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 5
Ryoma didn't go to school the next day and the day after. After a week of absence, the whole Seigaku regulars started to worry about their Ochibi.
"Nyaaa… Ryuuzaki-sensei, what happened to Ochibi? Why is he always absent?" Kikumaru moaned while sitting on the ground after having run ten laps in five minutes.
"I don't know… he hasn't called to excuse himself for the days he was absent" Ryuuzaki-sensei sighed, massaging her temples.
"Maybe he's sick? What if no one's there to look after him?! He could have—
Oishi's hysterical babblings were interrupted by Taka's suggestion, who thankfully enough already abandoned his racket after finishing the laps.
"Well why don't we visit him? That way we can talk and see him"
There were murmurs of agreement before Fuji's melodious voice cut their musings. "I already visited their house" Fuji voiced out, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"You did?!" almost everyone shouted in disbelief. They hadn't expected Fuji to do something without telling them especially when it concerns the whole team. When did Echizen and Fuji get close anyway that Fuji would visit the Echizens alone?
"What happened Fuji?" Tezuka's stern voice resonated above the chatter.
For the first time they saw a baffled looking on the tensai's face, his elegant brows creasing a little as he leaned on the wire linked fence at his back. "I don't know. When I arrived at the house, it was abandoned. By the looks of it, no one seemed to have lived there for a couple of years. When I asked the monk in the temple near the place… he said something that confused me"
"What did he tell you Fuji-sempai?" Momoshiro asked, gulping.
"He said that the house originally belongs to the Meino family… not the Echizen" Fuji replied.
"Meino? Isn't that Nanako-chan's surname?" Momoshiro asked dubiously.
"Ssshhh… then the Echizen must have been renting or borrowing the house from Nanako-san's family" Kaidoh commented, fixing his green bandana.
Fuji nodded "I thought so too… but the monk said that the house was never used as a residential home… even back when we were in Junior High. Apparently, the Echizens used the house just as one of their cottages. They have another home they're really residing in"
"You mean Echizen's really living in another house not only now but since three years ago?" Oishi asked.
"Then why don't we just look up ochibi's real address so that we can visit him already?" Kikumaru pouted, impatient to see the team's Ochibi,
Tezuka quickly fixed his glasses before turning towards Ryuuzaki-sensei with a serious expression. "Sensei, would you let us check Echizen's files in the school? We could locate his current address there."
The Seigaku regulars shifted their attention expectantly at their coach, waiting for her permission. Ryuuzaki-sensei heaved a great sighed, feeling down knowing that she can't give them what they want so badly.
"I'm sorry boys but that's impossible"
"BUT—
"Sensei!—
"What do you mean—?
"Shut your mouth right now before I decide to assign you a hundred laps!" Ryuuzaki-sensei shouted in irritation, feeling an upcoming head ache. This successfully shut any complaints the tennis players had. It's completely rare that their coach would snap at them and not just use her usual eloquent talks.
"You can't see Ryoma's record because—" Ryuuzaki looked pointedly at them "he doesn't have one…. Yet. Ryoma just arrived recently and his files from America hadn't arrived yet. And even if it's here, I'm not the right person to turn to when it comes to those kinds of things."
"Demo…" Kikumaru wailed, flailing his hands in a bout of tantrums "how can we see Ochibi?! Someone must know where he lives!"
The Seigaku regulars glanced at each other. Kikumaru's outburst lead them in a startling realization: they virtually don't know anything about their kohai. They thought they knew where he lives, which actually turned out that they do not. The closest one that they've converse with Ryoma's family is his cousin Nanako and that's nothing more than just a brief greeting. They don't know anything significant about Ryoma outside the tennis courts. Sure they know about his addiction for his pet cat Karupin and his favorite drink Ponta… but a person's life can't possibly be compose of just those things… even if that person is Echizen Ryoma.
This discovery made the atmosphere dreary, as if someone draped a blanket of melancholy all over them.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Ryoma's okay… we'll just have to wait when the brat will suddenly decide to go back to school and ease our worries" Ryuuzaki-sensei tried to lighten the mood, giving them a soft yet tired smile.
You better go to school tomorrow Ryoma… or else I won't be able to stop them in causing havoc when their curiosity remained unappeased, the old coach thought, looking up the slowly setting sun.
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Dexterous fingers shifted through legal papers, placing his signature on it after meticulously reading over the documents while his other hand remained occupied in cradling the phone near his ear.
