Yay! My new chapter is finished just in time as I'm about to run off for a week! This is the Shinzyo-Ryoma match with plenty of drama!

Eien No Kaze: I have heard of it and it's stupid! I mean, the bases of all good manners begins with curtesy and by robbing us of the god given right to say "Thank you" or to answer questions is.. to me.. just a nasty little power trip that reflects just WHY the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket!

Loanshark: Sweat! Cliff hanger...hmm...

Yoshikochan: Eiji is VERY cute, that's why I love him!

DnKs Girls: Awww...but I LOVE playing with cliff hangers and I love you guys too!

Alaena Flame Dragonstar: Take a good look at Takashi's face in the anime and you'll see his expression clearly says; "Moron". Most Mythics are comfortable with their human form power levels, but sometimes an insecure one will have his shadow form mimic his human body purely in a show of great strength to add weight to his presence. For Daichi, it's just a matter of personal pride. Shadow forms also reflect the Mythic's true thoughts or feelings.

Ruji: Ryoma will get even cooler!

Ann: I'm giving you a brief look at Tezuka this chapter.

Analine: Glad you enjoy my warped sense of humour...

DISCLAIMER: Yes, and I'm sure we all KNOW the drill now... MATE!

Blood And Shadows: A Mosaic Of Darkness...9

Pattern 8

" Shades of grey"

Part 1

Story: Tora Macaw

-.-.-.-.-.-

The last of the evenings visitors had left. In the calm that followed, a deep silence descended as the patients within a large German hospital settled down for the night. Soft footed, efficient nurses quietly went about their business as several doctors made their final rounds; one of them breaking off from a small group of chattering medical students to pause briefly before a securely locked door.

After fishing a pale blue pass key from within her coat pocket, she swiftly swiped it through a rectangular reader then proceeded to push her way through the door when it opened with a loud click. Hastening into the room beyond, the woman allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim light before crossing the short gap of open floor space to stand beside the solitary bed.

The isolation ward's sole occupant lay sprawled on his belly, sweat soaked head turned to one side as his shoulders heaved from the effort of laboured breathing. As Kristen worriedly gazed down on her important patient, her sharp intake of breath cut through the quiet air as large golden wings sprouted from the teenager's shoulders with a low pitched, leathery creaking sound. For a few minutes the bat-like limbs unfurled to lay limp and broken, only to fade away into thin air as a near unconscious Tezuka moaned in pain.

A slight shiver started in both hands that rabidly evolved into violent trembling as it travelled up his arms, then swiftly spread its malice throughout his entire body.

Her liquid brown orbs darkening with distress, Kristen withdrew a large needle from a deep pocket as she advanced on her patient. Removing the plastic sheath from the sharp point, she held the syringe upright to flick away any possible air bubbles before inserting the gleaming hypodermic directly into the right cephalic vein; just above and to one side of Tezuka's wrist.

Ever so slowly she depressed the plunger, her brow furrowing as she waited for the Dragon's Blood potion to take effect. His suffering voice sounding thin and distant, Tezuka groaned his agony before his limbs settled and his breathing resumed a slow, steady rhythm.

Covering her sigh of relief by turning her patient over, Kristen settled her king comfortably on his back before silently calling her daughters. " They'll sponge you down lord gold." she quietly informed him as her concerned finger tips whispered through fever damp hair. " It will help you feel better and hopefully you'll wake up without the illness." Unhooking her stethoscope from around her neck, Kristen placed the rounded head pieces within her ears then carefully moved the circular metal part over the teenager's gently raising and falling chest; her teeth grounding against her trembling lower lip as she listened to the strained sounds of an unstable heart beat.

A brisk knock at the door interrupting her dark thoughts, Kristen replaced the instrument about her neck as she answered the new arrivals with her mind. A few minutes later the nurses had peeled away Tezuka's upper clothing to apply damp, cooling clothes. Eye lids rapidly flickering, the regal teenager muttered beneath his breath as his head tossed restlessly against his pillow. Hands feebly waving about as through trying to ward off an unseen danger, his intangible mumbling flowed together to form desperate, gasping words.

" Echizen...' he croaked dryly, a fresh crimson fever erupting upon his brow that caused his entire body to burn with a malevolent scarlet glow. " Echizen... danger..." Uttering a low cry as his back arched and his limbs convulsed, he repeatedly called out to his distant grandson. " Dark... Hunter... Echizen... RYOMA!"

