Thanks to everyone for your continued support – whether a guest on FanFiction or not.
Chapter 8 – enjoy (voting still open)
*Oomph*
"Omigosh, I'm so sorry! Are you ok?" Ruka bowed her head at the boy who'd landed on his butt just moments ago. They had both turned the corner, both seemingly rushed, and had crashed into one another.
The boy who was rubbing his sore spot cringed a little but stood up and offered a hand to Ruka.
"I'm fine. I was the one who wasn't looking anyway. I'm at fault here." The tall, silver haired boy smiled kindly.
"I'm alright too. I'm sorry, we've only just met, but can I ask you a favour?" Ruka said, not taking the hand, leaving the boy a little confused.
"Hn? A favour? Sure, directions, money? I probably won't be much help though." The silverette scratched the back of his head.
"No! Nothing like that... It's just, could you help me back into my wheelchair?" Ruka pointed to the flipped over transport and smiled.
"Ah, sorry! I didn't even realize!" he set the wheelchair upright then bent to pick up Ruka bridal style (A/N: is there really any other way? :P)
"Thanks ummm?" she stopped short, looking at the mysterious boy questioningly.
"Ootori. Ootori Choutaro." He stuck out his hand again.
"Echizen Ruka, but call me Ru." She shook his hand, knowing they'd become good friends in the near future.
'Echizen Ruka? Where have I heard that name before?' Ootori thought, vaguely remembering her name being mentioned almost week ago after prefectures. Ruka's voice stopped him from thinking any further.
"So what brings you to the grand gates of Rikkai Dai? I didn't know we had this kind of uniform." She joked, gesturing to his attire.
"I'm running an errand for my tennis club. What about you? You seemed like you were in a rush."
"Tennis club? Which school do you play for? Assuming you are a junior high schooler, even if you are quite tall." She ignored his question and put her hand to her head, then stretching it out, not even reaching up to his chest as if measuring their height difference for emphasis.
"Eh? I'm from Hyotei." His eyebrows shot up.
"I see… well since you're here, let me show you to the tennis courts." She offered.
"Sure, why not?"
xxx
"Oi! Gen-chan!" Ruka waved to Genichiro who was currently looking after the freshmen, still trying to teach them to hold their rackets properly.
At the sound of Ruka's voice, the fukubuchou turned around with the slightest look of relief before he reverted back to his usual stoic demeanour.
Ruka stopped in front of him with a smile on her face.
"Ne, you're frowning again." She punched him playfully in the arm.
Despite her innocent appearance, she could actually pack a punch. But the great Sanada had too much pride and did his best not to flinch. He ignored her comment and instead turned to Ootori who was standing awkwardly behind her.
"Hyotei, what business do you have here?" he said.
"Atobe wants to ask for a 'friendly' practice match before the next match in two weeks."
"Hn. Fine, when?" Sanada was quick to agree, knowing it would teach his team not to slack off just because they'd already won prefectures.
"Is Sunday ok, at Atobe's mansion, 10 o'clock? He said he'll have lunch prepared for everyone."
"Fine."
Ootori turned to Ruka who was watching the freshman swing their rackets quietly.
"Ru, you come too, ne? I'm sure Atobe won't mind. Anyway, I've got to go, but it looks like we'll be seeing each other soon, 'kay?" he waved goodbye before disappearing.
There was a moment of silence as Ruka continued to stare at the other freshmen and Genichiro looked far off into the distance.
The longer Ruka stared, the more annoyed a fiery freshman became. Finally, the boy stopped swinging his racket and stared straight back into Ruka's eyes.
"You got a problem? Disabled girl." He yelled, causing Genichiro to snap out of his reverie. Beside the boy, his friend snickered.
"Yes, I'm disabled. Got a problem with that?" she said back, catching the boy off guard. Ruka was aware she'd been staring, but it didn't mean he had the right to bully her for no reason. However, she didn't find the need to become upset or angry.
"Of course! You can't walk. Why do you even watch tennis, if you can't play?" the boy retorted back, unaware of the furious glare the fukubuchou of Rikkai was giving him.
Although furious, Genichiro decided he'd wait and see what Ruka would do in such a situation. He was surprised he was actually curious, since things like this never really mattered to him and the boy would usually already be running laps.
"Well then, what about them? They most likely don't know how to play, the rules, the best techniques and forms." Ruka pointed to the fencing around the courts where fan girls were watching and sending envious glares at Ruka, who was sure to be killed later.
"I-uh…" the boy stuttered.
"TARUNDORU!" Genichiro finally decided to cut in, "Be quiet and keep swinging, or Yanagi will be here with juice and you'll be running 50 laps!"