"Yes, I assure you that our company's best draftsmen would be appointed to supervise the construction to the beginning until its very end." Golden cat-like eyes continued to scan the credentials laid before him as he rested his back against the expensive upholstery.
"Then we in return would expect your cooperation not only in pecuniary aspects but in man power as well…" a head crowned with silky emerald tinted locks nodded, the speaker intent on making his point cross. "Our lawyers could meet for the outline of the official partnership of our company"
After a minute of further confirmation and setting of dates, the young man finally heaved a quiet sigh and settled down the pen on the oak desk, regarding the person on the other line with courtesy.
"Yes, of course Hawatari-san, I would absolutely look forward to our actual meeting for the signing of—
"GAKI!" An angry voice echoed against the Louise XII inspired study room as an imposing figure pushed the double doors open with a bang that almost shook the walls.
The gaki, as the intruder so nicely put it, almost dropped the receiver in surprise. He quickly turned his body away from the door and murmured a couple of apologies and promise of further up dates before putting it stiffly back on its cradle with a resolute click.
"Do you know who I'm talking—?!
A livid tenor hissed before it was rudely cut off by a charade of inquiries.
"I don't care who you're chatting with on the phone! What are you doing for the past days Ryoma?! You haven't been in school and Nanako said you've been coup up in this dingy study of your doing God knows what! You haven't eaten nor slept regularly and opted to shut yourself in here!" the intruder walked briskly towards the great desk slamming his hands on the surface. "Does aunty knows about this unhealthy schedule you've been following for a couple of days?!—
"KEIGO…" Echizen Ryoma hissed lethally with his hands clasp before him, his molten lava orbs drilling ugly holes at his friend who suddenly realized the trouble he would find himself in.
"Do you know who I was talking to before you unethically interrupted us?"
"Ummm… I'm sure whoever you are chatting to is not that important—
"Not important to you monkey king, but it is to me! That chatting as you put it, would drastically play a vital role in the future of the Echizen's Chains of Corporation!" Ryoma countered angrily, his face clearly showing fatigue and frustration. "That person I was talking to was Hawatari Konouchi!"
"Hawatari Konouchi?" Keigo blanched disbelievingly. "The founder of the most powerful and influential Hawatari Hotel Corp.?! They're Japan's top hotel chains and are still expanding rapidly in Europe and America!"
Ryoma glared acidly. "I'm glad you know how dire that conversation was that you stupidly interrupted" Keigo almost flinched. He knew as the son of a powerful corporation how important it is to establish partnerships on other firms.
"Ryoma, I'm sor—
"Forget it" Ryoma sneered irritatingly, standing up from his seat in elegant flourish. He headed for the door when Keigo caught his arm in a loose grip.
"I didn't mean…"
Ryoma quickly disentangled his arm, turning his back on his friend. "Look Keigo…. Can you just leave me alone….. even just for now? I'm not feeling particularly that well. I want to be alone…"
Keigo bowed his head and must have made a mutter of agreement because Ryoma just nodded and proceeded to leave Keigo alone in the room, feeling miserable and guilty.
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Ryoma tossed agitatedly on his king sized bed, his silk sheets tangling themselves in wiry knots all over his body. Pillows were strewn all over the carpeted floor and beads of sweat were glistening on his alabaster pale skin.
Ryoma moaned softly in discomfort, almost delirious in his sleep. He felt so hot…. No burning. The cool wind blowing from the opened window did nothing to alleviate the smoldering feel of fires licking his skin. His body aches all over and his head feels like an thousand needles were splitting his skull into two.
Ryoma coughed pitifully. His throat hurts and his chest feels heavy, making it hard for him to breathe.
I can't be sick… Ryoma thought amidst the haze he was in. He already needs to go to school or else his mother would notice his absence… he still has a meeting with the share holders and board of directors of the company to finalize his taking over… he would have to talk to Hamilton-san for the business' drafts… no, Ryoma cannot afford to be sick. He has a lot to do and he won't let all the hard work his parents cultivated crumble just because he's not feeling well.
Ryoma groggily opened his eyes… his pink lips parted a little to let wisp of air enter his trachea. Hell, that's what he feels like. He struggled to sit up and rested his perspired back on the bed frame, already wheezing from the effort of such an easy action. He put his arm over his eyes in an attempt to settle his raising heart and after a second turned his head on the bed side table to see a glass of lukewarm water beside two white pills. Near it rested a piece of paper with a neatly scrawled message:
I'm sorry for my insensitivity a while back… I know you might come down with something afterneglecting your health for days so I prepared your medicine for you.