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

Wickedly sharp claws emerging from human fingertips, Shinzyo's fog grey eyes burned with a malicious fire as he jogged ever closer to his intended victim. The boy toying with the ring top of his can still seemed completely unaware of his impending doom and thin lips curving into a cruel smile, the former Hunter captain prepared to strike out his life.

" I shall have to flee at once." he thought grimily as he rapidly closed the gap between them. " Hanamara will kill me for this, but I must take revenge... I MUST!" His mind suddenly filling with dreaded images of his outraged saviour hunting him down almost caused Shinzyo to balk; but sustained by the knowledge that the Demi-Dragon's powerful life force would allow him to escape detection for a very long time, he felt his flagging courage rise as he drew closer.

A huge shape suddenly shimmered into existence to hang phantom like over the relaxed Ryoma, swiftly making a startled Shinzyo very quickly rethink his plans as he stared at the incredible apparition in a mixture of anger and shear disbelief. Echizen Ryoma the human may have still had his back turned, but the shadowy form of a great black dragon was looking straight at him with golden eyes that firmly warned against any rash movements.

With the realization that his potential victim knew full well of his plans, Shinzyo was forced to swallow the bitter gall of his rage; his claws retracting as he jogged on his way without stopping.

'Wise move.' sounded a smug voice within his mind as he passed through a ghostly dragon face glaring into his own. ' Mada mada da ne.'

One grey eye rolling sideways to stare at Ryoma's back as he all but forced himself to keep running, Shinzyo could only nurse his intense hatred and frustration as he planned to extract a different kind of dire vengeance in the brutal arena of ball, line and string.

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

" Singles two will now begin! Repeat: Singles two will now begin!"

As the overhead speakers rang with the strident call, the large crowd ringing the war zone settled back to watch the coming battle. For the humans, it was just prelude to yet another exciting tennis match. But to the hidden groups of Mythics shrewdly observing the pair now stalking out to glare it each other, the approaching conflict held a sinister undertone. With nothing but a flimsy shield of thin air and an ivory coloured painted line the only thing between them, the warriors took silent measure of each others weakness or strength as cruel grey eyes and confidant green-gold orbs locked in an intense stare of challenge.

'YOU!' The mental voice cracked like a stock whip, yet a defiant Ryoma refused be intimated as he brazenly glared back at the Dark Hunter looming over him. A tangled kaleidoscope of memories briefly tumbled through the young Demi-Dragon's mind, pausing here and there on significant scenes from the two battles they had shared; yet even the images of the brutal wounds he had suffered failed to ignite sparks of fear as the raven-haired youth treated the telepathic threat with all the disdain of flea bite. 'Because of you I lost my rank, lost my place in my clan and almost lost my life! I swear accursed spawn of a rock lizard, as I now suffer... so too will you!'

Seeing an expression of "Yeah.. whatever.." cross Ryoma's face before turning his back on the fuming demon, Eiji voiced a low pitched growl of fear as he held a trembling right hand up to his mouth. " That Hunter is still dangerous nya!" he muttered as he leaned forward. " Will our chibi be safe?"

" Reji Shinzyo." said a data file holding Inui as he stared at the minor drama playing out before him. " I don't have much data but if you can see his true self, it's clear he has suffered far worse than Fudomine's Ishida Tetsu."

" Tetsu." remarked a dismayed Fuji as he studied the former Hunter's hornless head and ragged strips of limp sail. " I heard that Aion tortured him."

" You heard correctly Fuji and you have personally seen the results." Closing his data book with a faint snap, Inui tucked it under one arm as he thoughtfully rubbed his chin. " I fear Shinzyo is out for revenge."

" Revenge." thought a newly returned (and more or less recovered from illness) Momo as his own grim memories of what Shinzyo had once done to him flooded his mind. " Twice he attacked my Ryoma and twice he failed." Taking careful note of the pale grey energy pulsing about the malicious former Hunter, the bristle-haired teenager's deep purple eyes narrowed as he hoped his beloved life mate would be safe.

Similar thoughts also chased each through the mind of a very young red dragon as she watched the warriors prepare to face off and fearing for Ryoma's life, Sakuno decided not only to remind the obviously seething demon of her team mates protective presence; but to also let Ryoma know he was never alone.

Throwing her head back, her voice left her in a fearful cry. " SEIGAKU!" Spinning around on one heel, she faced her startled friends to awkwardly jerk her pompoms up and down as she forced a nervous chant from the depths of her soul. " S.E.I.G.A.K..YOU CAN SAY! HEY SEIGA! HEY SEIGA!...LETS GO!"

