This story seems to take forever for me to update. I wonder why that is. It's not that I don't like the plot or think it's hard to find ideas for the next chapter. It's a conundrum.

This story is the perfect one to update for Halloween. What with it's creepiness and what not.

Disclaimer: I would gladly own the crappy English dub as long as I could own a piece of it. Sadly not even that's gonna happen. Although if it did, I would make them redo it and then finish the series so I could get every episode on DVD.

Chapter 3: Nightmares and Lunches (weird name)

He was running. Running and running and running. He didn't know why he was running or where he was going, he just knew he had to get away. Away, from something. Something was chasing him. He didn't want to look back. He really didn't. But something in his mind wanted him to. Forced him to. So he did what his mind and body wanted him to do.

He looked back.

And froze.

He couldn't see much. It was as if a mist had covered the entire area. But he could see something. Just one thing. This thing shone brightly and cut through the fog.

Eyes. Deep cerulean eyes. They sent an electric shock through Ryoma's body and made him stop in his place. Whatever owned those eyes was getting closer. He had to run. He HAD to. But he couldn't. It was like his muscles refused to listen to what his brain was saying.

Finally, the thing was upon him. It leaned in and whispered in his ear, its eyes flashing all the while.

"Found you."

Ryoma jumped awake, sweat rolling off him and his breathing labored. The eyes flashed in his head one last time before fading into his memories.

Ryoma shivered. This was the first time in a long while that he had had a nightmare. Karupin, who was lying next to him, meowed and rubbed her fuzzy face against the freshman's arm. Ryoma smiled appreciatively and picked her up, setting her down gently in his lap. Karupin meowed in confusion.

"Arigato, Karupin. You always know how to make me fell better." Ryoma then glanced at the clock and jumped. "Shit! I'm gonna be late. Why didn't Momo-sempai wake, me, up? Oh yeah, that's right. Momo-sempai's missing." Ryoma dazedly got ready and left his house, not even stopping to eat breakfast.

-Mada Mada Dane-

The tennis courts were abuzz when Ryoma arrived. Everyone was talking about Momo's strange disappearance. Ryoma tried to block out the whispers and eventually it just dulled into white noise. Easily fading into the background.

"Minna!" Tezuka's deep voice rang over the courts, "I know you're all worried about Momoshiro, but the first tournament is next week so we have to continue with practice. Minna, Yudan sezu ni ikou!"

Ryoma sighed. He knew he shouldn't be moping about. He had to think positively. Momo will probably come back in a few days, grinning stupidly and saying how he was off cooling his head and he wanted the freshman to carry his stuff. Yeah, that was definitely what he was doing.

-Yudan Sezu ni Ikou-

Practice had gone off smoothly though everyone's spirits had been lower than usual. And changing in the locker rooms had an odd empty feeling without the loud arguments between the two juniors. Ryoma was just reaching for his bag when he felt arms drape around his shoulders.

"Mou, Ochibi, it's so lonely with out Momo. Come get ice-cream with me later, nya? Please?" Eiji, just the kind of person Ryoma needed right now. Someone that lifts your spirits with just their presence.

"Okay, your treat though." Eiji hugged him tightly and then scampered off to class. Ryoma smiled lightly and grabbed his bag. A clank of wood hitting the ground made him turn his head, wondering what it could be. A blue cloth covered bento box lay on the ground. Footsteps made him turn his head towards the door.

Fuji walked past, eyes opened and seemingly piercing his soul. Those eyes, they were like his nightmare. Deep and electrifying. Fuji smirked and walked out the door.

Ryoma shivered. Had it just gotten colder or was it just him?

-Saa-

Classes were filled with whispered rumors, and strange guesses as to what could have happened to the upperclassmen. Ryoma was glad to escape all that by eating his lunch on the roof. He pulled out the blue bento box and began eating. He should have been more wary but after everything's that's happened lately, his brain was fried.

Besides, the food was good if not a little spicy. And with the warm sun beating down on him, he began to feel drowsy. Laying down and closing his eyes, Ryoma drifted off to sleep.

*Fuji*

He did it. His angel was pleased. He ate every bite. He liked his food. That must mean Ryoma wanted him to make more lunches for him. Yes, that was it. And he's letting me see him sleep as a reward for getting rid of those pests.

Walking over to my angel, I bend over and brush the hair away from his eyes. He's so beautiful. Gently brushing my land over his face, I pick up my box and leave. I'll leave him a note later to be more wary. With his beauty, he should be more careful of stalkers. Good thing I came along. He can rest peacefully.

*Normal*

Ryoma was startled awake by the shrill sound of the bell ringing. Ryoma looked around and saw kids flooding out of the building. Looks like he missed classes again, he thought to himself. Oh well, not like he doesn't already know most of the stuff already.

Well, at least he could still make it in time for tennis practice, and that was the important thing wasn't it?

Quickly standing up, Ryoma rushed from the roof and out the school towards the tennis courts. He pushed away the feeling of forgetting something in favor of worrying about the number of laps Tezuka was sure to give him for being late again.

Throwing open his locker, Ryoma changed swiftly and ran out of the room, not noticing the small piece of paper underneath his clothes. Tezuka's deep voice rang out over the courts, confirming Ryoma's fears.

"Echizen, 20 laps!"

Ryoma pulled his cap down in embarrassment as everyone in the club looked at him, "Che."

-Nya-

Practice was over and Ryoma was lightly smirking as Eiji ranted about the unfairness of stupid Ochibi and his superior tennis skills.

"Mada mada dane, Kikumaru-sempai."

"Nya, Ochibi, you're so mean!"

"Eiji, let's just forget about it, besides, I thought you and Echizen were going out for ice-cream again." Oishi placated his doubles partner, hands up in an I surrender position.

"Oh Yeah! Come on Ochibi nya! Hurry, hurry!"

Ryoma sighed. "Hai, Kikumaru-sempai. Just wait a minute." Ryoma absentmindedly pocketed the piece of paper and the two left. Eiji babbling about nothing and talking about anything while Ryoma listened, only imputing when a question was asked, it was…nice.

And when he got home, Ryoma didn't even remember the note he had in his pocket, too tired from "talking". Quotes because by his definition, it was a lot of speech, by any normal person's standards, he was near silent.

Ryoma snuggled under his blankets hugged Karupin, and fell asleep.

-Ii Data-

My god, I hate this chapter. It. Sucks. I wish I could re-write it but I fear that'll just make it worse.

By the way, never try watching Prince of Tennis in the background when writing something. You get absolutely nothing done. I swear, every five seconds I looked up at the screen. Not that I didn't enjoy watching it, but I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen.

Please review. You can even say this chapter sucked because I know it does. Although if you don't say that, I won't hold it against you. *wink, wink*

P.S. Always check what volume your MP3 player is on. I had mine all the way up and then forgot. And then I put it in my ears and…screamed when Aoi Tamashii started blasting through the head phones. Suffice to say I pulled them out really quickly and have now learned to always check what level it's on.