P.S. I know you hate taking pills but you need to drink it if you want to continue living with that hectic schedule you have.
Ryoma chuckled but was cut short when violent coughs rocked his frame. He quickly took the pill and downed it with the glass of water, grimacing at the horrible ordeal. He quickly settled down and gaze mistily at the gold ornate ceiling.
Ryoma knew that he had been harsh towards Keigo… he had just been concerned for Ryoma's welfare after all. But he was setting that conversation for ages and when Keigo just barged in ruining his plan… he just snapped. Even early that morning, he was already having a headache and was grouchy….. Keigo was just really on a bad place at the wrong time.
Ryoma sighed drowsily, feeling the effects of the medicine. His last thoughts before succumbing to the blissful unawareness was too have a talk with the monkey king…
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"Ryoma-san! Ryoma-san!"
The continuous attempt to wake up a certain feline humanoid accompanied by a loud banging on the door proved to be futile as the room remained quiet and undisturbed.
Inside, Ryoma was crunching his eyes in pain as the incessant ruckus happening at the other side of the door added to the throbbing in his head. It was not as bad as last night, thanks to the medicine Keigo gave him, but it still caused him to winced, especially when aggravated.
"I'm… I'm up!" Ryoma tried to shout but it came out as a raspy croak as his throat was still raw from coughing the whole night.
He staggered out of bed, flinging the sweat soaked sheets aside and gradually unhinged the locked. As soon as the lock was removed, the door suddenly flung open, making Ryoma stagger back and landing painfully on his butt.
"What are you doing?! You're gonna be late!" his cousin Nanako hurried through the room, collecting his uniform and tie from the closet and laying them down on the unmade bed, oblivious to Ryoma's predicament. "Go to the bathroom and prepare yourself Ryoma-san, breakfast's ready an hour ago and I'll be the one to prepare your things—
Nanako spared a glance at Ryoma only to see him dozing off and sprawled on the floor.
"What are you still lazing off on the floor!" Nanako exclaimed hysterically, rushing to her cousin's side to shake him off of dreamland. But as soon as she touched Ryoma's heated skin, she immediately started to panic.
"You have a high fever Ryoma-san! You should be in bed!" Nanako struggled to help Ryoma on his feet. "You should have told me!"
As soon as Ryoma got into his foot, he politely shook off Nanako's hand and stood without any help.
"I'm fine Nanako, it's just a slight fever, if it gets worse, I could always go to the school's clinic" Ryoma dismissed with a shake of his head. "I can't miss anymore school."
"But…." Nanako looked hesitant.
"I can take care of myself Nanako" Ryoma tired to ease her doubts and made a step towards the bathroom to start his morning rituals.
"Alright… the chauffer's waiting when you're ready…" Nanako couldn't help but still worry. Ryoma just have a tendency to be reckless when it comes to himself…
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Ryoma trudged towards the tennis courts for the afternoon practice all but looking like a zombie incarnate. The past classes where hell for the young prodigy. He's headache just escalated because of the screams coming from his official fans club for something as simple as breathing. No amount of water intake could rid him the sore and scratchy feeling in his throat and his body felt abnormally heavy to him.
He all but scrambled to get in time for his second period as he already missed the first, that's why he had no time to drink his pills before going to school. After feeling really sick after the morning classes, Ryoma planned on visiting the clinic to get some medication but exhaustion prevented him of this endeavor and instead found himself trying to catch some much needed sleep on the rooftop with nothing but his usual uniform as a protection against the cold winds.
Thus, a snappy, grouchy and bad tempered Ryoma with his usually impeccable hair and uniform now disheveled opened the locker room of the tennis club with a cloudy face.
"What happened to you gaki?!" Momoshiro yelped upon seeing Ryoma's battered appearance. This outburst drew everyone's eyes on Ryoma, who only got more annoyed by the unwelcomed attention.
"Not now Momo-sempai…." Ryoma muttered tiredly, passing his sempai before getting on his assigned locker. He quickly slipped off his soaked uniform despite the cool weather and put on his customary Seigaku shirt and shorts. He bent down to get a hold of his racket when a sudden bout of dizzy spells hit him, making him sway dangerously.
