Greetings everyone! Well, exams are full on, the year will soon be over and I'm running off to Albany on a train in a few weeks time. But fear not! I shall keep working hard so my story keeps flowing and I hope readers are still enjoying!

I shall now exercise the basic human right to politely thank all my readers who take time out to review...good manners breed good manners people!

Eien No Kaze: That "thing" is going to die...

Alaena Flame Dragonstar: While Raidon may learn a thing or too, the master healer keeps his biggest secret...

Kagome Girl21: Thanks Sis!

Ruji: More Jyousei for ya!

Jessmin lau: Thanks for all the e-mail's!

Amylia 81: Hope you are well and its always great to hear from you!

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis I can't claim, certain mythics I can name. So read the fic; enjoy it well, and hopefully may pleasure swell!

Blood And shadows: A Mosaic Of Darkness

Chapter 8

Pattern 7: " Smoke and mirrors."

Story: Tora Macaw.

-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-

Passing through the gates, Eiji and Oishi strode proudly onto the battlefield. Heads held high they let their steady gazes rove over the expectant crowd as the morning breezes gently teased against tingling flesh while behind them, two first year girls chanted a low sounding; "Go! Go! Seigaku!"

Grinning at his watching team mates, Eiji turned his large azure eyes in the direction of the enemy camp; only to startle, his back snapping ramrod straight; an involuntary frightened gasp tearing from his lips as he suddenly found himself staring into a pair of cruel grey orbs from his deepest nightmares.

Hard and cold as chips of flint, they bored into the young Cat Lord with the same intensity as they done that fatal night in the forests heart. Yet as the crimson-haired teenager sidled around to seek shelter behind his lover, he couldn't help but notice a distinct change marring the glaring dark irises.

To the acrobatic youth, they seemed like the eyes of a wild animal that had been kept too long; a sad and broken creature brutally ripped from its freedom then forced to perform tricks to the crack of a whip, only to be cruelly discarded; forgotten, the moment it had out lived its usefulness. But still, its wild spirit refused to completely die; flaring as fires of freedom behind windows of misery that sought to remind all those looking upon of what it had once been and still demand the pridefull respect of a dangerous beast.

Stepping away from Oishi, Eiji drew himself up to return the stare with a quiet courage coupled to a strange serge of pity as the fingers of his right hand sub consciously lifted to ghost across the permanent bandage gracing his cheek. Shaking himself, he ruthlessly threw off the inexplicable spell washing over him to gape at the pair now entering the arena.

As different as night and day, the Jyousei Shounan students at once stood out as an oddity; for one was as tall and dark as the other was short and pale, as much a contrast of shifting seasons as they were vastly opposite humans. Overwhelmed by the shear bazaar concept of them successfully playing a match together, Eiji gulped as he repeatedly poked his partner's shoulder.

" Oishi!" he gasped as the raven-haired youth turned to rest forest green orbs on his lover's anxious face. " Look at those two! What a great difference in height!"

Glancing idly in the pairs direction, Oishi calmly studied his racket for flaws as he quietly answered. " The big one is a true dragon while his friend is a subtype."

" Dragons?" Eiji's eyes gleamed with a hint of worry. " I don't like this nya!"

Smiling gently, the disguised Moon Dog reached out to take his lover's left hand. " Do your best." he said while giving the limb a tender squeeze to silently convey his message of love. " And remember, whatever happens..." he paused to gaze over at a still glaring Shinzyo beyond the wire, "...I'll always protect you."

His tension melting, Eiji replied with a grin. " Then lets play."

Separating hands the Golden pair strode toward the net, only to stop and stare in amazement as the tall, dark skinned Jyousei youth approached from the barrier's opposite side. For a full minute he stood motionless as his dark eyes drank in the sight of his adversaries, then dropping his powerful mind shields he allowed his rivals to see his true self.

His eyes going huge and round as the dragon's shadow form shimmered into a misty existence to hang over the tall youth's human body, Eiji gaped openly as he stared in wonder at the bright sun shine high lighting the gleam of bronze shining against wings, horns and scales of earthy brown.

" Oh my gosh!" he breathed as he craned his neck back. " Look at his colour!" Both arms held stiffly out from his sides, Eiji cut a comical figure as he remarked in awe that this creature was clearly part metallic noble. " And his human body!" he gushed as Oishi laid a comforting hand on his back. " He is so tall!"

For a brief moment, the piecing dark orbs flared with an orange light as Eiji continued to gawk. Sensing the dragon's annoyance, Oishi stepped before his lover as his own shadow form bared its teeth in warning. Drawing himself right up, the large mythic snorted before contemptuously turning away.

From behind the dubious safety of the high court fence line, Tomo nudged Sakuno then pointed a shaking finger at the huge beast casually showing himself to all those able to see. " Look at that! A bronze glow! Sakuno, I think Strong Claw is his father!"

