Here it is folks! The final chapter!! But before I begin killing my fingertips from the incessant pounding of the keyboards...a few quick words to my reviewers. First, a HUGE thank you for reading and telling me what you think of my efforts. Second, some replies!!
Celica Chick: I trained in the Korean martial art of Hapkido for six years, and my Sensai often said things like that. In fact, he was alot like Tezuka in someways...heh....but he had a wicked sense of humour our beloved Seigaku captain lacks!! I just felt the saying was appropriate for him.
Kagome Girl 21:Glad you are enjoying my fics! If you loved the sappy bridge scene, then I know you'll love the ending! I've had this planned right from the very start, and I can promise you plenty of sugary happiness to rot your teeth on! Ah! such tender moments.........
With the Mythic Brotherhood, I like to keep a fairly equal balance of drama and humour, and the " Trammel Lines" let me play around with background happenings or story requests, and allows me to more openly indulge in the boys love interests!!
Rubymoon 17: In response to our MSN chats, you get to speak to your favourite boys! Enjoy!! ( decided to go with you saying I could write anything I felt like writing, but I think you'll like it. )
Ruji: Thank you once again for your comments and the enjoyment your own work gives me! I just love to play D.D.R myself and do so quite often! I also enjoy a good air hockey battle! A lot of what I enjoy doing appears in my fics.....including the flying! Parasailing anyone?
Royale: Thanks for your review!! Tezuka plays on " Drumamania" because in the Prince of Tennis special "Band of Princes", he plays the drums! ( Tezuka plays the game as it was my inter textual reference to that special ) As for his thought of biting Inui, it is a very subtle reference to Mythic Brotherhood.....smirk.
Wildfilly: Hope you enjoyed your time in Scotland and hope you like what you see here!!
I have worked on these Wizard trains for just into 3 years now and the following onboard events the boys experience are real.
Disclaimer: Now come on!!! Do I look like I own ANY of the Prince Of Tennis Boys??? Good Grief! I'm telling you; If I did, the anime would be different! And I would positively encourage as much fan fic as possible!!! Just for the record, I don't own the railway either! I get no money out of this..AT ALL!! I just get to toss around free entertainment!!!
Takashi: ( waves racket and yells wildly) GREATO! BURNING!! BRING IT ON BABY! AMUSE ME!!!
Tora: ( huge sweat drop ) who the hell let him try to take over this intro????
" Planes, Trains, and Kids from HELL!!!!!"
Chapter 5
Story: Tora Macaw.
From the head of the train, a long sad call rang out, and the train shuddered into motion. It rolled through the vast engine shed, only to shake to an abrupt halt that over balanced a few standing people so they lurched clumsily in the seating carriages central walkway. Glaring out the window, Eiji sighed and leaned back to place both hands behind his head.
" I thought we were leaving Nya!!"
Sticking his head out of the large square opening, Takashi remarked the signals on the main line had turned red.
" Red?" grumbled Eiji in dismay. " Then we are stuck here nya?"
" Perhaps" replied Takashi as he sat down once more.
A few minutes rolled by ( during which time Tezuka's face turned an interesting shade of puce due to several party whistles all being blown at once) then a loud hoot followed by the sound of a roaring engine rang out on the main line and a huge yellow diesel thundered past pulling a well loaded ore train.
Wincing a little at the hash noise and the kids doing their very best to cover the sound with their own charming little noise makers, Eiji leapt to his feet with a cry of; " Nya! I'm off!!" as he rapidly sought means of escape by galloping up the carriage and making for the party car. Exchanging a few glances, his friends gave a collective nod of decision and bolted up the car in his wake.
Watching them go, Fuji opened his eyes to search his captain's face.
" Tezuka?"
Stony silence was his only answer and Fuji reached out to try again.
" Saa Tezuka, you haven't seen the rest of the train. Why don't you come with us?"
Hazel-gold eyes flicked in the Tensai's direction, then the captain fell straight back into brooding.
Leaning in so his lips hovered just over the shell of Tezuka's ear, Fuji whispered; " The painting car is reasonably quiet..."
Tezuka stood up so fast that Fuji jumped slightly from surprise, then his calm smile returned as he followed Tezuka's taller frame when the proud youth stalked up the carriage.
