Happy 29

All eyes on screen

11 days missing

Kevin arrived at the Echizen household first. Rinko didn't give him a chance to ring the doorbell when she flung the door wide and enveloped him in a huge hug.

"Oh Kevin" She sighed and ushered him inside with his bags "We have no news on Ryoma yet but we have numerous search parties with helicopters and the police and several tennis teams" Rinko rambled nervously as she played with her hem

Kevin stood with determination shining in his blue eyes "Which search party can I join?"

"Calm down kid" Nanjiro said from where he sat cross legged on the floor "They're out searching all of Japan at the moment, they'll meet back at 7 00 pm tonight at the Atobe Mansion. We'll be joining them for a status report. If they haven't found her by then they rest for the night and go out searching again tomorrow morning at 8 00 am" he sounded like he was reciting a script and looked just as unhappy about what he was saying as Kevin was at what he was hearing.

The blonde opened his mouth but whatever he was going to say was cut off by the doorbell ringing. Nanako jumped and spilled her tea. She watched it pool over the table and fall of the side like a waterfall with a detached quality.

"I'll get the door" Rinko said softly and it snapped Nanako out of her trance.

"Oh auntie, I'm sorry, I made a mess" She got to cleaning up the tea while Rinko opened the door.

The Fuji household

Fuji Yuuta was sulking. He knew that he was stuck at home with Yumiko and his parents for his own good but there was no worse feeling for the boy than to feel useless. And right now he was doing nothing. He remembered the last conversation he had with his aniki, Syusuke with a shiver.

"I want to help!" Yuuta yelled as Syusuke informed him that he was to stay at home under police protection

"You'd help buy not being captured" Syusuke pointed out

"Why would I be taken?" Yuuta said in frustration. Syusuke was over protective but he thought this was a bit much

"What do you and Ryo-chan have in common?" Syusuke asked

"Tennis"

"And…?" Syusuke prompted

Realisation dawned "You" Yuuta breathed "But why would anyone-"

"People do crazy things, like kidnap girls and I am not without enemies"

"Then why aren't you staying home? If you think you're the target?" Yuuta asked

" Don't be silly, Yuuta" Syusuke began with his customary smile "If I stay at home how could I tear my Ryo-chans' captors limb by limb and burn the remnants?" Syusuke opened his blue eyes and smiled a dangerous smile.

"Sometimes, I think I'm the only normal child in my family" Yuuta fell back on to his bed. His head knocked against something solid and he picked up the picture of the Saint Rudolf he had framed. It caused another crease in his brow. Misuki had been acting strange lately. He talked less and seemed haunted by something.

Yuuta let go of the thought. No point in holding on to problems you can do nothing about.

Echizen residence

It was the twins at the door. For once they were without grins decorating their faces. They were followed by Fabian and Luke a few hours later. By the time everyone was informed of all known details it was four o'clock. They had all sat down to eat after unpacking except Luke who sat in the corner in a meditative state as he thought, completely oblivious to the world around him.

The meal was quiet as they all picked at their food. It was slightly burned but no one said anything. No one really felt like eating anyway.

It was half six when they left for the Atobe Mansion. Luke's eyes shone with ideas and plans and Rinko was a bit relieved. If Luke thought a plan would work then it generally did.

All the occupants of the car thought the same thing. David, who was sitting on Ciaran's lap due the limited seats, shared an intimate smile with his brother. Maybe things would be okay.

The Atobe Mansion

The Echizens and the foreigners arrived after everyone else and joined Atobe on the huge that he had oh so conveniently had constructed years ago for a new year's party. It was equipped with huge screen that broadcasted anyone who was on stage. It was great for karaoke but was at the moment turned off. Atobe would turn it on later when he made announcements for the "troupes" as he liked to call them.

"Who are they?" The monkey king sneered as he looked over the unexpected guests. The blonde opened his mouth but Atobe cut him off "Never mind, Ore-sama doesn't care"

Kevin would have huffed if the situation hadn't been so dire.

"Any clues?" Nanjiro asked with a frown

"I see the cousin stayed at home today" They had been rotating every day "Well, we had a few false trails but we found a deserted warehouse that seemed rather suspicious so the police are on their way. The place should be surrounded in around 10 minutes" Atobe smirked

"Wait, the place is being surrounded just because it seems "suspicious" to you?" Luke asked in fluent Japanese with his brown eyes wider than usual "That's ridiculous"

"I'm a very powerful man" Atobe smirked

"A very rich man" Luke corrected "But if we find Ryoma by this then I'll be willing to overlook your blatant disregard for morals and laws"

"I've missed you" Fabian spoke in German but Luke understood him

"Actually I've got an idea!" Luke remembered and was about to continue when the screen behind them was suddenly filled with words.

Atobe looked up in surprise and read the text with everyone else.

Well hello to all who search for Ryoma Echizen

Especially to one Atobe Keigo who we hear has funded

The search. We were planning on keeping sweet Ryoma

Captive until after your tennis national competitions but

It appears that you can pay a lot more than our employer

We would be willing to hand her over for a sum of

$50 000 US dollars. You have a week. We want the money

Friday at 7 00 pm. Meet us at the warehouse you currently have

Surrounded by police. To show that we are serious and

That we do indeed have Ryoma in our possession

We show you this clip

On screen Ryoma was wrapped in a sheet a tied to a chair with heavy ropes. She had a bind over her golden eyes but there were tear streaks down her face. Various people in the crowd and on stage shouted her name but she could not hear them. A man walked into the frame. His face was covered by a ski mask. He had a tall, lean frame with lanky arms. He hunched down behind Ryomas' chair and she tensed.

"What do you want?" She asked bravely

The man was silent as he tipped her head back. Everyone was silent as they watched with morbid curiosity. He pulled a small knife from his pocket. More than one person screamed.