Gazing impassively at the mighty creature, Fuji ignored the excited whispers of the girls as it flashed through his mind what Tezuka had once roared in his frustration; " How many mates, how many of your own young have been lost?" Those had been the very words the gold had snarled at a defiant Kabaji and staring at the beast now rearing up on its hind legs, the 'Blood' had no doubts as to this dragon's lineage.

Opening his data file, the Seigaku juice fiend broke into the 'Blood's' thoughts as he toyed with his glasses and indulged in his favourite past time; the divulging of incredible Data to a fascinated audience. " Human name, Daichi Kiriyama. Second year at Jyousei. 195cm tall. Born from the last clutch sired by the bronze 'Ldnuhk lmyf' 400 years ago out of the brown female 'Lbyngmal uh fydan"

The freshmen trio were instantly thunderstruck as incredulous chatter broke out among them.

" What?"

" 400 years old?"

" One of Kabaji's young? Incredible!"

" 195cm..." muttered Fuji as his habitual smile slid back into place. "...interesting."

" Even Kabaji's human body isn't that tall!" remarked Takashi as the 'Blood' quietly watched a data writing Inui. Beside them, Ryoma snorted as he glared at the huge youth from under his hat brim.

" I hope my dragon blood doesn't make me grow tall." he muttered sourly at length. Hearing the mumbled comment, the corners of Momo's mouth twitched up in a smile as he threw a loving arm about his life mate's shoulders.

" Why Echizen.." he purred playfully while ignoring his lover's dark look. "...you'll be at least 197cm by the time you're 17!"

Irritably shrugging off the encircling arm, Ryoma gave his life mate the full blast of a pair of surly green-gold eyes. " Thanks." he grumbled in a tone dripping with heavy sarcasm. " That's very reassuring..."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Standing side by side mid line, the Golden Pair looked on with interest as the linesman stared at Daichi; scratched his head, then asked in confusion as to the whereabouts of the second player. Stepping slightly to one side, the towering youth revealed the smugly grinning form of his little friend standing behind him as he cheerfully quipped; " I'm right here!"

Invoking her second sight, Tomo gasped in surprise as the ghostly form of the short youth's true self manifested to crouch tensely as it overlapped the teenager's lower body. Just like her own kind, the collie sized, four leggard dragon's body was covered with a tough leathery hide the pale blue colour of a winter sky. Rustling its small wings, the hidden creature gazed up at the Golden Pair out of burning red, multi facet eyes and in a sudden flash of understanding the young Wyvern staring intently at the human player realized that just like Inui, he too couldn't transform his unearthly orbs; hence the need for the permanent green eye shields adorning his youthful face.

" What a tiny dragon!" she remarked to her friends as they too studied the tail lashing, foot shifting Pseudo Dragon.

Sourly eyeing the invisible (except to those able to see) mythic from the rear of the group, Kaido hissed out a low; " He's even a smaller human than Echizen."

As the raven-haired Demi-Dragon swung about to ask his team mate just exactly what did his comment mean, out on the court, Daichi curled his lip as he sneered down at his slight adversaries. " Huh! A puppy and a kitten are no match for us!" A low snarl rumbling up from the depths of his throat as smoke curled out from between his teeth, he then deliberately turned his back to forcefully stride away.

Shaking his head over the dragon's arrogance, Oishi slowly remarked at what a strange combination the two mythics were before Eiji's voice loudly wondering if the pair could play doubles like that cut through his contemplation's.

Having briefly returned to their coach to remove their jackets, the true dragon acknowledged his cheer squad's acclaim by blatantly flexing his human muscles. Jaw dropping as he watched the creature's shadow form mimic his teenage disguise, Takashi then blinked a few times as he quietly declared his fellow dragon to be a moron.

With the posing over, Daichi took his place in the backhand service square as Ota tossed the ball high. Eiji was quick to return fire, then the young Cat Lord found himself staring as his towering opponent swiftly tore along the net to neatly intercept the fast moving ball. His racket connecting with a resounding crack, the dark skinned giant sent the missile roaring straight past a startled Oishi. Pushing off with his powerful legs, Eiji almost flew parallel to the ground as he dived to meet the runaway object.

" Hoi! Hoi! I have it!"

But his jubilation was short lived as the returning ball ran into the solid barrier that was Daichi and instantly shot back to score Jyousei's first point for the new doubles match.

Fingers hooked over the wire before him, Arai stared at the huge player in a state of stunned disbelief. " He's like a brick wall!" he gasped as Fuji spoke to Inui about him being tall, but very quick on his feet.

His pen hardly pausing in it's rapid scratching, the ancient Basilisk pushed at his glasses as he calmly answered the quiet 'Blood'.

" Yes, because he only makes precise reactions. Take careful note of his true form Fuji. See how his dragon body mimics his human movement?"

Nodding, the Tensai's thoughts drifted onto images of Tezuka and in his mind's eye he could clearly see the dragon king's shadow form rustling its mighty wings or snapping his great jaws, but never following the captain's human movement as the regal youth played out his games.