Entering the painting car, they found the two painters already under siege as kids quietly clamoured for pictures. However, the stereo played softly in the background and not a single whistle was to be seen. The over all effect after the harsh noise of the seating carriage was some what calming and leaning against an open window, Tezuka found a small element of peace.
The steamer cried out a second time and once more, the train rolled into action. Crossing the highway, it rapidly picked up speed then merrily chugged its way northward at a good pace.
Up in the main party car, a large inflatable basket ball hoop had been set up and Momo' instantly took to tossing the big, beach-ball like basket ball around the car before racing up the open floor space to shoot it through the dangling hoop.
Leaving Tezuka to his relaxation, Fuji wandered in; only have Momo' spy his entry and hurl the air-filled object straight at his face. Neatly catching the ball, he smirked wickedly in response to the wordless challenge, then began to dodge left; and jinked suddenly to the right as he feinted a move to pass his friend's defense. Laughing, Momo' nimbly cut Fuji off ; but then cried out in surprise when the honey-haired youth whirled past in a graceful dance to gain access to the suddenly unguarded structure.
A quick flick of the wrists, and the ball dropped through the net shrouded ring to the excited sounds of Eiji's cheering.
" Saa, that's one point to me."
Retrieving the ball, Momo' held it with both hands and met Fuji's gleaming cerulean eyes with a chuckle. " My turn."
Dropping into a semi-crouch, Fuji took up defense, then matched his team mates moves step for step. Springing to the right, Momo' faked an attempted throw; jumped to the left, right again, then charged the shorter youth head on. Narrow orbs glaring as he silently dared Momo' to attack, Fuji squatted as he tensed his legs for a jump. But the expected leap from the Seigaku power house never happened and without warning, Momo' sprang sideways and made a lightening-fast dash for the target. Fuji rushed to intercept, but was a heartbeat too late. Momo's victory cry of " Don!!" rang out and the bristle-haired youth flicked the side of his nose with his right thumb.
" That makes us even." Tossing the ball back to Fuji, he asked " Second round?"
While the contest restarted, Inui sighed with intense pleasure as indulged in his favorite past time; the collection of exciting new data. " Both subjects are evenly matched and I predict a 20 probability that Fuji will fail to score within the first ten minutes, however; data indicates a 90 chance of slipping past Momo's defence on the left hand side...."
Leaning with his back to the window, Kaido hissed and hoped he would soon get a turn to challenge his sempai. Feeling a little bored and slightly left out, the bandana wearing youth gazed over at Takashi as he spoke to the young wizard setting up a bowling game. Glancing back at Inui and seeing him completely absorbed in his observations, Kaido shrugged and slouched over to join his team mate.
A few kids wandered in then gathered 'round as Julius explained the game. " Only pins knocked down by the ball count for points." Changing tracks, the train gave a sudden shuddering lurch and several pins bit the floor. " That of course does not count!" he remarked over his shoulder as he strode forward to set them up again. Organizing the players into two teams, he loudly declared for the game to begin.
Stepping up to the line, Kaido glanced sideways and looked straight into a pair of glittering green eyes. Gripping the little plastic bowling ball in one hand, the ' Mamushi ' hissed his defiance at Oishi (as he stood in the opposing team) then carefully sighted the ball and bowled it. Rolling its way quickly down the " Lane" made by broomsticks laid out end to end, the ball slammed into the formation of pins and knocked down five.
Handing the ball to the kid behind him, Kaido then hissed mightily as the child threw too hard and the ball sailed through the air.
" You need to bowl it, like this." Explained Julius helpfully while the grey-beared wizard murmured " bad luck" as he retrieved the runaway object.
After passing it to Oishi, wizard Edenvale once again set up the pins; then took up position behind them. Casually, Oishi sent the ball gliding down the makeshift lane to score a perfect strike. Turning to Takashi as the youth smiled, the pair high fived, drawing a new round of angry hissing from their friend.
" Kaido sempai" said a voice near his shoulder, " let me try it."
Grinning a little, the bandana wearing youth past the ball to Ryoma, who managed to duplicate the older teenagers flawless strike.
" Nya! O CHIBI!! That's the way to play it!!"
Shrugging off the irritating bundle of red headed energy hanging off his neck, Ryoma smirked at Oishi and Takashi, then strolled away with his hands thrust into his pockets and a low voiced " Mada mada Da ne."
