Author's Note

Hello all! Recently, I've gotten really busy with work and other commitments... It's been hectic! But I'm glad I managed to finish another chapter, just in the nick of time for my next update. Guess I just need a reminder to continue working on writing regularly... And your reviews definitely help with that! They give me inspiration to write, as well as a kick in the derriere. Thank you to everyone who reviews! This story would not be possible without you.

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis and its characters do not belong to me. But we all know that.


Chapter 28

The darkened sky was a refreshing change of weather to the young Guardian, having found out that the past week had been filled with the exact same sunshine. He awoke to cool winds rustling the leaves of trees outside the castle windows, a precursor of the cooler season ahead. As an act of paranoia, he had left the window opened last night. The glass was still angled slightly to allow a finger of cold air inside, the breeze caressing soft cheeks and tousling emerald hair as the boy sat up in bed. Yawning, he glanced about him. Yukimura lay in his own bed, still softly snoring. Ryoma frowned at the slumbering youth. It was odd to think that he had spent the past six nights sharing a bed with the blue beauty. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed falling asleep in someone's embrace, feeling safe and warm. How many times had he woken up, believing that it was a blue-eyed Tensai who held him so gently? Yet at the first trace of lavender, he would realize his mistake and a strange knot of guilt and longing would strike his chest. Tearing his eyes from the sleeping keeper, he quickly crossed the room and moved to close the window.

His movements halted when he heard familiar voices rising from below. Peering out through the glass, he instantly recognized the cream and brown fur of Karupin. He was about to call out to his beloved companion when he noticed that she was not in the garden alone. Four other creatures were gathered beside her. He could see morning sunlight glinting off of the opalescent scales of Suzu and Mada's sleek, dark coat. Sanis was folding her long legs beneath her to join her brethren on the grass, Raishu riding sleepily upon her back. Ryoma found it odd that the spirits were awake and convened so early in the morning, and wondered why they had not woken him. He settled down on the windowsill, head resting on his arms, to eavesdrop.

"We need to tell him, Sister Life." It was Suzu who spoke first, her words low and tinged with urgency. Ryoma felt his eyebrows rise, his interest peaked. "The changes have already begun. You cannot tell me you have not felt the balance shifting."

"Even I, the youngest of us, have felt it." Mada whined, bowing his head almost apologetically towards his elder sister. "There is no denying that you, whose existence began long before any of ours, know what this means."

Karupin seemed to mull over their words for a moment. "I understand your words, Sister Water, Brother Chaos, but…" the feline seemed to sigh, her ears tilting downwards. "The young master just has so much on his mind these days. Perhaps it is selfish of me, but I do not wish to add another burden to his shoulders so soon."

The gentle doe leaned over, stretching her neck to tenderly rub her muzzle along the cat's neck. "I agree with our eldest sister," she said, her words filled with tender gentility. "Regardless of his birthright, he is still but a child."

"But not for much longer." Raishu poked his head up from atop Sanis' back. He rolled over lazily, enjoying the warm morning sun on his belly. "He very quickly approaches adulthood. And then, what we fear will become unstoppable."

From where he watched, Ryoma felt the corners of his lips pull downwards. 'Who are they talking about? Is something going to happen?'

A pair of arms slipped around his waist, and the prince started, falling back against a warm chest. "Good morning, boya," Yukimura breathed beside his ear. Ryoma shivered at the brush of air, a jolt of traitorous arousal running through his body. "What are you up to so early?"

Yukimura's soft voice carried through the hushed morning, alerting the spirits that their master had awakened. Raishu gave a gleeful chirp. "Good morning, little Guardian!"

Ryoma struggled fruitlessly against Yukimura's grip. "Don't call me little, little spirit!" he retorted. The Child of God chuckled behind him, his cheek pressed against Ryoma's neck.