Grateful for the distraction, Eiji felt some of his tension melt as he joined his voice to Sakuno's. Moments later, the entire team had taken up the chant as hope for Ryoma's victory soared and each mythic gave the scowling Shinzyo a strong reminder not to attempt any moves on their little friend's life.

The rhythmic clapping wed to a swelling volume roared in painfully in Ryoma's ears, braking off his mind link to Shinzyo as he wondered just what in Jigoku his friends were up to now. " I need to concentrate..." he silently grumbled to himself. " ...and with all that noise..."

Sensing his lover's annoyance Momo swiftly past the word through the ranks and as the tumult died down, a watching Hanamara shrugged as she turned her full attention to the battle field. " They have plenty of spirit, but it wont save them now." she thought as a glaring Shinzyo readied his serve. " You may have escaped from my star player before with a few deep scratches Ryoma, but today Shinzyo will crush you under his sneakers and you WILL belong to me!"

'Hey Hunter..' called Ryoma silently as his opponent bounced the ball prior to serving. '...you may have cut me with your claws, but today I'll rip you to shreds with my skills.'

Gripping the ball so hard it creaked alarmingly from the pressure, Shinzyo sent a long, savage glare at his former quarry.

'You'll be feeling my claws again skink skin, for once I have beaten you...'

'If you play as badly as you boast..' cut in Ryoma with the smirk, '... I'll be back under a tree with a can of ponta in my hand in less than half an hour!'

His eyes flashing with anger Shinzyo tossed the ball high, Ryoma watching closely as the demon's racket whistled up to meet it. A loud crack and the missile was flying arrow straight for the expectant Seigaku youth, who returned it in a business like manner to the spot just before where the tramlines met the right corner baseline for a perfect score.

' Make that twenty minutes.' grinned Ryoma as a seething Shinzyo retrieved the errant object. ' Hurry now...'

' You'll pay for your insolence half bred gecko.' Came the snarling reply. Taking his place, Shinzyo served a second time; only to have a mildly bored looking Ryoma send it straight back for another instant point.

" He scored again." remarked Oishi with satisfaction as he watched the grey-haired Jyousei player fetch the ball again.

" Hoi! Hoi!" laughed Momo' from his place on the bench. Drawing Ryoma's jacket draped cape-like over his shoulders a little tighter about himself as he shivered from the after effects of Inui's juice, he loudly declared to all within ear shot that the sharp eyed, muscular youth was nothing at all.

" Yeah.." agreed Takashi beside him with a grin. " Whose afraid of a broken bat?"

As an exuberant Eiji to one side of him yelled for his "chibi" to crush the larger youth, Fuji's brow furrowed as he sensed the enormous amount of partly restrained power emanating from the glowering player. Half turning to a quiet Inui standing on close by, he softly inquired as to the nature of the ancient disguised Basilisk's private thoughts.

" My Data tells me nothing." the spiky-haired juice fiend began as his unwavering gaze never left the battle field. " Deep Earth clans are well known for unpredictable behaviour and Dark Hunters are known for carefully studying their prey."

" Basilisk's are hunters too and I've seen how you study us." Thought Fuji, a slight shudder rippling down his spine as he opened his mouth to speak." Then.." he mused as his piercing cerulean orbs peeled open, " ...he is losing on purpose?"

" Yes." said Inui with a nod. " I fear he is setting Echizen up for a very bad fall..."

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

" Score: Zero-One! Seigaku's match! Change court!"

Casting an incredulous eye on Horio as the Tanuki cheerfully crowed Ryoma's superiority, Shiba then swung a contemplative glance Shinzyo's way before turning her attention to a thoughtful Mamoru Inoue at her side. ' This IS the same Dark Hunter we all feared isn't it?' she sent scornfully. 'It looks like the king's blood could beat him with both hands tied behind his back!'

' He is up to something.' he silently replied while thoughtfully rubbing his chin. 'Surely past experience has taught you to by wary of my kind lady Shiba.'

Feeling a little of her lost anxiety creep its way back into her mind, Shiba's only answer was a firm nod as the on court fighters began to pass each other only a scant meter away from a tensely watching Ryuzaki.

'If not for the fire scale, I would rend your stinking hide where you stand imp!' Snapped Shinzyo with intense hatred as he drew level with his despised enemy.

