Standard disclaimers apply. Next chapter is the last. I really hope that you enjoyed this story. I had a good time writing it for you all!


Prince of Tennis: Forgotten Memories

Chapter 7: Escaping Past Enemies

Eiji fought against his captor's grip. He wouldn't let himself be taken advantage of ever again. The man had nearly gotten him the first time. The acrobat wouldn't let him have a second chance.

"Let me go, nyah!" he shouted hoarsely. He kicked the man in the stomach. This caused the rough-looking man to cough out. He let go of the redhead's wrist to hold his stomach in pain. Eiji was able to scramble to the other side of the building quickly.

"Kikumaru, I swear you will not get away from me again!" he yelled out.

"Come on! I got away from you before, nyah! I can get away again!" Eiji shouted before coughing. His throat and voice still hurt from the screaming. He was sure he was going to lose it.

He stayed on top of the pyramid of containers he found. He was glad he learned how back in elementary school before he met Oishi and Gakuto. The crate would usually be a way to escape from his family or most of his friends.

A secret haven that he alone could get to.

Now it was an escape from the person who held him captive from the world he knew, the world he was returning to. He could rest for a while before he was saved, let his voice stay quiet. To any entity he thought of he prayed for a rescue from this mad man.

Eiji closed his eyes. He was safe for the moment. Safe and away fr-

"Hello, kitten."

The redhead jumped where he lay on the container. How had he… What team had this man once been on to make him so fast? He scrambled to get away, nearing the edge of the top container

"Get away from me!" he screamed, his voice starting to go.

"No, I don't think so."

Eiji scooted to just slightly over the edge of the container before gripping the edge. He flipped down and landed two containers down. It didn't help though. The man was right there with him.

"You were a HigaChu member at one point." It wasn't a question that Eiji uttered, it was a cold hard statement.

"Very good. So you know what I can do since you played them in the Nationals five years ago."

"But why me? What have I done to you?" Eiji demanded. He coughed hard; his voice was nearly gone now. He wouldn't be able to call for help.

"You've done enough when you and your team took down the boss' gambling ring. You, your team, and the brat's older brother."

"Y-You were on that fake cruise ship?!"

"Give the genius a prize. Yes I was. Your team and the high school team made fools of the boss. I made a vow that I would get back at you all for this… And my main target…"

"W-was me?" The acrobat's voice died with those two words. His life was going to hell and quickly.

"Now little kitten… What can I do to you?" A malicious grin widened over his lips.

Fear swelled inside of the redhead. He didn't want to be trapped there. He didn't want to be left alone to be tortured to the point where his friends wouldn't recognize him. He didn't want to end up mangled to the point where he wouldn't be able to play tennis again.

"EIJI!"

"KIKUMARU!"

The person in question looked to where the calls had come from. He recognized some of the voices but he couldn't call back. He leapt off the rest of the pyramid of containers, unconsciously grabbing the tennis racket that lay on the ground. He wasn't reacting to the grip now – he wasn't scared of what he didn't know anymore.

"Eiji-kun, where are you?" Yukimura's voice shouted. Eiji opened their synchro link as well as hit the racket against the nearest container.

"This way!" Oishi called and soon several pairs of footsteps were heard.

Eiji had to get to his friends and quickly. He could hear the sirens of the police cars and knew they were close. The redhead just prayed it would be in enough time.

He flipped the racket so it was reverse grip in his right hand. It felt strange, but he didn't want the piece of equipment any more damaged than it was. Then he made a run for it. He knew the skills of HigaChu alumnus, so he knew that this man would be able to catch up with him in a matter of seconds.

"Kikumaru!"

Eiji looked up, seeing the various expressions from his friends who were dashing toward him. His own expression was that of worry. They couldn't be there, especially those from Seigaku. They had to get everyone out quickly. He wanted to scream at them, tell them to get out, but the lack of voice hindered this.

"Eiji," Fuji spoke quickly, quickly holding onto his shoulders, "Let's get you out of here. You're safe with us now." He looked to the others, waving them off.

The former Seigaku acrobat shook his head. No… No he wasn't safe. No one from his team was safe yet.

"Eiji?" Oishi questioned. Eiji just stared into his former partner's eyes. The link they shared conveyed everything. "Everyone, out now."

"Oishi, what's the matter?" Gakuto questioned.

"HigaChu."

"What are you saying?" Inui spoke, "The probability that the man from before is from HigaChu is-"

"One hundred percent," Renji spoke, taking a step back as he saw how close the man had gotten in such a short time.

"And he wants revenge for something…" Oishi finished.

"Everyone, follow us," Tezuka called, "We leave together."

The group ran together, Oishi, Niou and Yaguu staying back with Fuji to help with Eiji. It was obvious that the redhead was tired, strained even. He wouldn't last too much longer. They could tell that much.

"You're not going to get away from me kitten!"

Suddenly, there was a sharp pain to Eiji's back. He stumbled a few steps then fell. He couldn't move as he lay there. Niou, Yaguu, Fuji and Oishi all spun around and went back to him as soon as they heard the stutter-step and fall. Oishi knelt beside Eiji, laying him on his side and placing his head on his lap. The other three stayed in front to protect the two and take down the HigaChu alumnus.

The former vice-captain would hear the sirens of the police and ambulance just outside the building. He could hear the sounds of the others directing them toward their location in the building. All he could do now, though, was wait for them to come. It seemed like almost an eternity to him.

"Eiji, stay with me… Help's on the way, just stay with me."

Eiji just lay there, his head on his former partner's lap. Though dazed, he forced himself to fight the sleep that awaited him. In his mind he knew that he had to stay awake, if not for himself then for his friends.

He couldn't allow himself to go under like he had five years before.