"Maa maa, boya. We should prepare our things if we are to set out today," he placated, his lips moving against the prince's soft skin. Ryoma shivered, and then shot an accusatory glare at the blue-haired man. Yukimura merely chuckled once again before releasing the prince from his embrace and sauntering off towards the bathroom to wash up. The Guardian turned back towards the window and glanced down, but the little gathering of spirits had already been dismissed, each creature heading off in its own direction. Only Karupin remained, her bright blue eyes tilted upwards to meet the gaze of her companion.

"What were you all talking about, Karu?" Ryoma asked. The cat tilted her head before giving it a shake. She stood, turning to head back into Atobe's castle.

"In due time, Ryoma." The little furry figure scampered off.


After a quick breakfast, the adventurers quickly left the dining hall to gather their things from their rooms. Ryoma flopped down onto his bed and watched as Yukimura shuffled about, gathering his own pack of clothes, supplies, and his scales, before leaving the room with a kind smile to the princeling. Once he had left, the emerald-crowned boy heaved a sigh, enjoying the privacy. His arms folded above his eyes, and he allowed himself to finally admit how weary he was.

It was true that he had been born into his roles as crown prince of Seishun and the Guardian, but it seemed that the universe sometimes overlooked his age, or rather, lack thereof. After all, he was but a seventeen year old boy, not even grown into adulthood yet. There were times when Ryoma indeed resented the fact that he'd had to shoulder a weight infinitely heavier than most his age. Whenever he was brooding, something would happen to remind him of all that he did have; Karupin would jump up to join him on the bed, or Fuji might sit down beside him and begin cooing nonsensical words to him. However, the young prince was now without the comfort of his lover, forced to put on a brave mask and continue walking forward. Additionally, it seemed that Karupin was now keeping secrets from him. Ryoma had never felt more alone, nor more like the youth he, in reality, was.

"Fuji…" The name slipped from his lips before he realized the direction of his thoughts. His eyes went wide underneath the cover of his arms, as bitter tears threatened to fall. It wasn't fair. The vision master had left Ryoma behind, had betrayed him and chosen his brother. So why did he still linger in his heart? Why couldn't Ryoma forget him?

"I just…" He wished that he could push it all aside. That he could leave his worries for someone else to deal with, someone who was less of a child and knew more about what they were doing. He wanted to be carefree and live a normal life, just like all the other seventeen year olds in the world. But most of all… "I just want to be with him."

'Is that really what you wish for?'

Hearing the strange voice, Ryoma immediately tried to lift his arm from his face, to sit up and face the intruder, but he found that he could not. Something unseen was wrapped around him, holding him where he lay. 'Is that truly what you desire?'

Ryoma grit his teeth together. The low voice spoke slowly, as though taunting him. "Who are you? Let me g- "

'I can take you there.'

Something soft brushed against his face just then, and suddenly Ryoma was falling. The bed below him had disappeared, and with his arm still over his eyes, the prince could see nothing of what was happening. He tensed, bracing himself for inevitable impact.


A foot tapped impatiently on the marble floor. The refreshed group of travelers lounged in one of Atobe's luxurious sitting rooms. Yukimura, Tezuka, and Shiraishi sat on one sofa while Atobe lounged on a divan. Sanada was leaned against the wall, not saying a word as he watched the group before him. Ever the restless child, Kintarou was the one who sat in an armchair, his arms crossed in front of his chest. The six had gathered nearly an hour ago, the king himself being their last addition after completing his morning primping. They hadn't expected to be kept waiting much longer, but their final, and youngest, companion had yet to join them.

Kintarou halted his foot's beating against the ground and stood up. "What's taking Koshimae so long?!" he exclaimed loudly, his voice echoing through the otherwise silent castle. No one bothered to acknowledge what must have been the redhead's fifth frustrated question since they began waiting.

Tezuka turned to Yukimura. "You were upstairs with him, weren't you, Yukimura?" His tone remained impassive, but his eyes were inquisitive, as well as slightly suspicious.