'I had a bath this morning.' Ryoma all but purred as his mental tone dripped with a barely stifled, self-satisfied ill humour. 'Forget the twenty minutes, I'm going to make it fifteen.

His breath leaving him in an outraged hiss, Shinzyo reined in his urges to kill the raven-haired youth on the spot by squaring his shoulders and marching with a measured tread to his new place behind the service square. Staring at his broad back, the old red dragon folded her human arms as she felt a rare surge of sympathy for the broken Hunter then; switching her gaze over to Hanamara, she found she couldn't help but wonder at the demon princess's smug expression.

Sounding like a gunshot, Ryoma's powerful serve echoed out over the war zone. Sprinting back and forth, the modern day knights jousted in armour of light cotton while titling lances of ball and string as their own sneaker shod feet became their fiery steeds. A run, a hit; the arena resounding from the sound of a brutal back hand and all too soon the bout was over with a young, dark-haired Mythic holding power over his foe at two games to zero.

Blatantly ignoring the exulting Seigaku cheer squad, the sharp eyed demon glared savagely at Ryoma as the Demi-Dragon fought down an urge to yawn. 'This is really boring.' drawled the shorter youth as Shinzyo bitterly nursed his wounded pride . 'You may have once hurt me, but at least when you were hunting me it was EXCITING!'

' Then I'll hunt you again imp! Here and now!' The silent roar startling Ryoma out of his complacency, he recoiled only slightly at the sight of his rival's glowing crimson orbs as the former Hunter Captain spoke again. 'So you think you are Aion himself dragon blood? Your insignificant life will soon be in my claws and not a single mythic can stop me!'

' Oh really?' asked Ryoma, one slender black eye brow raising as his opponent tossed the ball high. 'I can feel an increase of energy, but...' The little green and white missile charging straight at him temporarily suspended all telepathic communication as Seigaku singles champion swung his weapon; only to have his carefully thought out counter attack fly wide of the base line, all but handing his enemy a point score on a sliver platter. Checking his hard struck racket for any signs of damage, Ryoma's brow furrowed as he glared across at the staring Hunter. ' You made me miss. You'll pay for that.'

'Huh!' scoffed Shinzyo as he deliberately showed his rival his back. 'Look now on the sad remains of my wings, for yours will be WORSE once I'm finished with you!'

Seeing how the once proud demon showed off the pathetic remnants of once mighty sails to all those able to see, Ryuzaki cast a nervous glance Hanamara's way as an open eyed Fuji sensed a second energy surge rise from the limp winged Hunter; far greater than the subtle first gathering had been. " He's setting a trap." he firmly announced, instantly grabbing everyone's horrified attention. " I can feel it!"

" A trap?" muttered Momo as he immediately called out a silent warning to his life mate. 'Beware Ryoma! It's a trap!' "DAMN!" he snapped a moment later as his top lip curled into a snarl of helpless rage. " Something is blocking me, I can't feel his mind!"

For the slender, cap wearing Seigaku youth facing an energy charged opponent over the flimsy shield of a central net, the feeble force of his life mate's sending only just touched the furthest edges of his mind like the fluttering of a butterfly's wing; then it was gone, leaving the bewildered teenager with an eerie feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world as the shock wave of Shinzyo's increased power skipped over the battle field to stir up loose tendrils of gleaming black hair.

Suddenly, the ball had left his enemy's racket to hurtle straight toward him and firmly setting his feet, Ryoma held his weapon ready. Left arm scything upwards in a rush to meet the attack, the young Demi-Dragon inexplicably found himself standing within a curling cloud of a grey mist that dulled his vision as it sapped of his will to play. Feeling a cold dampness wed to a terrible silence as a strong sense of mind numbing unease washed over him, Ryoma was only just aware of the ball striking his racket with an immense force. The stringed object flying from his limp grasp, it whirred against the high wire fence, then fell to the ground with an ominous clatter. Hardly hearing the linesman's call of " 30-15!" the younger player's shoulders heaved as abruptly, all sight, sound and feeling returned to him.

" The...ball..." gasped Ryoma as his lungs fought for air. " It felt...wrong...and that fog!" lifting his head, he glared over at Shinzyo whose piercing crimson gaze seemed to mock him. " What was...that fog?"

Beyond the dubious safety of the court fence, Eiji let out a low pitched worried yowl as he pressed his trembling body against the stalwart protection of his disguised Moon Dog boyfriend. " That energy!" he mewled as images of his own past ordeal with Dark Hunters howled their loathsome way out of the deepest recesses of his memories. " Oishi! I'm afraid!"

