Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, the characters are all borrowed from its magnificent writer.

Summary: Ryoma comes back from America with a dark and mysterious past that continuously haunts him. Just when he's about to forget, the person that caused all his misery reappeared in his life to claim Ryoma wholly. Will his sempai be able to save Ryoma, or will he forever be locked in a past he only knows?

Chapter 4

"Yo, gaki!"

"Nya, Ochibi!"

Ryoma sighed for the umpteenth time, struggling to maintain his balance as both Momoshiro and Kikumaru slung their arms around his shoulders.

"Momo-sempai, Kikumaru-sempai…" Ryoma gritted his teeth in annoyance "I won't go anywhere so it's totally inconvenient for all of us if you keep on hanging on me like insufferable leeches!"

"But—

"Ryoma's right you know… it would be really inconvenient if you can't keep your hands to yourselves" Fuji butted, immerging from behind. His smile was securely in place but his cerulean orbs are peeking from behind thick lashes.

"Someone might misplace their wasabi again and you wouldn't want it to be found in your lunches, don't you?" Fuji questioned, closing his eyes and smiling more brightly.

"Aaahh…. Hai!" both sweat dropped while Ryoma remained oblivious, yawning drowsily. Kikumaru was stressed in trying to forget the hell he experienced the previous break while Momoshiro was busy praying to all the gods he knew for protection.

"Anyway, Ryoma said so himself that he's going to join the Tennis Club, ne?" Fuji addressed.

"Hai…. And if we don't start moving, we'll be late" Ryoma answered while walking, already a few yards ahead.

"MATTE. ECHIZEN!!!"

Kikumaru and Momoshiro ran after their kohai dreading to be alone with the sadist while Fuji maintained a leisurely pace behind.

=======================MD========================

'Knock, knock'

"Come in" an eerily familiar voice invited him in. Ryoma opened the wooden door to the Coach's Office.

"Excuse me, I would just like to submit my application…" Ryoma glanced as the coach who was previously facing the window turned around. "….. Ryuuzaki-sensei…?"

"Aaahh, Ryoma! I was expecting you!" the elderly woman smiled affectionately at him as she took her seat.

"What are you doing here Ryuuzaki-sensei? I thought you were back in Seishun Gakuen?" Ryoma asked, curious.

"I was… before I learned that you'll be studying high school here together with your previous teammates." Ryuuzaki-sensei replied, clasping her hands on top of her desk.

"I promised Nanjro that I'll be with you, helping you in tennis the way I did with him… anyway, it would really be fun, like it'll be the old times." Ryuuzaki-sensei stated with an air of nostalgia.

"Sure… right, like the old times." Ryoma bowed his head, hiding his face in shadows. He smiled sardonically at himself. Things wouldn't ever be the same…. Will never be like back then. Gone was his innocence…. His passion….. His life. He's not the same Ryoma who left years ago. Things have changed… and it's so fucking hard trying to make a mask that would make others believe otherwise!

Ryuuzaki-sensei, ignorant to Ryoma's inner turmoil, continued. "You're just right in time, we're having the Inter Ranking Tournament, I'm sure no one would object if the Prince of Tennis would participate" she smirked.

======================MD=======================

"Kkkyyyyyaaaaaaaa!!!"

"Ryoma- sama!"

"Watashi no oji-sama!"

Ryoma closed his eyes, massaging the bridge of his nose. He could feel a migraine coming. The shouts and screeches from his abnormally large fan girls are starting to grate not only at his nerves but to others as well. The other Tennis Club members were having a fight with the president of the fan club to maintain silence because others couldn't concentrate on the game, what with the deafening shrieks and squeals.

Unfortunately, the tennis club members were losing the fight badly. And so, the chaos ensues.

Ryoma tried to block out the noise and to concentrate on the game, gripping his racket tightly.

"One set match, Echizen versus Mikage. Echizen to serve!"

Ryoma sighed, looking bored at his opponent at the other side of the court. He was the skittish type of player who obviously just started playing. A pity that he'll already lose his first official game.

Ryoma gripped the tennis ball, applying pressure before tossing it in the air. He bent his body backwards a little and then springing like an uncoiled wire, hitting the ball with almost like a gunshot sound.

"Oi" Ryoma pointed his racket at the umpire who seems to be frozen. "Ball count"

"Errr… fifteen- love, to Echizen!" the umpire declared, shaking from what he saw.

"Whoa! Isn't that the twist serve?!" the crowd cheered and muttered to themselves.

"Yes! But it seems to be stronger!"

"I haven't even seen the ball! All I heard was a deafening bang and the ball just appeared at the other side of the court!"