Sanada seemed to bristle at the Seigaku captain, but Yukimura halted his retort with a sharp glance. His expression gentled when he turned to answer Tezuka. "Yes, we went upstairs to our room together," he confirmed. "However, while I was packing, the boya merely lay down on his bed and watched as I went on with my business. I got the feeling that he was waiting for me to take my leave first."

Atobe raised a brow. "That brat, needing privacy?" He gave a smug smirk and chuckled. "I guess even little brats can grow up some time, ahn?"

Tezuka and Sanada visibly flushed, turning their faces away from the group, while Yukimura smiled. Kintarou turned to Shiraishi with a confused expression. "Privacy? What does he mean, Shi-chan?"

The lord only shook his head with a rueful smile, causing the redhead to pout and race over from his seat to Shiraishi's. "Nah, tell me, tell me!" he chanted.

"Still…" Yukimura said, once the commotion had died down. "I can't imagine anyone requiring this much time alone, especially with more pressing matters at hand."

The others nodded, agreeing with the Child of God. "Well, knowing Seishun's prince…" Sanada interrupted. "Perhaps he simply fell asleep?"

There was a brief moment of silence before Atobe leapt from his seat. "That brat!" he yelled, outraged. "He definitely thought now was a good time for a nap! The great Ore-sama shall go retrieve the brat now."

"Ah, wait." Tezuka stood from his seat, uncurling his legs from beneath him. "You've never dealt with waking up the prince, have you, Atobe? Perhaps I should go instead."

"Nonsense!" Sanada, sensing the competition to wake Ryoma, fired up. He pushed off from the wall, already turning to head out of the sitting room. "You'll be too easy on him, Tezuka. Tarundarou!"

As the three men continued their barely dignified squabble, Yukimura merely smiled softly before turning to Shiraishi. "Would you fetch the boya, Shiraishi? These three will continue to argue forever." Despite wanting to go observe the sleeping prince himself, the keeper of the scales knew that it was about time they departed once again. "I'll stay and keep an eye on them."

Shiraishi nodded, giving a slight sigh at the childish argument of the not-so-childish men. "It's almost like they haven't grown up at all…" he muttered with an exasperated smirk to Yukimura, before standing and walking past the three, who were so engrossed in their debate that they did not notice him walk out the door.

The air suddenly chilled, the lights of the castle flickering as though a breeze had danced through the entire building. "Wha-"

A blur shot into the room, leaping onto the couch. Karupin lay her paw on Yukimura's leg, meowing and hissing incessantly. "Ka… Karupin? What's wrong?"

The cat hissed again, frustrated by her inability to communicate with the demigod while the Guardian was not present. A flurry of activity announced the arrival of the other spirits, a yowling, hissing, chirping mess. "It seems that something is amidst us…" Tezuka surmised, argument long forgotten.

"Na, Karu-chan hasn't ever been this angry, has she?" Kintarou said, squatting in front of the sofa to face the cat. He reached a hand out, moving to pet the feline. "Calm down, kitty-chan! Everything's fine!"

Karupin hissed and swiped at the redhead's hand. The child yelped and withdrew his fingers, checking to make sure no blood had been drawn. Mada whined, butting his head against Atobe's leg. "What do you want with Ore-sama, dog?" Atobe commanded. "Speak!"

The dog growled, giving Atobe a look of disbelief, before running off towards the stairs. The little black dog halted there, one foot on the first step, before he turned back to face the group again, barking as he did. "Upstairs…? Is something the matter?" Yukimura stood, moving to follow after the dog. Mada barked again before scampering back up the stairs. The travelers exchanged a glance as Karupin, Raishu, and Suzu leapt to follow, before nodding and heading in the same direction.

As they neared the upper floor, they could hear knocking. "Prince? It's Shiraishi, please wake up and open the door!"

"Shi-chan?" Kintarou called as they arrived at the bedroom Yukimura and Ryoma had shared. The door was shut, and apparently locked. "What's going on, where's Koshimae?"