Snorting a thin jet of black smoke from his nostrils, Daichi glared down his nose at the quietly watching Golden Pair. " Pussy! Puppy! Are you two scared then?"

Choosing to ignore the huge dragon looming menacingly over them, Oishi turned to Eiji as if simply discussing a difficult math problem in class. " Eiji, you can't be careless."

A sharp nod was the red head's only reply, then Ota was serving again. A few long minutes of intense rallying later, Daichi had scored again; bringing the game to a 30-0 score in Jyousei's favour.

" You see?" crowed the huge youth triumphantly as both his human and dragon form flexed their arm muscles. " My Cannon Intercept!"

Glaring sternly at the dragon as the shadowy echo of its true self loosely crossed heavy forelegs over its chest, Oishi turned to Eiji from his place near the net to advise the Cat Lord to attempt a high drop shot.

Following Ota's fast serve, Eiji leapt in to lob the ball high. But face splitting into a wide grin as one crimson eye briefly shone through his dark glasses, the human form Pseudo dragon stunned the Golden Pair by charging straight up his towering friend's back! Using the tall youth's broad right shoulder as a spring board, the tiny teenager called out something intangible in the mumbling language of his own species as he leapt high in the air to hang suspended. Surrounded by the scarlet glow of his draconian powers, he met the flying ball with a devastating smash that impacted with the force of a descending meteor right between the shocked lovers and roared away for another point.

Staring wide eyed at the small, smoking crater left to mark the ball's passing, the Golden Pair hardly noticed Ota's graceful mid air somersault as he returned to the ground or the linesman's firm call of; "40-love!"

Un-shouldering his racket, Daichi thrust it forward to point imperiously at his startled enemies before commencing with a new round of battle.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ball thundering down to miss the satisfying kiss of Oishi's racket by a mere whisper, the game paused at 1-0 in Jyousei's favour for the required court change. Ignoring the exulting rival cheer squad, the Golden Pair quietly discussed their strategy but were rudely interrupted by their huge opponent swaggering up to the net to tower over them. " You fools don't stand a chance!" he snarled as a little fire kindled to life between his teeth. " A dragon is far superior to your insignificant kinds in terms of size and strength and no mewling kitten or waddling puppy is going to beat me!"

" We play now as humans." Oishi started to remind him, but the human form Moon Dog was cut off as Ota called out then swung about to playfully wiggle his human rear end. The mobile rump of his shadow form jiggling wildly, his long tail waved like an agitated snake in their direction as a human hand loudly smacked against crisp white shorts.

Laughing behind her hand as Ryuzaki glared savagely at the impudent gesture, Hanamara happily declared her Pseudo dragon to be a brat before cheerfully boasting how Daichi had the blood of the Lord Bronze himself running within his veins.

" I DO have eyes to see." growled the old red as Eiji prepared to serve. " But even his sire has been known to lose a game or two!"

A contemptuous snort her only reply, the in disguise demon princess watched with a pleasure she had no intention of hiding as the score reached 2-0.

Swinging his racket in a powerful forehand, Oishi frowned as he felt a sharp pain lance up his arm then spread its fire throughout his back and shoulder. Trying his best to block it out, he sent the ball flying straight and true; only to have its trajectory flatten out so it slammed forcefully into the top of an unyielding net, bringing the match to a dangerous 3-0.

" I'm sorry Eiji!" he called as he closed his eyes and waved sheepishly at his lover.

Waving back, Eiji brightly told him not to worry; but the first signs of fear had kindled in the night canine's eyes as he vividly recalled his recent battle and how the Dark Hunter Banan had brutally slashed his foreleg wide open. Removing the damp towel he had laid across it prior to sitting down, Oishi's brow furrowed at the malevolent sight of the four parallel gashes pulsing against the human skin of his right wrist.

Noticing his lover's anxious eyes, Eiji's gaze travelled down to rest on the ugly, blood encrusted wounds before fearfully asking if it hurt much. " It burns." thought Oishi as he fought to conceal the bitter truth of his condition. " The pain.. it's agony, but he mustn't see..." Flashing a quick smile his boyfriend's way, Oishi closed his eyes as he cheerfully cocked his head to one side. " I'm OK!" he said brightly as Eiji's beautiful orbs grew doleful. " Don't worry, I can handle it!"

All but leaping to his feet, Oishi snatched up his racket then strode out to fight. Walking a little way behind him, Eiji felt a sudden disturbance in the air; a strange gathering of energy he had never felt before and as the mythics in the crowd reacted to the profound serge buzzing across the grounds, the young Cat Lord realized with a start the power was coming not from some unknown threat; but from his beloved Oishi himself.

Unnerved by the weird energy field generating from his opponent, Ota leaned forward as the Seigaku vice captain served and taking advantage of the small player's frontal position, Oishi hit a high serve clean over the Pseudo dragon's human head to score.

Turning to Ryoma, Katsuo asked about the strange energy and as usual, Iniu broke into the conversation with his well informed data file in hand. " He has cast a pain dampening field over his entire body" he announced in a tone filled with respect. " Not many of his kind can do it as it takes incredible concentration and uses up huge amounts of energy."