"Are you okay Ryoma?" Cool hand steadied him and Ryoma almost leaned in to the touch, which felt good against his warm skin. "You look sick"
Ryoma mentally shook himself to clear the haziness in his mind. He stepped back from the lean support and saw Fuji's cerulean orbs laced with something that confused Ryoma. Not wanting to delve deeper into something that could only contribute to his already growing headache, Ryoma muttered a quick thank you and headed for the tennis courts.
Everything he saw was doubling in his vision…. Ryoma's not sure if he's already staggering or even walking on a straight line because all he could see is a dwindling path…. The sun beat down mercilessly on him, making rainbow colored spots dance in his sight….
Vaguely, he heard someone call his name to play in Court C. The sound came as if it was shouted the other end of a very long tunnel. Ryoma shut his eyes to gather his bearing and took three quick breathes before scampering towards his next match.
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"One set match Echizen, to serve!"
Deafening cheers from his fan girls were heard even back in the school buildings as Echizen vs. Momoshiro match started. Everyone was concentrated, their eyes trained on the two players, their anticipation making those who are even having their own matches to stop and see the battle between the two regulars.
Everyone except one of the players himself.
Echizen Ryoma.
"Oi! Echizen! Don't just stand there, serve the ball already gaki!" Momoshiro shouted from the other end of the court, waving his racket in excitement.
Ryoma mentally scolded himself for dozing off and took his stance. Though worn out, he still managed to bring his trademark smirk in place, chiding his sempai. "Mada mada dane, Momo- sempai!"
"Just serve the ball gaki and let's see who's still have lots more to work on!" Momoshiro growled, gripping his racket in both hands as he too took his stance.
Ryoma just smirked and started to bounce the yellow ball for leverage. He gripped the ball tightly once again to add pressure before tossing it in the air. Like the previous match, Ryoma bended his back and looked up the ball, waiting for it to fall lower when he was suddenly struck with dizziness.
From one, Ryoma abruptly saw two to three balls. Never one to back down, he gritted his teeth and used his enhanced senses to hit the ball. A loud bang was heard as the ball touched the other side of the court but unlike last time, his opponent, Momoshiro managed to return the twist serve, though albeit a little clumsily.
"There's something wrong" Fuji frowned, watching the match outside the wired fence. "That serve's speed and strength was reduce to almost half of what he did in his last match with Mikage"
"Nyaaa… is there something wrong with Ochibi?" Kikumaru commented with a worried expression. "He's been acting weirdly even in class"
"All we can do is just watch the match and try to find out what's happening" Tezuka replied with a creased brow, looking intently at his appointed pillar.
Kuso! Ryoma thought as he accidentally lobbed the ball after Momoshiro hit his Jack knife. His sempai quickly took the opportunity and jumped a big leap, preparing to do his favorite move.
"Dunk Smash!!!"
Ryoma quickly run into position in mere seconds despite his condition and firmly planted his feet on the ground. The yellow ball came whizzing closer to the court floor when Ryoma's racket met it halfway.
Ryoma gritted his teeth as he fought with the acceleration of the ball and gripped his racket tighter. He pushed all his weight forward to return the ball when suddenly, his knees buckled beneath him but not before he managed to pushed his racket forward and returned Momoshiro's Dunk Smash that rendered the spectators, even his opponent breathless.
The ball hurtled pass Momoshiro in a streak of yellow, landing right exactly on the base line. The ball rolled away and everyone could see the dark smudge accurately on the white line. If it landed centimeters from where it did, it would have been out.
"Fifteen games to love! To Echizen!"
"That was great—!
Cheers were suddenly cut as everyone watched horrified at the fallen figure of the prince of tennis.
"ECHIZEN!!!"
"OCHIBI!!!"
Ryoma laid half- conscious on the floor, vaguely aware of the people running towards him. He almost smirked at himself. He should have really listened to Nanako and just stayed at home.
'Ryoma!!!'
Huh…? Ryoma wondered, slowly slipping from his consciousness. He must be dreaming… It's just not possible. Ahead from his coming sempai, he could see someone running in his direction that should not even be in Japan.
'Ryoma!'
Ryoma's head lolled and caught a flash of a familiar worried face before he finally embraced the awaiting darkness.
I must be really sick…
a/n
First of all thanks to all those who reviewed! I hope you like this and please don't forget to review again c;