Shiraishi lowered the hand he had been knocking with and turned to face the group, a look of surprise shot to the spirits before he answered. "I don't know if he's still in there, but the door will not open and no one is answering it."

"Perhaps the brat is a deep sleeper?" Atobe suggested.

Tezuka shook his head. "Even he would awaken to knocking on his door."

Karupin hissed again, scratching at the door. The other animals clamoured around her, as though reinforcing the urgency of reaching their master. "We need a way in there," Yukimura said, a grim look on his face. His eyes took on a dangerous glint as he began to realize the possibility of Ryoma being in trouble.

"Move back." The stern command was given by Sanada, who had taken a few steps back himself. He squared himself with the door before lunging at it. The others jumped back just in time for Sanada's shoulder to meet with the wood, and with a splintering crack, it fell open. "Little prince!"

But silence was what met them. "What? Where is he?" Sanada cried as he stepped further into the room. Everyone hurried in after him. The bed was unmade, as though someone had just been lying within it, and all of the prince's things were still scattered about the room. The spirits moved closer to the bed, Mada lowering his head to sniff for his master's scent as though he could locate him better that way.

"He was… just here…" Yukimura stammered, his face paling.

Atobe and Tezuka stormed towards the windows, examining it. "The glass is still intact, and it doesn't look like it's been opened forcibly or from the outside," Tezuka announced.

"Ore-sama doesn't see any trace of anyone outside either. The brat couldn't have left the room," the king added.

"Wah, where did Koshimae disappear to?" Kintarou wailed, clinging onto Shiraishi's arm.

Karupin meowed. She had leapt up onto the bed, her nose to the sheets and ears pricked, but it had been her eyes that had located a clue. Everyone in the room turned to face her, and she raised a paw to hesitantly bat at the air. "What… What is she doing?" Shiraishi asked. No one answered, but they all moved closer to watch the feline as she continued to search blindly through the air above the bed.

It seemed fruitless until her paw seemed to finally meet an unseen substance. A ripple went through the air above the bed as Karupin struck it, something so minute that the human travelers would have overlooked it, if not for the spirit's quick eyes. "Ah, something's there!" Kintarou yelled, pointing at the air.

"Could… could it be?" Shiraishi murmured, moving towards the cat. He raised his hands and ghosted them through the location that Karupin had been examining. There was a small shift in power there, as though traces of magic lingered. Someone had performed a spell here, some tricky use of the elements. "I'm… afraid that Ryoma has been taken away."

"Taken?" Atobe yelled. Tezuka's fists clenched at his sides, a deadly glare appearing in his eyes. "Where was he taken to? Who would have taken him?"

The room fell quiet. Though nobody voiced the answer out loud, their thoughts all turned to one man, the one who wished most to bring harm to the young prince. "We need to find them," Yukimura said slowly. His voice was soft, but had lost its pleasant air. The others nodded in agreement, mentally priming themselves for battle. The next time they laid eyes on Ryoga, they would have to be prepared to kill him.


Ryoma groaned as he finally awoke. He wasn't sure when he had passed out or when he had finally finished falling. Gingerly, he flexed his fingers and toes, checking himself over for any signs of pain. Surprisingly, there were none. He bent his knees and elbows, and found nothing to be broken or even injured in the slightest. He opened his eyes in shock, and warily became aware of his surroundings. It was dark, wherever he had landed. He sat up in bed, swiveling his head this way and that. It seemed he was on a bed in a strange room… The building itself seemed run down, but was likely magnificent back in its own time. He could hear low voices echoing from throughout the building, but most of them seemed unfamiliar. Frowning, he stood from the bed, holding onto the bedpost to support his wobbly legs, still uncomfortable from the falling sensation. Creeping to the wooden door, he pressed his ear against it, hoping to hear more about what was going on outside of the room.

Footsteps quickly approached. Alarmed, Ryoma jumped back just in time for the door to swing open. He put his arms up, ready to cast a quick spell if he needed to, but froze as he was met by surprised cerulean orbs.

"Ry… Ryoma?"