Out on the war zone, Daichi snarled menacingly at the latest slow ball lobbed his way from a low serving Oishi and roaring his frustration, he slammed the ball forcefully into the fence behind a startled Eiji. Angrily hurling his racket to the ground as the linesman called a 40-15 score, the shadow form of the brown-bronze dragon threw his head back to howl his fury as he rapidly fanned his huge wings in his rage.

" Daichi had better not lose control." muttered Kajimoto as he re-enforced his silent warning to the outraged beast. " I don't want to have to change the minds of these humans should a huge flesh and blood dragon suddenly appear."

Backing up as Oishi served again, Ota waited baseline for the harsh assault. But to his stunned surprise, the ball floated over the woven barrier to lazily tumble down a scant half a meter past it for Seigaku's match point.

Shoving the head of his racket in Ota's face, Daichi snarled savagely. " Idiot! What are you doing skink? Afraid of losing your tail if you run in to hit that puppy's serve? Fight damn you!"

Snorting at his enemy's as they traded harsh words, Oishi turned his attention to his arm. The wounds were seeping blood as they throbbed painfully and drawing a deep breath, the Moon Dog fought hard to maintain his intense concentration.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

" Seigaku match point!" called the linesman as Oishi threw back his head, his chest heaving as he panted for breath. " Game 5-2!"

" NYA! Another round to us!" cried Eiji, his fists curling towards his chest while he excitedly bounced on the balls of his feet. " We can win this Oishi!" Turning to face his silent lover, the Cat Lord's eyes widened with horror at the sight that met them; for the raven-haired youth had let his racket slip from limp fingers before collapsing onto his knees, his entire body shaking from the waves of extreme agony washing throughout it. " OISHI!" Eiji screamed as he threw himself down beside his stricken lover. " OH NO! OISHI!"

His head turning towards his boyfriend, Oishi worked up a small smile as he slowly pushed to his feet. " I'm alright... I can play."

" But..." began Eiji as his lower lip trembled. " ...your arm..."

" Come on." replied his lover as he smiled warmly. " Let's continue this game."

Resuming the fight, it swiftly became clear to both humans and mythics alike that the wounded Oishi was the Jyousei players only target as the warriors served, ran and volleyed in an arrogant bid for supremacy. But in a cunning twist of superb team work coupled to clever strategy, the flagging Golden Pair used an Australian formation style of play to gradually push the score to a teetering 6-5 in their favour.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

His body wreathed in a misty, silvery light, Oishi fought back the agony threatening to disable him as he lined up a final moon volley then sent it flying for the heavens. Pushing off from a sweating Daichi's back, Ota tried in vain to swat it from the air; only to miss by a hairs breath, taking his victory hopes with it as the ball slammed down just within the baselines for a 7-5 Seigaku victory.

Smiling into each others eyes, Oishi and Eiji placed their raised palms together; their fingers tenderly intertwining as a crimson tide freely flowed from the claw wounds on the vice captain's wrist. " Let's get that seen to nya." said Eiji quietly as he led his un-protesting boyfriend from the battle field.

His dark eyes boring into the retreating Golden Pair's backs, Daichi snapped out of his trance like simmering anger as Ota spoke near his waist. " Hey! What's wrong with you?"

" Huh? Er... it's nothing." the tall youth muttered as he looked away then dropped his steady gaze onto his little friend. " That game was so interesting!"

Accustomed to seeing the great dragon always work himself into a fury whenever he was beaten, Ota was rocked to the core by his partner's sudden change of attitude. Reaching up to lay a careful hand on the other's arm, Ota tentatively spoke his name.

" They complete each other." muttered Daichi, giving Ota the uncomfortable feeling of his friend not even being aware of his existence let alone touch. " They have not only their teams full acceptance, but the friendship of all those around them. Ota.. I envy them."

The screams of Wakato's fan club jerking him out of his thoughts, the towering youth left the war zone to make way for the sparkling Knotwaddie.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

" Hurry up will you?"

Folding her arms, Tomo glared; her right foot tapping an agitated beat as she impatiently waited for a indecisive human male to decide on which drink to purchase from the tennis grounds only vending machine. Resisting an urge to breath fire on his rump, Tomo repeated her order as Sakuno gazed off in the direction of her team.

" Tomo, has Kaido's game begun?"

" Just a moment.." Moving a few steps away as the boy before the drink machine continued to "hum" and "ha" over his choice, Tomo shaded her eyes with a hand as she craned her neck to see into the near by courts. " Not yet, so there's still time!"

Mr "Could-not-make-up-his-mind-if-his-life-depended-on-it" finally choosing a berry ponta and moving away, Tomo eagerly stepped forward; only to be roughly pushed aside as a taller girl with brown hair to her shoulders rudely barged past with a haughty cry of; " What do you want to drink?" to the pair of teenage girls falling in behind her.