Placing both hands on the base of the nearest open window, the dark haired youth tipped back his head, then closed his eyes as he enjoyed the feel of the cold wind whipping through his hair. Behind him, the bowling game progressed reasonably peacefully, while off to the side; Fuji and Momo's basket ball match grew frantic, and somewhat darker as they both resorted to a few dirty tricks in order to beat the other.
Fuji barged clean into Momo' as the train gave an unexpected lurch and the Seigaku power house flung out a leg so the Tensai tripped over it, then blamed it on his lack of " Train legs." With the entire car rocking and swaying as the train flew down the tracks, Inui couldn't be to sure as he kept up his data collection. But to the watching Ryoma, the sadistic gleam flashing across the squared off glasses spoke volumes; they were cheating all right, and the juice fiend knew it.
Sighing, the short youth turned away from the window to pass close to Momo' as he stood; legs braced apart, and chest heaving as he awaited Fuji's next assault---and casually snagged the back of his robe with his left hand and kept on walking.
" Wha..? Echizen! Oy! I'm winning here! Echizen! ECH-I-ZEN!!!!"
Stumbling backwards and protesting at the top of his voice, the bristled-haired teen was unceremoniously dragged out by a nose-in-the-air Ryoma who appeared to have developed temporary deafness. Holding the basketball on his left palm, Fuji smirked cheerfully at the sight of Momo' vanishing through the door, then just simply let the object drop and roll away unheeded as he strolled over to watch the end of the bowling game.
Oishi's team had won and Kaido was glowering, but the ' Mamushi's' temper subsided when Inui laid a hand on his shoulder and quietly suggested they go buy some drinks.
" Oishi.." whined Eiji as he grabbed his partners arm, "...I'm thirsty too!"
Laughing gently, the raven-haired youth led his friend in Kaido and Inui's wake.
Left with only the company of a few kids and several teenagers, Fuji and Takashi turned their attention to the windows and watched the passing country side until the dark-haired girl they had seen on returning to the train, leaned her elbows on the next window and engaged Takashi in friendly conversation. Ignoring them, Fuji dreamily smiled as the train passed a large verdant field with a herd of black and white cattle grazing calmly on the shores of a glittering blue lake.
Sunlight flung a million glittering mirrors across the cerulean surface, reminding a certain Seigaku player of a pair of wonderfully blue eyes. Gazing silently at the water and slowly moving bovines at its edge, Tezuka found himself wondering what his team were up to. Part of him wanted to walk up the train and find them, but another part ruthlessly reigned in his emotions to keep him glued to his window. Occasionally, kids would charge past him as they made their way about the train, but on the whole; peace reigned within the painting car as it swiftly became clear to him the painters didn't like alot of excessive noise in their domain.
Eyes fixed on the distant horizon, Tezuka found his mind starting to wander. His team were strong and eager to win. He knew instinctively his team would be victorious. " Two days." he thought silently. " In just two days we play against Hideaki, then we can go home..."
" Captain." Turning his head, Tezuka gazed down at Ryoma (as he drank his juice) in an almost affectionate manner. Looking around for Momo' he noticed his team mate eagerly sitting down to have his hands painted. Laughing at something the youth had said, the solidly built woman chatted pleasantly with his friend and Tezuka turned back to the window with a faint grunt.
" Enjoying yourself Echizen?"
" Hmmm..."
Tezuka nodded and companible silence settled over the pair. Fuji strolled in to quietly take up position on Tezuka's other side, then smiled as Kaido leaned on window ledge and Inui stood close beside him. Momo' finished having his hands painted, then joined Ryoma as he moved away from Tezuka to find his own window. Eiji and Oishi soon arrived, and when Eiji mentioned the cold, Oishi Draped his coat over his partners shoulders, then gently wrapped his arms around the slightly shorter boy to make certain he stayed comfortably warm.
Watching the golden pair from the corner of his eye, Tezuka noticed Fuji clutch his scarf close against himself, then half raise the window and lean against the glass. Subconsciously, Tezuka's body gravitated towards Fuji's until to his immense surprise, he found himself carefully pressing up against the honey-haired, cerulean-eyed tennis prodigy. For a long moment, Tezuka found himself wondering why Fuji didn't move away; then he found he just didn't care. Arms folded and resting on the window ledge, the captain silently watched the world go by with Fuji leaning happily on his shoulder. Takashi wandered in with water bottle in hand and joined his team mates as they relaxed in contented harmony.