Ryoma fished another ball from his pocket and started dribbling it. He stole a glance at his sempai who were watching his game. All he could see where excitement from them. No doubt from the prospect of seeing some incredible moves and how much he evolved in the course of three years.

Despite himself, he could not summon the same excitement and thrill he use to feel whenever he plays tennis. It's neither a passion anymore nor even a hobby. Through the years and after the things that happened to him, tennis was reduced into nothing more than an obligation for him to run after that damn yellow ball and hit it. If he had a choice, he would have burned everything he owned that's related to tennis.

Ryoma served an easy ball, just so that he's opponent could hit it back and they could have a rally. It would totally be unbearably boring if he has another service ace.

"One game to love! To Echizen!"

Having had enough and at the same taking pity at his slowly panting opponent, Ryoma decided to make it quick. He won all his serving games and took points without even using any of his famous techniques.

"Five games to love!"

Mikage now seriously tired and frightened at Ryoma's incredible skills and stamina, served the ball as much as his battered body can. Ryoma took his time before hitting the ball back at the base line. It was so slow he estimated that the serve is no more than 40kph.

Everyone was already expecting the ball to go in but what surprised them was that the ball didn't bounced. It skidded on the ground and it left marks on the green surface, whiffs of smoke rising from the friction between the floor and the ball.

"15-0!"

After almost less than a minute and without breaking any sweat, the game finally finished.

"Six games to love! To Echizen!"

"Kyyyyaaaaaaa!!!! Ryoma- sama you're the best!"

"Tennis no oji-sama!!!"

Ryoma tuned out the noise while his opponent was busy lying face flat on the floor, semi- conscious in exhaustion. He exited the court only to be bombarded by his fans and admirers only to give them one of his death glares. Ryoma marched towards the score board to give his points and look up his next opponent, hopefully, a more competent one.

Fuji… Syusuuke…

Ryoma almost grinned, hiding it behind his stoicism. Oddly enough, he was not enthusiastic about playing a challenging game, he had enough of it in the past years…. He felt thrilled to be in the presence of the tensai.

"Looks like we're next, ne, Ryoma?" a voice whispered near his ear, sending chills down his spine.

"Aah" Ryoma glanced at his sempai, who was leaning close to the side of his face. At such proximity, even Ryoma couldn't help but to agree that Fuji really looked effeminate and beautiful.

"Let's have a good game, see you later in the court" Ryoma shook himself from his daze, mentally berating himself for spacing out.

"Of course" with that, Ryoma walked away, wanting to clear his head before his next game with a pair of cerulean orbs watching his every move.

========================MD========================

Ryoma snap his can of grape flavored Ponta open, impatient to have the familiar taste of his favorite beverage in his mouth. He was still relishing his drink when Ryuuzaki-sensei's voice reached him.

"Ryoma!" the elderly coach was jogging towards him, her cell phone flipped open in her hand.

"Do you need something sensei?" Ryoma asked, putting his can of Ponta away on a bench for the moment.

"Ryoma, Nanako was calling you for the last fifteen minutes but you weren't answering, that's why she called me instead." She explained.

Ryoma frowned "I was in a game and I haven't checked my phone. Why is she calling?" Ryoma accepted the offered cell phone.

"I think it's important, by Nanako's urgency"

Ryoma placed the phone on his ear and turned his back politely on Ryuuzaki-sensei.

"Moshi moshi, Nanako?"

"Ryoma- san! I've been trying to reach you since a while ago!" Nanako's usually sweet voice was laced with worry.

"Gomen, I just finished a game…." Ryoma bit his lip "… did something happen?"

There was a pause, as if Nanako was debating whether she should have really called after all.

"It's Oba- sama…. She arrived a while ago"

Ryoma drastically paled, his hands trembling. He took a deep breathe and tried not to show his feelings in his voice.

"I thought Oka-san won't arrive till next week? What brought the change?"

"She's suppose to be here next week but she deliberately disobeyed his doctors and flew here as soon as she can. I told her that her body still can't take the long travel and that she should have—!

"What happened Nanako?! Did something bad happen to oka-san?!" Ryoma gripped the phone tightly, his voice rising.

"No! I mean, she doesn't want to disturb you that's why she doesn't want me to call you… but I know that you would have wanted to know. She fainted a while ago but I already called the doctors and she's already resting. I'm really sorry to disturb you Ryoma-san, you can already see her after your afternoon practice—

"No" Ryoma breathe out heavily, already firm on a decision.