To the sound of a short haired girl asking which orange juice tasted best, Sakuno's eyes became enormous as her second sight revealed to her the true nature of the sudden invaders. Judging from their size, they were almost full adults enjoying yet another round of human life spans and obviously arrogant in nature as they completely ignored the tiny hatching quaking off to one side.

However, Tomo refused to be intimidated and facing up to the shadowy creatures, she balled her fists as her own hidden self spread large arm wings in a threatening gesture. " Wait!" she yelled indignantly. " We were here first!"

Catching the trio's attention, the huge dragons smirked at the sight of their small adversaries and leaning in, a girl with short brown hair tied in a little pony tail menaced the Seigaku girls with both sets of faces. " What's that cousin?" she purred as the ivory scaled dragon features overlapping her human countenance breathed a small cloud of icy vapor into the Wyvern's face. " You were just standing there and not lining up."

" That's because I was looking to see if the game had started." answered Tomo with a growl. " I only stepped back a little!"

Voicing a nasty chuckle, the white dragon's blue scaled companion flicked a contemptuous hand at her glossy dark hair. " You can take your time watching after we have finished!"

Standing on the white's other side, the hidden form of a brown dragon reared up to display an impressive wing span. " You're cutting the line cousin." her human self smirked. " And I for one feel like taking my time!" Moving around to stand behind Sakuno, she suddenly seized a dangling braid to give it a hard tug. " That's for not minding your place yolk crawler!" she snapped as the younger girl cried out in pain then slumped onto her knees as she trembled with fear.

Crouching beside her, Tomo's true self spread protective wings over the shaking hatchling as she glared up at their antagonists. " What in Aidon's realm are you doing?" she snarled. " Just because you're older doesn't mean..."

" Well you shouldn't be wearing such stupid clothes!" the brown shot back with a sneer.

" You two are from Seigaku?" drawled the blue as her true form loomed right over the quaking pair.

" No wonder you are so weak!" laughed the white as she too reared onto her hind legs.

Leaping to her feet, Tomo breathed a thin jet fire that caused the human form girls to momentarily leap back. " Weak?" she practically roared as her shadow form bared needle like fangs. " I'll show you whose weak!"

" Foolish snake blood!" rapped the blue as she laughed with ill humour. " Team Jyousei will crush you all after we have finished crushing you pathetic geckos first!"

From out of nowhere a tennis ball shot past the stalking blue at high velocity, causing her to startle and halt her death march as an uneasy silence instantly fell over the hostile trio. Then a young male voice cut through the air close by, making them forget their quarry as they turned to hunt out the disturbance to their fun. Spying a short boy in a Seigaku regulars jacket casually knocking down four drink cans lined up before a near by practice wall with pin point accuracy, the girls frowned as he withdrew a new ball from his pocket and prepared to serve at a fifth can still standing.

" What is that boy doing?" asked the puzzled human disguised brown dragon.

" Those shots are awesome!" breathed the blue as admiration shone in her dark orbs.

" He is a player for Seigaku!" snarled the white through bared teeth. " The enemy! Don't admire him you fools!"

His racket whistling up to meet his thrown ball, Ryoma hit it with an explosive crack; striking the last can in such a way that it flew into the air to bounce off the wall then rush straight at the snowy dragon girl's human head. Voicing a dismayed yelp, she ducked as her hands flew up to cover her head.

Working up an angry rebuke, the blue dragon started to menace Ryoma; only to freeze into a shocked statue as a huge shape black shape formed up to hang over the boy half turned towards them.

Large eyes of molten gold burned in a horse like face of shining ebony scale as they glared through a gleaming mane of black-green hair. Firmly bracing all four feet, the Demi-Dragon then opened great arching sails of midnight shade that shone with a soft golden glow as clouds of super heated steam drifted in lazy spirals from his heavy, half open jaws.

Their eyes almost bugging from their sockets as their mouths dropped open, a few shocked whispers of; " Look at the size of him!" "Why the golden sheen." and " What's with that weird, demon like power?" floated from the girls and it suddenly dawned on the trio that like Daichi, this dragon was not only a child of a noble, but flowed with the royal blood of the very king himself! Stammering several fast apologies as their shadowy dragon forms faded out, the girls fled in terror as Tomo's mocking laughter rang in their ears.

" Ryoma sama!" she gushed as she jumped about excitedly before his disinterested gaze. " That was so cool!"

" Whatever." he muttered as his power faded and he turned away without so much as a second glance.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

" Singles three will now begin!"

Coupled to the overhead announcement and the wildly excited squeeing of a huge crowd of fan girls, Wakato Hiroshi strolled like a rock star to bask in the glory of the adoring masses. Right arm held high, he gave his fans a saucy wink as he flipped them a jaunty wave before turning his attention to a scowling Kaido.

" So you are the Seigaku Naga." he said pleasantly as he blatantly ignored his rival's drawn out hiss. " Please show me your snake ball skills as I look forward to beating them!"