Gathering the shaking Cat-Lord into the warm circle of his arms, the raven-haired vice captain tenderly soothed away his lover's distress with gentle caresses and soft words. " Don't be afraid beloved." he murmured into Eiji's wavy red mane as full lips carefully pressed down. " I'll protect you and Ryoma..."

" Are you certain?" cut in a anxious Momo' as he flung his right hand out to point. " That's MY life mate out there and I can't even TALK to him let alone protect him! So what good are you?"

Noticing an expression of hurt flash across Oishi's eyes at the Mongoose spirit's scathing remark, Fuji sensed that perhaps not even the Moon Dog's banishing howl could help Ryoma now as the Hunter's powers curled about him in a writhing dance of death. Also feeling the buzz of malignant energy, Inui shifted about on his feet; a long, low hiss of fear escaping him as Shinzyo served again.

His large green-gold eyes never leaving the ball, Ryoma watched the grey shrouded object approach. But just as he was pondering the strange misty energy infused within the speeding missile, he once again found himself lost in cold cloud bank as his racket connected at an odd angle. Mist clearing as suddenly as it had engulfed him, the raven-haired youth glared at the ball now innocently bouncing off the fence line for Jyousei's point.

" What's happening nya?" cried Eiji as he puzzled over the bazaar sight of Ryoma acting as though he had never played tennis before in his life." It's like he doesn't know what he's doing!"

" It's because he truly doesn't know." said Fuji quietly as his powerful 'Blood' senses revealed to him the true nature of Shinzyo's serves. " The demon has loaded each ball with a wave of energy to confuse Echizen's mind."

A gasp of consternation rose from the group and as Inui re-enforced the weight of truth behind the honey-haired teenagers words, Momo' leapt to his feet; his hands cupped around his mouth as he shouted for all he was worth.

" HE IS TRYING TO CONFUSE YOU! FIGHT IT RYOMA!"

Wincing a little at the strident bellow, Ryoma narrowed his eyes as he glared at his motionless opponent. " So, That's it! He aims to confuse me? Alright hunter, if that's the way you want it..."

Several meters away, Shinzyo poured his power into the ball as he prepared to serve it. " Yes.." he thought triumphantly as the little round object started to glow with a misty grey light. "...attacking your mind works well. Forget how to play dragon spawn, then bow before me when I have beaten you!"

Seeing the ball leave the Hunter's hand, Ryoma braced himself as he forced his body to concentrate. " I know how to hit correctly." he sternly told himself as the doom laden missile thundered towards him. " I know how to play! I must move left...or is it right? Do I hit up or down..." Feeling the now chillingly familiar sensation of uncertainty wash over him, an involuntary cry of pain was torn from his lips as his fire lanced through his skull and his racket was forcefully ripped from his grasp.

With the game now standing at 2-1, Fuji looked ready to murder the former Dark Hunter as Inui commented to the rest of the team beside them. " It's clear to me that Echizen must boost his shields to prevent the attack, but it's very difficult; even for the experienced to overcome."

Inui's tone was so bitter, his face such a forbidding mask as he spoke that the others couldn't help but wonder...

Completely relaxed and supremely confidant of her player's easy victory, Hanamara rattled her hidden, smoke like invisible wings as the end of her tail twitched up and down. Throwing a smug look Ryuzaki's way, the demon princess voiced a light, care free chuckle as she sent her thoughts to the old human disguised red dragon. ' So fire scale, how do you think the golden imp will handle attacks aimed directly at his mind?'

' Confusion...' answered Ryuzaki with a sneer. '...while true it's very strong, Shinzyo is but a single hunter using it AND from a distance I might add!' A thin jet of smoke shot from the old woman's nostrils. ' Echizen will soon over come it!'

' While that maybe true..' replied Hanamara as she flicked an unconcerned hand at her hair, ' it's clear to me it wont happen soon as he is rather disorientated right now.'

Reddish-brown eyes blazed as Ryuzaki threw the Jyousei coach a contemptuously dirty look. 'Resorting to such unhanded cheating to win..tsk,tsk..for shame!' Snorting a laugh, she ignored her rivals blazing glare of doom to remind the arrogant female from Thleer just who she was truly dealing with. ' He will recover as his golden blood makes him strong!'

'We'll see...' grumbled the red head as she in turn reminded the old scarlet scale that her king was dead. Such a taunt should have set the creature cringing but when she replied to the barb with a wicked grin, Hanamara suddenly found herself wondering what the old dragon knew that she didn't and to her utter dismay, she felt the thought to be very disturbing indeed.