Kids ran past them yelling in exuberance, the face painters went about their work as they laughed and talked to their customers and time itself seemed to slow down and stop for the nine youths so very far from home. Minds so firmly sunk into their own private thoughts, they almost failed to notice that it was the train---not time, that was slowing to halt. Jolted out of their reverie, the teenagers moved away from each other to gaze about at the now motionless carriage.
" Where are we? " asked Takashi as he peered out at the open fields surrounding them.
" It appears to be a siding Kawamura." remarked Tezuka seriously.
" And why have we stopped here captain?" asked Ryoma quietly.
" Oh I can tell you that." broke in voice behind them.
Dismissing the child she had finished painting, the woman with the Eiji-like T-shirt waved her next customer into her chair, leaned back to casually wipe clean her paint brush, look at the team, and speak to no-one in particular.
" The drivers must have received a red signal. That means there is a goods train coming through..." braking off to bellow at a boy was attempting to lean precariously out a nearby window to ' get his head in RIGHT NOW' she spoke on as though the interruption had never occurred.
"...therefore we must sit here until it goes past."
Folding his arms, Tezuka eyed her sternly. " And how long will that be?"
Concentrating on the horse she was painting, the woman shrugged. " Could be ten minutes...maybe twenty."
" Hmmmmm...."
Cool breezes whistled in and the team spoke quietly between themselves. Fellow passengers came and went or gathered in small groups by the windows. Takashi's friend from the party car wandered in and spoke to him. Hearing the conversation and having his interest piqued, Fuji joined in. Talk somehow turned to the subject of cats and Ryoma added his comments to the discussion. Eiji had a few words to say on the subject and even Tezuka very briefly gave an opinion.
A pricing whistle outside cut off all conversation, and a goods train thundered past the windows with a great displacement of air. Swiftly it vanished to charge away with a loud rattling that soon faded into distance and peace returned. With a sudden jerk, the train moved off and quickly built up speed.
Milling groups of passengers disbanded to find new pursuits, the muttering young woman from the kiosk car wandered in still grumbling non stop under her breath to offer her friend a drink and Eiji decided he had stood still long enough. He and Oishi with Inui, kaido, and Takashi in tow left for the party car and the rest decided to brave the insanity that was their seating carriage. But much their intense relief, many of the kids were either absent or asleep, and the dreaded party whistles lay broken or discarded.
The train rolled onward and the sun began to slowly fall to the earth. Countryside gave way to suburbs and it seemed like no time at before the train was running along side the ocean once more. Crowds lined the track to wave and shout as the old steamer chugged by, and out over the sea, the glowing, golden disk of the setting sun hung a mear hand spand above the endless horizon.
Pulling into Fremantle station, the passengers waited a moment while the ramps were put in place; then they disembarked to the coach captains speeches of " We hope you all enjoyed yourselves, please travel with us again."
Last off were the teenagers from Seigaku, to be met by their ever smiling and soft voiced host.
" And you all enjoy yourselves? Excellent! Come, let us return to Hideaki! "
Once on the bus, Eiji lay across one seat, his head in Oishi's lap and was soon sound asleep. Inui and Kaido leaned wearily against each other while Ryoma and Momo' shared snacks with Takashi. As the bus reached the freeway and made its way north, Momo' found himself cradling a sleeping Ryoma against his chest. Smiling at them, Fuji felt his own Eyelids grow heavy and he began to snore against Tezuka's strong shoulder. Smiling unseen in the darkness, Tezuka carefully leaned his own head down and surrendered to his own fatigue.
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Two days shot past with brutal speed, and the long awaited match took place. The Hideaki Botan team fought hard and gave their guests a hard battle. The nine youths had the brute strength, but Seigaku had the braver hearts, and in the end; it was Seigaku who won. But the team from Seishun didn't take the victory lightly.
Fuji suffered a sprained ankle, but refused to give in to his pain. Momo' felt a terrible strain in his legs, but triumphed right at the end.
Eiji and Oishi suffered a narrow defeat, but the others carried it through. Carefully rolling his aching shoulder just before accepting the winners trophy, Tezuka gazed up at sky in reflection. Ryuzaki he knew, would be very proud.