Remembering that this was the very creature who had all but spouted off to every human in Japan the true nature of himself and his friends through a magazine interview, Kaido let the scales of his hidden true form rasp together in a dire warning.

Totally unfazed by the unearthly display taking place under his interested gaze, Wakato flicked at his shining crimson hair as he grinned at the snake body's intricate winding movements. Stifling a yawn, he then extended his right hand as his lips curved in a sly smile. " Pleased to meet you.. Kaido."

The pale eyed Naga's hesitation lasting only a few heart beats, Kaido extended his own hand to clasp the other's firmly. Baring his teeth, then proceeded to squeeze hard. Pressure was at once returned with equal intensity and for several long minutes, the pair engaged in an age old battle of "stare down." Having thoroughly tested each others hand and spirit strengths, the pair simultaneously let go of each other to step back and prepare for battle.

" I'll have to decide whose power to use against you." Purred Wakato as he let his gaze drift over the quiet war zone. " Now let me think..."

" Whose power?" demanded Kaido as he stepped back, all his danger instincts on high alert in case the Knotwaddie attempted the Dark Hunter like power of energy drain.

However, the Jyousei youth simply smiled as he laid his index and middle fingers against one cheek; his pale green orbs sparkling with merriment as his mouth twitched up into a confident smirk. Enjoying the Naga's wide eyed expression, Wakato voiced a light chuckle as his right hand lowered to slide into his shorts pocket. " The most suitable power today is..." Withdrawing a white cap he tossed it high in the air then watching it spin as it slowly began its decent, he loudly clicked his raised fingers as a spectrum of bright colour crackled to life around him. Lifting his voice, the Knotwaddie called out in a firm, strong tone; " CHANGE OVER!"

To the staring Kaido, it seemed as if all of the earth's colours had gathered in one place to dance around the motionless Knotwaddie at his single command and as a great swirling cloud of twisting rainbows concealed him in its glittering, gossamer shroud, it became very clear to the hissing mythic that the Jyousei student known as Wakato was rapidly becoming someone else.

With the fog of the Knotwaddie's powers now clearing, the bandana wearing youth could see the formally calm eyes glaring straight into his own were now sharp and hard as diamond. Forcing an annoyed hiss through clenched teeth, Kaido decided to ignore his opponents strange behaviour as he strode to his place on the baseline. Glancing up as he readied his serve, Kaido couldn't help but stare as Wakato awaited his attack; his legs bent out at an angle level with his shoulders as his hips swayed restlessly from side to side. With the racket held before him in both hands wed to the white cap sitting brim backwards on his head, the hissing Naga spent a moment wondering where he had seen that stance before as he flew into action with silent venom.

Within seconds, the challenger beyond the net lit up with a sapphire blue glow that reminded the watching Seigaku players of Fuji as his left foot slid back and his racket was held high. His left arm crossing his body, he turned his left shoulder to meet the rising ball. Stringed weapon slamming against the hapless object, Wakato sent the missile roaring back to Kaido who lunged furiously and missed.

Bending his elbows, the flame-haired youth tipped his upper body back as he raised his fists to crow his superiority.

To the sound of Wakato's loud call of "COME ON!" Inui looked up from his data book to flatly announce to all within earshot that his lover was now facing a determined Lleyton Hewitt.

As the freshman gasped and Ryoma just looked on in a spectacularly unimpressed manner, Eiji thoughtfully studied the near human mythic as the red head wiped his brow with the bottom of his shirt, then proceeded to pull at the fabric covering his shoulders before dropping back into a strong semi crouch. " Even the smallest actions are the same as that player nya." he commented to no one in particular as Inui remarked to Horio on the true power of a Knotwaddie.

" The big angle stroke, the two handed backhand and the powerful legs, he has truly become Lleyton Hewitt down to the last tiny detail."

" Saa... " said Fuji in his quiet way as he watched the changeling score again. " If he is incapable of playing his own way, it's a big weakness."

" Imitation." muttered Ryoma, his eyes taking on a wicked gleam as he smirked at his life mate. " It looks like fun." Sliding his eyes shut, he smiled in a Fuji like manner that was somehow more sinister than that of the 'Blood' himself.

Totally unaware of Ryoma scaring the living hell out of his team mates behind him, Kaido's feet pounded against the hard ground as he tore up the baseline for a forehand hit. " Hewitt?" his mind snarled as his racket connected. " Are you kidding me?" But regardless of just who the irritating creature was being, Wakato was playing a very strong game and within moments the first round was over as the linesman called a 1-0 game score.

After strutting about for his adoring public, Wakato's initial serve was followed by a fierce joust of rallying that ended when the Knotwaddie hit a powerful mid air curve. For a fleeting instant, Kaido's pale irises flooded with a glittering green; the dark purple pupils turning into narrow slits as he threw his body forward to lunge like a striking snake. Hitting the ball with an explosive crack, he sent it whipping around the net poles to fly off past an astonished Wakato to score his first point of the day.