A cool breeze had sprung up to lightly caress the faces of the adversaries locked in a do or die struggle. Pacing up to the net, Shinzyo glared down at his hated enemy as the cloying air currents stirred up dark black bangs with nimble fingers. " Are you afraid now dragon blood?" When a sharp glance followed by a quick leap back to the base line was his only answer, the grey-haired youth turned on his heel to stalk angrily to the back of the service square. ' I'll make you fear me.' Seeing a look of grim determination settle in Ryoma's eyes, Shinzyo smirked as his slight opponent sent the ball flying across the net. Energy pouring from hand to racket, the malevolent force flowed its way into the ball all within the split second time frame of connection.

Flying back before him, Ryoma watched the curving ball as a cat watches a mouse. " I'll hit left of him." he thought as it drew ever closer. " He hasn't held it, so it can't..." Two, then four balls shimmered into existence to waver wildly before the startled youth's wide eyes. " Which one? Which one do I hit? What's happening to me?" His mind rapidly becoming an empty void, Ryoma swung out in desperation; only to strike with an excessive force that sent the missile slamming into the wire behind Shinzyo with all the strength of pile driver.

Just as fast as it had struck the confusion melted from his mind, leaving the young Demi-Dragon shaken and drained as his shoulders slumped. " Why?" his thoughts screamed as he stared at his racket held firm in a tightly clenched fist. " Why can't I fight it?"

'Because you are nothing but a pathetically weak salamander fresh out of it's shell with no golden iguana to help you.' Sneered Shinzyo imperiously as he effortlessly picked the younger boy's unguarded thoughts out of the air. 'You're weak! I should have done this to you long ago, but I was too blinded by the thrill of the hunt, the thoughts of glory connected to capturing you in a bloody conflict to confuse you first. Oh yes! I was a fool back then, but those days are gone!'

" NO!" thought Ryoma desperately as he readied his next serve. " I can't be taken by such an attack again!" But the returning ball turned his mind to mush and watching it roll away as the linesman called the score, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a powerful desire to not only win the match, but make the former Dark Hunter captain look like a complete fool at the same time.

A sly smile curving his lips, Ryoma grinned across at his powerful adversary. " So.." he called out in a mocking tone, " ...It's going to be tougher than I thought!"

Snorting at the defiant taunt, Hanamara looked over at her potential prey with a pleased smirk on her face. " Echizen Ryoma.. half born son of the Fire lake Clan and the power of the king himself... you WILL stay confused! Shinzyo will beat you and I'll take you back to Jyousei Shounan tonight! And IF you have the nerve to resist me..." she turned her predators eyes towards a worried Momoshiro, "...a threat to your beloved life mate should seal your unfailing obedience!"

Oblivious to the sinister plot forming behind his back, Ryoma forced himself to concentrate with every piece of willpower he possessed, but again the confusion engulfed him; bringing the game to a teetering two all.

" OK.." thought Ryoma as his head cleared and pushed firmly at his cap brim. ' You! Rag wing! These attacks end now!'

Cold grey orbs twitching at the insult, Shinzyo's outraged glare could have frozen a dam burst in its tracks. 'End? I think not puny lizard! Hanamara wants you...Aion only knows why... and once she has her claws in you, you'll feeling mine as well!'

Remembering how the irritating woman had badgered him earlier about joining her team, Ryoma stared straight into the taller youth's cold, cruel eyes as he drew himself up to his full scant height. ' And I told her I would die first.' he sent as his draconian shadow form reared up to stand proudly over his head.

'So be it.. DEMI-BEAST' spat Shinzyo as he gazed upon to shadowy echo his enemy's final form ' I never had the pleasure of fighting you in that shape before, but I shall soon enjoy slaying you DRAGON!'

A group of fearful faces pressed against uncaring wire. Many eyes widened as hearts beat fast and a cherished friend began a new round of intense battle against a seemingly unstoppable juggernaught. With fists clenched before his chest, Eiji's diaphragm rumbled from the deep throated, cat like growl rolling out of him." NO!" he cried out as his entire body shook with despair. " This can't be happening! Echizen! Fight back!" Turning to Oishi, he buried his face against the soft fabric of his lover's jacket. " If the love of a true friend can give strength to the chibi, then let my love be added to his power!"