The boy paled and shut up, swinging his racket in time with the others again.
"Ruka-san, go tell the others about Sunday will you?" Genichiro tried not to frown as he faced her.
"But… I want to tell them something first." She pointed to the freshman.
Genichiro sighed before agreeing, still not willing to admit her advice on tennis usually worked.
"Freshmen, listen up and pay attention." Genichiro clapped his hands, causing the said to stop swinging their rackets.
"Alright, no offense to you guys. I know I'm not the best person to listen to and all." Ruka stopped and looked at Genichiro pointedly, who turned away and mumbled another "Tarundoru."
"But your form is horrible, here." She continued, snatching Genichiro's racket.
"Swap rackets with the person next to you and hold it out to each other like this." She demonstrated.
"Then use you dominant hand and hold it out to the racket like you're about to shake its handle." She paused as the students followed.
"Take it as if you actually are shaking someone's hand then swing using the motion of your whole arm, not just your wrist, some of you who do that are feeling a slight pain from doing that right? Keep doing that, you'll probably never play tennis again." Her voice cracked in the slightest at that last sentence, but Genichiro didn't miss it.
"And make sure you follow through with your racket." She smiled, happy with their progress before turning back to the fukubuchou.
"Well, Gen-chan, you can take over again. I've had my fair share of tennis today." She lied, "I'll go meet up with the others and tell them about the thing." She then continued, leaving in the direction of the regulars who were currently on the ground, panting from the stamina training they'd just done, Bunta looking like he was about to die.
"Senpai-tachi!" she called out, waving.
A chorus of "Ruka, and Ru-chan." was heard as they greeted her.
"You guys are having a 'friendly' match with Hyotei on Sunday, 10 am at… I think, was it Ahobe's mansion? Something like that." She said cheerfully.
Akaya cracked up laughing, clutching his stomach and the other smirked – even the oh-so-gentleman Hiroshi cracked a smile.
"What's so funny?" Ruka pouted but giggle when she found Akaya's laugh infectious.
"It's Atobe…" Jackal pointed out.
"A-hah, I knew it sounded like Ahobe!" she exclaimed, causing Akaya to start his laughing fit again.
"I've gotta go! See you all Sunday!" Ruka waved, already a few meters away, her hand clutching onto her phone.
Marui sighed, "That Ruka, she's so…" he trailed off, thinking for a word.
"Spontaneous?" his doubles partner offered.
"Mm, not really what I was thinking, but my genius skills have been working too hard lately, so I may as well literally take your word for it." Bunta popped his gum.
xxx
"Mum, can you drive me to the Tokyo street courts?" Ruka asked as they hit the highway towards their home.
"Sure, itching to watch tennis? Aren't your friends with the tennis team?" Rinko questioned.
"I feel like a little less seriousness in the game I guess. You know, just having friendly competition." Ruka replied.
Rinko nodded briefly and stopped at a red light.
"If you see Ryoma, tell him not to eat too many burgers – we're having Japanese tonight."
"Will do." Ruka promised.
"So, Hun' how's school?" Rinko picked up a motherly topic.
"It's been good, Sei-chan's still in hospital. Gen-chan let me help the freshmen today too. Oh and I'm going to watch their practice match on Sunday. Oh that reminds me! I don't even know how to get there!" Ruka babbled. She pulled out her phone and silence filled the car, the sound of button being clicked only to be heard.
From: Echizen Ruka
To: Sanada Genichiro
Gen-chan, do you know the address of the mansion place?
Ruka sent the text and waited for a bit, looking at her number of unread messages to change from zero to one. 'I guess he's still a bit busy, he'll get back to me later.' She thought, flipping her phone closed as the turned onto a busy street around the corner of the courts.
Rinko pulled into an empty parking spot and helped Ruka out of the car.
"Be home by seven alright?" she smiled down at her daughter.
"Okay, love you." Ruka leaned forward to kiss Rinko on the cheek, "see you later."
Ruka waved as Rinko drove off, and then turned around, heading to the street courts.
She was nearly pushed off her wheelchair when something whizzed past, a red head hot on its trail.
"Oi, bike thief! I'm in the rhythm!" the red head called, pumping his arms furiously, keeping up with whatever he was chasing after.
Ruka regained her balance and laughed.
"Well that was interesting." She murmured to herself.
When she arrived at the street courts, everyone there was on the ground in exhaustion. She saw a girl being held by her arm by a boy with a mole under his eye. The girl had honey brown hair in the style of a bob and was squirming to get out of the boy's grasp. A tall, muscular boy stood next to him, wearing the same uniform. (When Ruka saw Ootori earlier, he wasn't in his tennis uniform.)