Hissing at Wakato's boast of taking the victory, Kaido's pale human eyes twitched as they fought on. Scoring again, the Naga could feel his enemy's hostile gaze boring into his back and sensing a rippling of the very air surrounding them, the bandana wearing youth swung about to glare blazing daggers of doom at his adversary.

The discarded cap now laying forgotten on the ground, a glittering mist of power flowed over the flame-haired mythic as his powers rose a second time. " CHANGE..." he yelled, the cheering girls shouting to add their voices to his; "...OVER!"

" Now what?" grumbled Kaido to himself as the power faded and the Knotwaddie fixed him with a somewhat disturbing grin. " Who the hell has he become now?" Five minutes into the new round had Kaido glaring at his opponent in a mixture of anger and disbelief as it finally dawned on him just who he was now up against. " Peter Sampras?" he wanted to yell as he mastered the urge with an explosive hiss. " You must be joking!" But a further ten minutes of hard play showed no trace of humour as he missed a lunge to fall flat on his face.

Barely hearing the dreaded call of " 30 all!" as he heaved himself back onto his feet, Kaido was only aware of Wakato standing behind him as the mythic spoke smoothly. " You don't have to work so hard, as you will lose anyway."

Glaring through a forbidding mask of dirt and sweat, Kaido curled his lip at his antagonist. " Shut up!" he snapped as he fixed the other with his serpentine stare. " You are just monkey that copies its trainer and you can't defeat me!"

" Then show me your true power little grass snake." replied Wakato with a smirk.

Returning to the base line, the imitation mythic dealt the ball a little squeeze as he wondered how his victim would handle a serve from Sampras. A brutal hit sent it into action, Kaido hitting a high ball that Wakato instantly leapt up to intercept for a savage dunk smash. But summoning up his flagging spirits, Kaido fought back to bring the score to due. Two following shots quickly bought the match to one all and to the sound of Tomo's loud cheers behind him, the scowling mamushi vowed to beat his rival down.

" It's my turn now." he thought as he glared across at the Knotwaddie apparently lost in his own thoughts as he rested his first two fingers against his cheek. " Huh! Looks like that Sampras serve isn't working for him now."

As if picking the Naga's thoughts from the air, Wakato straightened as he voiced a sinister chuckle. " Ayah! Sampras is out of style" Flinging his arm out to point at Kaido with his racket, he boldly announced his new strategy. Raising the extended arm towards the heavens, he called out once again. " CHANGE..."

"...OVER!" the cheer squad finished for him as he summoned up his powers.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he bowed his head as darkness swirled into existence around him and dazzling claws of lightening flashed to illuminate his shadowed form with an eerie silvery- yellow light. At the sight of his blazing red eyes snapping open, Kaido impatiently ground his teeth as he wondered if the creature before him was a complete idiot.

The transformation complete, the young Naga suddenly found himself facing a grinning Andre Agassi. Deciding he was growing heartily sick of such mindless nonsense, Kaido's only thoughts focused on winning quickly. But Wakato had other ideas and in his new form, he all but wiped the court with Kaido as he rapidly bought the score to 2-1.

Glaring in disgust as his rival kissed the tennis ball to the tune of many swooning fans, Kaido spoke out in a hostile tone loaded with immense irritation. " Hey, that's enough! This is not a kid's game!"

" Oh don't worry." purred Wakato as his eyes sparked with mischief. Lifting his hand to point, he calmly informed a seething Kaido of his next power play. Fighting down an urge to leap the net and punch the Knotwaddie's lights out, a hissing mamushi had no choice but to wait as his adversary played change over then suddenly switched to holding his racket in his left hand. After giving the snarling Kaido a sound thrashing as Goran Ivanisevic, the flame-haired youth changed tack to become something totally unexpected.

With a loud cry and another dazzling display of power that Kaido was rapidly finding boring, the changeling mythic stood before the startled Seigaku teenager with his arms upraised as he opened his mouth to reveal gleaming rows of needle like teeth. A shadowy second form wavered into existence to loom over him and with a back snapping jolt it dawned on Kaido that the craziest opponent he had ever faced in his life, had become the Wyvern; Gustavo Kuerton!

But having played before against both Wyverns and left handers, Kaido mastered his urge to burst into harsh laughter by taking a vicious revenge in the form of pushing the match score to 6-5.

Thoroughly annoyed at himself for becoming something the Naga could easily beat, Wakato growled out his change over in a deep, guttural tone that made his audience shiver and once the fog of his powers had cleared way, Kaido was somewhat shocked to find he was facing.. himself.

At first, he could only gape in stunned disbelief as he wondered if his eyes were playing a stupid trick; then torn between wondering if he should laugh, cry or kill, Kaido settled for giving the brazen mythic a long hard stare as they mirrored each others stance and both voiced a drawn out, tooth bared hiss.

" I don't believe it!" gasped Oishi as he joined his shocked stare to the rest of the stunned crowd ringing the battlefield. " He's become.. a Naga!"