"Ryoma- san?—

"No" Ryoma repeated calmly "I'll go see her right now. I'll be on my way."

"But—

CLICK

Ryoma ended the call and returned the phone to Ryuuzaki-sensei who's looking at him anxiously.

"I'm sorry Ryuuzaki-sensei but I need to go home" Ryoma bowed "I know you might already have an idea on the cause of this so please let me cut the practice."

Ryuuzaki just sighed, knowing that in the end, Ryoma will have his way "How about your game with Fuji?"

"'I'll forfeit"

======================MD=======================

"FORFEITED?!"

The previous Seigaku team exclaimed with the exception of Tezuka, Inui and Fuji. Tezuka was too dignified for such an act while Inui was busy scribbling on his notebook. Fuji, on the other hand was seething.

"Yes, something suddenly came up and he needs to go immediately" Ryuuzaki-sensei explained in her office, massaging her temples. "Though he technically lost to Fuji, he'll still be part of the regulars, albeit he'll only be the second best in his block."

"Still…" Momoshiro wondered, his brows creasing "it's not the gaki's personality to back down… he hates losing in tennis!"

"SSSSShhhhhhhhhhh" Kaidoh agreed.

"What Momoshiro said was true" Tezuka added "there must be an important reason behind Echizen's action."

"Ne sensei, do you know why?" Everyone chilled upon hearing Fuji's melodic voice. They knew that Fuji was looking forward their match and anyone would be piss to discover that your opponent forfeited.

"That would be for Ryoma to answer" Ryuuzaki-sensei faced the setting sun in her window and sighed heavily. "Let's just talk to him tomorrow."

=========================MD=====================

Ryoma took the bus towards his new house, tennis and his match against Fuji temporarily out of his mind. He never had a second though in forfeiting the game. He would exchange tennis for his mother anytime and anywhere. The only remaining reason why he still continues to play tennis is because of his mother. Tennis only reminds him of his dark past, of the hurt he long ago buried deep in the recesses of his mind. Though he longed to throw his racket against the wall… he wouldn't.

His mother would surely hear about it if he suddenly quits tennis. He can't let her see him giving up. He needs to be strong for her, to show her that he didn't change and they could still continue living the way they used to. Yes, it was pathetic but it's the only thing he can do. So much has changed in his mother's life…. The death of Nanjiro… her sickness… the company. The only constant thing in her life is Ryoma… and if her only son started crumbling…..he wouldn't allow that!

Ryoma pushed the double French doors open, tossing his things to the awaiting maid. She ascended the grand staircase and walked briskly towards the masters' bedroom. He stood in front of the double oak doors with gold tendrils to catch his bearing. He was about to open the door when he heard voices.

"Where's Ryoma Nanako?" the weak voice of Rinko Echizen filled the air. It was obvious that she was having hard time breathing and that speaking alone tires her.

"She's still in afternoon practice oba-sama… but she'll be home soon" Nanako replied softly

"Help me on the chair Nanako… I don't like him to see me always on bed…."

Ryoma turned the knob slowly and pushed the door open, only enough so that he could see without being discovered.

The scene made his heart lurch. Her mother was trying vainly to settle on a wheel chair, her arm slung around Nanako's shoulder as she helped his mother seat on the special chair. His usually elegant and strong mother couldn't even have the strength to stand.

Ryoma turned his head away. When the rustle was done and everything was quiet again, Ryoma pushed the door open and strode firmly towards her mother.

"I'm home oka-san" Ryoma kneeled in front of her mother and placed his hand on top of hers.

Rinko smiled softly, looking frail "Did practice finished early?"

Ryoma shifted his gaze. He can never lie to her with a straight face. Rinko just smiled, running her fingers in her son's luscious hair.

"Don't skip next time, I'm fine—

Rinko was interrupted by a series of coughs. Ryoma immediately got the glass of water on her bed side table and placed it in between her lips, urging her to take a drink.

"See, you're not fine….. you should have obeyed the doctor and didn't travel" Ryoma scolded her softly, placing the glass back.

"But I wanted to see you Ryoma….."

Ryoma bit his lips, willing the tears that started to gather in his eyes away. He needs to be strong.

"Me too… but you shouldn't overexert yourself" Rinko was so light that Ryoma could already lift her easily. He placed her back on bed and pushed the covers up to her chin.

"I'm the mother here Ryoma but you're the one who's tucking me in bed" Rinko teased with a soft smile.

Ryoma just smiled and placed a kiss on top of her head. He stayed beside her until her eyes fluttered close, clasping her hand tightly against his.

He needs to be strong….. for her.

a/n

hope you like it and please do review!