As the Seigaku vice-captain stroked his boyfriend's hair, Momo' cocked his head to one side as a strange notion borne out of Eiji's desperation started to form in his mind. " The love of a true friend... the love of a life mate... hmmm... I wonder..." Turning to an open eyed glaring Fuji, the bristle-haired youth steeled himself to look straight into those dangerous cerulean orbs as he spoke to the powerful 'Blood'. " Fuji, I Need your help."

Hearing a familiar voice, Fuji tipped his head his head back to gaze up at the taller youth looming over him. For a brief moment, his glittering eyes held Momo's deep purple ones before his lids slid shut and his normal serene smile slipped back into place. " Saa.. you need my help?"

" Yes." nodded Momo', his breath exploding as he hadn't even realized he had been holding it. " Can you drain out some my energy and give it to Ryoma?"

Closed eyes snapped open as Fuji drew a startled breath. " I... I can do it...but it's dangerous and given the distance..." he turned to gaze at a sweating Ryoma, " ...plus, with Shinzyo blocking your attempts to speak with him, it may not work"

" I know." Momo' replied softly as he as gazed out at his beloved one.

Nodding, Fuji reached out to place a warm, dry hand on the taller youth's brow. A subtle amount of energy began to flow from Mongoose to 'Blood' as the others looked on with extreme interest. Voicing a little gasp, Eiji placed a hand on Momo's shoulder and instantly felt a tiny amount of his own life force drain out to merge with that of his friend. Covering his lover's hand with his left palm, Oishi poured some of his healing power that was quickly picked up by Fuji then integrated into the duel energy of Cat Lord and Mongoose. Exchanging a knowing glance, Kaido, Inui and Takashi placed their own limbs over the joined hands of the golden pair and with Fuji adding his own little kick of power, he held out his left hand; his frown furrowing as he concentrated on pushing the united life forces through Shinzyo's local area concealing shield.

A muscle suddenly twitched in the grey-haired youth's right cheek as his narrow eyes fixed their malevolent gaze on his despised enemy and feeling a strange blend of life forces trying to worm it's way through his iron clad mental barriers, Shinzyo became distracted from his objective of keeping his opponent confused as he extended his shields to push back the subtle invader.

Sensing the Dark Hunter was dealing with an unknown threat, Ryoma boosted his own flagging barriers and as his dragon abilities rose to mesh within his demon blood, he unexpectedly experienced a sudden rush of power; as though a door had been opened to allow an outside influence to charge inside his personal space then securely wrap itself around his mental defences. For a brief moment the young Mythic stood encased inside a misty glow of pale blue light, then he was on the move; tossing the ball high to launch a devastating twist serve straight at his rival's face.

Swearing under his breath, Shinzyo forcefully dragged his mind back into the game as he loaded the incoming missile with his confusion power. His glowing eyes never leaving the ball, Ryoma felt a brief serge of uncertainty that caused him to fire his return shot a little to hard; but as it was nothing compared to the pervious mind numbing attacks, his face split into a pleased grin as he felt all his protective abilities slide into place.

'You can't hurt me anymore Hunter' He sent as he served again. ' It's pay back time.'

Shinzyo's returning ball was fast, furious and loaded with malice, yet a clear minded Ryoma leapt high at the net to slam it down in a brutal dunk smash that flew straight at his shocked enemy's unguarded face. Scoring a point as the startled Hunter failed to block it, Ryoma smirked as he served again. As it had done before, the ball suddenly curved in mid flight as it cleared the net to wing it's way to a point directly between the taller player's clearly outraged eyes.

'My great grandfather's power... taste it.' he sent as the returning ball unexpectedly turned like a wheeling hawk to fly arrow straight onto his waiting weapon. ' Prepare to lose!'

The little round object impacted against hard string with an explosive crack, then roared its way straight past a surprised Shinzyo's head. With the score now back in his favour, Ryoma acknowledged the crowds acclaim with an arrogant tug at his cap brim and a silent thank you to his team mates.

Her dark grey eyes widening, a flabbergasted Hanamara wondered just how on Earth the young Demi-Dragon had managed to break out of her star player's confusion field. With the final serve curving right around Shinzyo to fly off unchallenged, she winced as she suddenly picked up the former Hunter's open send of; 'You are so dead dragon imp!' Wasting no time, the red-haired woman sent an urgent message; only to recoil in shock as her silent communication was soundly rebuffed. Trying again, she gasped at the set of her player's shoulders and at the deadly expression marring his serious face as she sensed his opponent speaking to him.