"It's perfect." remarked an open eyed Fuji as he studied the illusionary snake body hanging over Wakato's human form. " They are like twins. All those past imitations are meaningless now."

As a watching Ryoma's eyebrows twitched slightly, Kaido made up his mind to knock the weaving copy cat flat on his rump in a crushing defeat as he quickly took the score to six all.

One-zero then one all, the game became balanced on a razors edge as the pendulum of power continued to swing each way as fate and skill conspired against the modern day knights jousting in a ferocious battle with ball and string. Diving for a particularly cunningly played boomerang snake, Wakato measured his length in the dust as a sneering Kaido felt the game becoming more like a friendly match against his brother than a do or die struggle for glory against a rival school.

His incredible strength giving in to the constant strain of scooping low balls or dashing back and forth in a race against a high speed green and white missile, Wakato finally lost to Kaido in a nerve straining, emotion charged 7-6 score for Seigaku.

Feeling a strange new surge of respect for his conquer, Wakato flipped a jaunty wave at his crying fan club as the tired but happy Knotwaddie slowly approached the net. " You're an outstanding player." he told Kaido as the fighters shook hands. " I admire you."

" So why didn't you change again?" asked the Naga as he stared into his rival's weary, pale green orbs.

Wakato smiled as he shrugged. " It was fun to be you for a while" Closing his eyes, he nonchalantly waved his hand as his fellow warrior departed to rejoin his jubilant friends.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

With the loud announcement of a ten minute break, Kaido strolled off to secure a drink; only to be stopped by a laughing feminine voice calling merrily behind his back. Wishing to slake his thirst as swiftly as possible, his dangerous stare stopped the trio cold and just as he was about to drive them away, they abruptly fled from the sudden appearance of a grinning Ryoma at his side.

Several minutes later saw the raven-haired youth savagely belting a helpless tennis against a practice wall. But annoyed by the fact that a smirking demon princess was watching his every move, Ryoma neatly caught the fast moving object to hold it motionless on his racket as he voiced a surly complaint to the painted structure before him. " It's hard for me to practice when someone is watching me."

Leaning back against a middle height retaining wall, Hanamara kept her arms loosely folded across her waist as she carefully appraised her potential prey. " Ah!" she said brightly as a pleased smile curved her painted lips. " So you noticed me!" Bowing her head, she then closed her eyes as her mind pondered the best way to persuade the reluctant youngster to join her cause. " I want to observe your moves and measure the strength of your mixed blood." Heaving a wistful sigh she quietly added; " It's a pity..."

Throwing an annoyed glare over his left shoulder, Ryoma cut off her words as he flatly spoke. " You want to flirt with me again?"

Taken aback by the child's abrupt manner, Hanamara simply stared at him as the singles star rapidly stalked away. Intrigued at what seemed to be a veiled challenge, the disguised demon pushed away from the wall to quickly stride in the raven-haired youth's wake. " ... you are in Seigaku." she told his back as if her words had never been interrupted. " Don't you think?"

" Nope!" came the sharp reply.

His swiftly striding form reflected in her oval glasses, Hanamara followed the youth as her predatory eyes gleamed. " You do realize I can place you straight on the team, so how about this; if you lose today, come to my school?"

" No way!" he snapped as his hidden demon wings rustled with barely concealed annoyance. Refusing to even so much as look at his persistent tracker, the irritated youth quickened his pace. Yet the flame-haired woman's next words stopped him as the mildly taunting tone struck a raw nerve.

" Why? Are you afraid?"

Glaring from the corner of one eye, he firmly informed her of his complete disinterest. " My place is here." he said firmly as his shadowy dragon form loomed into existence to add its weight of silent menace to his cold words. " Seigaku is my family and I'll die before I join you"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

His warm up with Kajimoto over, Shinzyo started an easy jog towards the competition courts. The route taking him right past the deserted drink vending machine, his cold grey eyes widened at an unexpected sight.

Completely alone and as vulnerable as the former hunter had ever seen him, Ryoma stood unguarded; back turned toward him and totally unaware before the liquid dispensing convenience as he casually prepared to open his newly acquired purchase.

Cruel orbs narrowing as he drew closer to the unsuspecting dragon imp, they darted about as he quickly took note of his surroundings. " It would be so easy." he thought as his running feet rabidly closed the gap between them. " No Moon Dogs, no team, the golden rock lizard dead... I could take him in an instant! But Aion..." Grinding his teeth as he thought of the pitiful shadow he had now become, his mind taunted him with the merciless knowledge that even with the Demi-Dragon as his captive he could never go back; but he could inflict the kind of revenge he so desperately craved.

Mouth curling into a wicked grin, his fog grey eyes flooded with red as razor sharp talons slowly emerged from his finger tips.

To be continued...

I SWEAR! FUJI MADE ME DO IT! BAWHAHAHAHAHA!

Runs from readers now wanting to kill me... up date coming soon!

Dragon name: Lbyngmal uh fydan: Sparkles on water.