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That night, Tezuka ordered Fuji to lie on his bed with his injured foot propped up on a pillow. Obeying at once, the Tensai smiled angelically when his beloved captain sat down with a jar of ointment; lifted the ankle onto his lap and began to gently, but firmly rub the warming substance in.
Almost purring with pleasure at the feel of Tezuka's firm hands sliding over his flesh, Fuji's smile would have rivaled the sun had it shining, and he watched his captain without speaking. Tezuka was silent, intent on his work and failed to notice Fuji relaxing under his ministrations until the teenagers sudden snore jolted him out of his task. Nodding in satisfaction as he noted how the swelling was already subsiding, Tezuka knew his singles star would be sound in few days.
Carefully standing, he ever-so-gently drew the blankets over the sleeping prodigy, then went out to discuss Takashi's wrist injury.
In the room shared by Ryoma and Momo', the pair watched TV Laughing at on screen antics, the bristle-haired youth turned to Ryoma-- only to smile warmly at the sight of his little friend sound asleep in his chair. Gently shaking him awake and softly suggesting he get to bed, Momo' helped his very tired friend stumble onto the mattress, then tenderly covered him up with the soft blankets. Sitting on the edge, Momo' stroked Ryoma's hair until sleep claimed the short youth once more.
Inui yawned mightily and removed his glasses to wearily rub his sore, tired eyes. Replacing them, he tried to focus on the pages of his data file. But the letters had taken on a bad habit of swimming around the page and stifling another yawn, the spiky haired teen decided to call it a night. Glancing over at Kaido, the Seigaku juice fiend smiled warmly then leaned down to lightly touch a sleep laxed hand where it lay beside the ' Mamushi's' face. When the sleeper never moved or stirred, Inui chastely touched his lips to Kaido's cheek, then lay down on his own bed.
Eiji mumbled, then thrashed in his sleep as he cried out in the grip of a nightmare. Emerging from the bathroom, Oishi took one look at his despairing face and sprang to the red heads side. Laying down, Oishi wrapped his arms around the flame-haired youth and murmured soothing words until the night terror past and Eiji slept quietly once more. Warm and comfortable, Oishi fell asleep right where he was and nothing at all disturbed the two young males slumbering in a loving embrace.
Reading a book, Takashi looked up at Tezuka's knock and called out a polite " Come in."
After the captain had finished inquiring about his team mates hand, he and Takashi drank tea and hot chocolate as they discussed their past and future games. Although Takashi had hidden it well, he had been feeling somewhat sad and alone all evening, but was now immensely grateful for his captain's presence and the company considerably cheered his heavy heart. It was only when Tezuka started to doze off in front him that he realized it had past the midnight hour and sleep was beginning to look good. Bidding his captain goodnight, Takashi slipped into bed and that night in his dreams, he soared through open skies beside Akutsu.
Slipping noiselessly in the room, Tezuka answered a quick call of nature then left the bathroom to stand silently over Fuji as he slept. He looked so innocent with his sleep tousled hair and relaxed features and Tezuka found himself kneeling down at the youth's side with no idea how he had got there. Rubbing his face on the soft fabric of the pillow, Fuji murmured in his sleep then snored sweetly. Blinking himself into awareness, Tezuka slowly stood then covered his mouth as he yawned. He too needed his sleep, but just before he turned away; the proud youth carefully laid his palm on the crown of Fuji's head and caressed the soft honey-brown hair with his thumb.
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Shaking hands with Mr Minekura at the airport terminal, Tezuka finished saying his goodbye's then the team bowed as one and turned away. Assorted luggage slung over shoulders or gripped in hands, the boys from Seigaku boarded the midday flight for Japan and settled into their seats. Opening his book, Tezuka traded a gentle glance with the smiling teenager at his side and began to relax. The trip home would peaceful and uneventful, and his mind wandered into a vision of how the entire school would welcome his team home as heroes.......
" Mr Tezuka!! OH Mr Tezuka you are here on the plane again! Are you going home Mr Tezuka? I'm going home! I saw my grandma and I swam in the sea, And Rode her pony, and where are you going Mr Tezuka? MR TEZUKA!!!!!!"
Digging Ryoma in the ribs, Momo' sniggered " I think our trip back just got a lot more interesting!"
Endless...............................................
AT LAST!! It's finished! Done! All over!!
Of course, if I feel crazy enough I may write about the flight home.......
Hope you the reader enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it and if you are ever in Perth, drop in and check out the rail tours!!