' This game is mine.' Ryoma told him as he crouched in readiness for his rival's serve. ' You're a broken Hunter far from home aren't you? and without Aion and the rest of your pack, you are nothing!'

Having Ryoma break through his confusion attack had been a bitter blow to Shinzyo's pride, but this slur on his power suddenly became more than he could take. It was truly the last straw, he could contain himself no longer and feeling his self control snap, his eyes sparked a fiery crimson as his unbridled fury broke free. Tangled images of him fighting Ryoma flashed through his mind as he remembered dodging the imp's energy blasts then crashing through them to dig sharp talons deep in his yielding flesh. He saw himself breaking the Mongoose's leg before gathering the unconscious Demi-Dragon into his arms; only to stopped by the accursed gold dragon and his pet guard dog. A memory of Aion rending his flesh while tearing off his treasured horns leap up to taunt him, then he was back in the present; glaring at this impudent insect who had dared to challenge him and in a furious blaze of savage reasoning, Shinzyo decided to kill the imp; slowly and painfully before everyone present and to the darkest depths of Jigoku with the consequences.

A screaming tension suddenly sprang up to lay like a thick, smothering blanket over the large crowd and taking note of his opponent's lava like orbs and twisting grey energy, Ryoma suddenly felt he may have pushed his taunt a little to far. But undaunted by the prospect of a devastating revenge, he dropped into a semi crouch as Shinzyo prepared to serve.

Crossing his arms in front of his body, the former Hunter Captain's iron tense shoulders leaned slightly forward; his eyes closing as he gathered his greatest natural weapon into the tiny green and white object tightly clenched in his left fist.

Feeling the rapid rising of a terrible power, a chill of recognition crept up Hanamara's spine as all doubt was swept aside and catapulting to her feet Jyousei Shounan's unearthly coach sent forth a desperate warning. 'Shinzyo, NO! You can't do..THAT! I forbid it! Do you hear me Hunter? I FORBID IT!'

But the object of her silently shouted order was beyond hearing, beyond awareness as abruptly, his entire world suddenly narrowed down to a single tennis court and Echizen Ryoma became its only inhabitant.

Completely aware of the malicious energy seeping from the grey-haired youth, Shiba cleared her mind as she too fought to reach the furious youth. 'You plan to take life here and now? No Llyum, I will not allow it!'

Hardly aware of commands and threats bombarding him from every quarter as many others added their silent voices to the mental fray, Shinzyo built up his walls; blasting them all aside as the sole thought of killing the young Demi-Dragon raged unchecked throughout his heart.

Glowing with a malignant grey fog, Shinzyo sent an energy laden ball straight at his victim's face. ' Now Imp..' he snarled as the doom baring missile raced directly at its target, '... despair, and DIE!'

To the shorter player's incredulous eyes, the rapidly approaching ball seemed to waver before him; yet Ryoma could sense in an instant that this time, the power was different as his mind remind clear. But the image still seemed to fade out; a glacial chill washing over him as he drew back his arm to swing. Unable to pin point the missiles trajectory, the cap wearing singles star caught a merest glimpse of the pulsing object before it shot past his face with a whoosh like hard swung a battle axe.

A fiery trail of pain suddenly blazed to life on the side of Ryoma's face; filling his head with agony as he felt a terrible sensation of a hook embedding into his flesh, then ripping away to take some his living energy with it. Cheek glowing a deep scarlet as the razor edge created by power stealing forces surrounding the ball parted his skin, Ryoma never heard the thin cry torn from his lips as his vision spun and his world turned black.

His cap flying off, the Seigaku super brat pitched backwards to lay motionless on the hard ground as shocked calls and unbelieving telepathic shouts made the very air ring.

' NO!' cried Ryuzaki fearfully as she leapt to her feet. ' I have to stop this, he's taking the imp's life!'

' NO Shinzyo NO!' Screamed Hanamara as her eyes blazed with anger. 'Don't you dare try to kill him boy! Don't you DARE!'

Glowing with a foggy mist that curled about him as his eyes glowed red, Shinzyo completely ignored the crowd to glare at his fallen opponent; an arrogant sneer twisting his lips as he stalked towards his prey, the torn shreds of his wings standing out from his shoulders as narrow orbs in a lean, pale face burned with merciless death.

To be continued...

Yes, yes, I know! Evil cliffie yet AGAIN! But hey, I have to have some hobbies and being mean is one of them...

Next update will be in two weeks when I return from my holiday. Thank you for reading!