from his master Karupin leaped into Ryoma's lap. He then gave the other three a look that clearly stated, "I'm cute I'm small and I have big eyes, please don't take me away."

Ryoma scratched behind Karurpin's ears again, "You have to go with them pal." He sighed when he saw the expression on his best friends' face, "Don't look at me like that."

Fuji walked over and picked up the pouting cat, "Don't worry Karupin, you'll see him again soon."

Karupin let out a faint meow and scurried down into Fuji's jacket.

"Oh before you three go, tell everyone I have one thing to say…"

The three stopped and turned, "What?"

"Mada mada dane…"

The three of them just rolled their eyes, "Goodnight Echizen…"

Shizuka Ni- Shut up

Hairu- Enter

Sukoshi- A little

A/N: Hope that chapter is satisfactory. Oh and before anyone says anything the deal with Karupin, they snuck him in. I know that pets aren't allowed in the hospital so they snuck him in lol. Well 3 reviews chapter 13!