Disclaimer:Still own nothing
Author's Note: Setting a few more things into motion before I get started on tying up loose ends. Things are going to be messy in the next couple of chapters. Also, you can now follow me on Twitter for updates on all my stories: LadyMWrites
We'll rescue him, Seiichi.
-Just-
Gen knew the first obstacle they had to face on going forward with the rescue of Echizen Ryoma was that they needed more resources than what they had available to them. For starters, Ryoma's father knew he could handle both him and Yukimura on some level. It was fine if there were just two of them. However, the elder Echizen would not be able to stand against several people. The problem was introducing them into the tennis prodigy's life without it seeming odd or different.
If their last encounter with Nanjiroh was any indication, the boy's father would be keeping an extra close eye on his son. Gen didn't want to think about the state Ryoma could be in at this very moment. If he did, Sanada didn't think he could live with himself knowing that they had simply left.
The other challenged they faced stemmed from a purely legal perspective. They couldn't just go to the police with this information. It was clear that Ryoma had been suffering a long time so reports would be useless. They needed the right people to trust this information to. If only that was easier said than done.
Gen also had a feeling there were other potential obstacles they would face along the way. He just didn't know what they were yet. The first of these problems would be difficult, but fairly easy to solve. Obviously Seigaku could be counted on to try and rescue Ryoma—even if the tennis prodigy didn't want their help.
Obviously, him and Yukimura were on board to try and at least put a safe distance between Nanjiroh and Ryoma. The problem was legally keeping the father from his son for an extended period of time. The elder Echizen had more resources at his disposal. First of all, he could file a missing person's report. Second, he could get them into a bunch of legal trouble if they tried to keep Ryoma from going back home.
But if they could just maintain regular contact with Ryoma, maybe that would be enough until they figured out a better plan—a permanent plan. The first thing they had to do before that was talk to their team. While this came during their summer training, slacking off was not allowed.
And Gen had a feeling tennis was about to become a low priority for him and Yukimura. He just hoped they were ready for it.
-Just-
Atobe rarely approached his father about using family resources. Which is why he nervously straightened his already perfect tie for the tenth time since leaving his room. He had the legal papers in a briefcase he carried and a plan mapped out in his head as to how he wanted this meeting to go. However, he would be asking for a lot from his father. He could almost hear his father's voice telling him this would not be an appropriate use of family resources.
Keigo just hoped he would be convincing enough.
He knocked on the large doors in front of him and waited. While Atobe had some disposable income due to the businesses he outside of his normal activities, it wouldn't be enough. He couldn't afford to hire the best on his own. And knowing what he was up against, he needed the best people in the world. Just so Echizen Ryoma could live.
The doors opened.
"Ah, Keigo, how nice of you to stop by."
You won't say that once you learn why I'm here.
-Just-
For all the time he had to think of a way to explain Echizen's life to his teammates, Yukimura felt completely unprepared. Everything he thought about saying was either too vague or too detailed. It wasn't his place to tell them everything that was going on.
He could just imagine Ryoma's horrified reaction if he found out that Yukimura had divulged everything about what was going on. Yet, he felt that his teammates wouldn't accept any other explanation. Somewhere in between the journey from the Echizen household to school, he had settled on offering as few details as possible and explaining where his teammates asked.
Of course he would do everything he could to keep as much of Ryoma's privacy. But Echizen's life was at stake, did it matter much?
Yes. He'll need a safe place to go after this is over.
A traitorous voice added, if it's ever over. He didn't want to think about the possibility that they might not be successful. Yukimura already felt guilty enough for leaving the young teen at that house this morning. And after being promised Ryoma would come to practice too.
When they reached school, he realized how unprepared for this he actually was. This was a life-changing moment for him, for them. It was akin to his devastating medical condition over a year ago. But even that was easier to get through because there was a plan and steps to follow if one thing didn't pan out. They didn't have that here.
He tossed a glance at Sanada, who kept his feelings buried beneath the surface. But he could still feel the anxiety both of them had over the topic. He was certain that he wasn't alone in his thoughts. If their team wouldn't support them, they would still have to do everything they could to ensure that Echizen Ryoma would survive another day.
Everyone had gathered for practice, as expected. They all looked at him, questions burning underneath their expressions.
Let me get through this.
"Good morning, everyone."
-Just-
Fuji had tried to reach Ryoma on the phone, but knew something was wrong after two attempts to call the boy's cell. After being ignored through text, Syuusuke decided to do a verbal check-in with the boy. The first time, the phone rang until it went to voicemail. The second time, the phone had gone straight to the answering machine.
It wasn't like Ryoma to ignore his phone like that. Panic settled in and soon he found himself outside the Echizen temple. He glanced at the time on his phone, knowing that their practice was starting later today, but time was not on his side. He had to go check on Ryoma.
He had tried the front door first, hoping someone would answer. There wasn't one. Instead, he decided to look around the property to try and verify that Ryoma was there and was alive.
Fuji decided there wasn't much to do aside from peer in the windows and hope that one of them would contain the person he was looking for. All of the windows in the front of the house were covered by curtains.
The back was a different story. He was able to peek inside what was the kitchen-area. Fuji was thankful this one was at eye level so he could see inside without much effort. However, his gratitude turned to grief at the scene before him.
Ryoma was over by the sink of kitchen, slumped to the ground. A broken dish on the floor. Bruises. Blood. Fuji tried to determine if the other was still breathing. With a shaky hand, he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
He dialed the only other person he could think of to help in this situation.
Tezuka took two rings to answer his call. "Hello, Syuusuke."
"Kunimitsu," he breathed. Relief was evident in his voice, he knew. "You have to come to Echizen's. Now."
"I'll be there in five minutes."
-Just-
Tezuka arrived on scene and had immediately called emergency services. They had to force entry to the home and were able to reach Echizen in time. Just barely. The nearest hospital wasn't equipped to handle the situation so they took him to one downtown.
They had called off practice and sat in the lobby, anxiously waiting for news about the tennis prodigy. Of course, no one spoke to them about his condition. Minutes stretched into hours.
"Kunimitsu," Syuusuke whispered, jerking him out of his thoughts.
"What?"
The ever-observant genius of the team drew in a breath before speaking. "Don't you think it's weird?"
He stared at the other. "What do you mean?"
"No one's questioned us. No one's mentioned Ryoma's name since we got here. His parents haven't shown up, have they?"
He frowned. Now that it was pointed out to him, everything was off about the situation. But then again, nothing about this case was normal. Tezuka didn't know how to reply to Syuusuke's observation.
"What do we do?" the other asked.
"I don't know," he replied honestly. "I don't know what to do anymore."
To be continued…