"Let me go!" the girl exclaimed. Ruka was about to come out from the corner she was hiding in, but two other boys came running up, both deemed familiar.
"Let Ann-chan go!" the red head exclaimed. The boy next to him nodded in agreement.
'Momo-senpai?' she recognised, 'was the other boy chasing after him?'
The conversation continued and the girl – Ann reached up to slap the boy with the mole, but he caught her arm, catching everyone off guard.
"Momoshiro." The red head fumed, "care to play doubles with me?"
"Hn, that's my specialty…" Momo laughed.
The four still standing boys headed onto the court and set up for a match. Ruka then wheeled over to the girl, worried.
"I saw what happened, are you ok?" Ruka tapped the girl lightly on the shoulder, making her jump slightly.
"I-I'm alright." she said surprised.
"Ann-chan right? I'm Echizen Ruka." Ruka smiled, causing Ann to nod, and then her face turned into recognition.
"You're related to Echizen Ryoma right?" Ann exclaimed, "I'm from Fudomine, and I'm really sorry about what happened to his eye!" she bowed.
"A-ah, it's alright, there wasn't any serious damage." She said, making Ann sigh in relief. They turned their attention back to the match when…
"Kabaji, stop." The boy with a mole sat stood up from his position on the ground, "You, what's your name?" he points to Momo.
"I'm a sophomore at Seigaku, Momoshiro Takeshi. And you?" Momo said proudly.
"Hyotei – Atobe Keigo." Atobe walked off the courts with Kabaji in tow.
"Hey! Wait, Fudomine, Kamio!" the red head introduced.
"I never asked you." Atobe said bluntly.
'Hyotei, Atobe?' Ruka vaguely recalled hearing his name earlier in the day.
Atobe was about to walk away when he suddenly stopped and turned towards the two girls.
"W-what do you want now?" Ann shouted as he walked towards them.
He merely shrugged her off until he came upon Ruka. He grabbed her chin lightly and lifted her face so it was now facing his.
"Ahn and such a beauty graces Ore-sama's presence? I'll take you instead." he said seductively.
Ruka said nothing as she looked straight into his eyes. They stayed like that for a while before Atobe pulled away.
'Such an aura… and that stare, it's enough to pull anyone in.' Atobe thought, doing his best not to shudder.
"Kabaji, I want research. By tomorrow." He announced, snapping his fingers.
"Usu." The man of little words complied.
xxx
From: Sanada Genichiro
To: Echizen Ruka
Meet at the school gates at 9 o'clock. Atobe has arranged transport.
Ruka closed her phone and snuggled into her blankets. That had to be about the tenth time she'd checked the message, just to make sure. Ryoma was usually pretty serious about tennis, and the match at the street courts the other day wasn't too laid back either. So tomorrow she'd finally get to see some people play a few friendly matches.
xxx
"Ohayo, minna!" Ruka waved from the car window. Her mum had dropped her off like any other school day, except that it wasn't a school day.
Jackal saw Rinko setting up the wheelchair for Ruka and immediately rushed forward, asking if he could help out in anyway.
"Ah, can you help get Ruka out of the car?" Rinko smiled politely.
"Don't worry I'll do it, Jackal." Hiroshi stepped forward.
"Hmm, being the gentleman again are we. I'll do it." Renji opened his eyes the slightest.
"Wait! But I want to do it." Akaya complained.
"Huh? What about me? You never considered me!" Bunta stepped into the argument.
"Che, Marui, your already carrying the weight of your own fat. Are you sure you can even carry the extra weight?" Masaharu smirked, "Of course, I should be doing the honour." He then mimicked Hiroshi's voice.
"Oi, Masa-chan, I take that to offense you know!" Ruka suddenly appeared next to them in her wheelchair, trying to look mad, but gave up and smiled instead.
"Hn," Masaharu poked her cheek, "See? It's bouncy; imagine all the extra weight you have from all that fat." He teased.
Ruka cocked her brow at him, making everyone laugh.
"Wait… how did you even get into the wheelchair?" Bunta asked in realization.
Ruka pointed a finger to the stoic boy leaning nonchalantly on the wall.
"EH?! NANI?"
Renji pulled out his notebook and started scribbling furiously and Hiroshi pushed up his glasses while the others interrogated Genichiro.
Ruka took this as her chance and opened her phone. Taking a picture, she saved it and sent it off to the one missing person…
From: Echizen Ruka
To: Yukimura Seiichi
Gen-chan looks so embarrassed! We'll visit soon. Get better! :)
(click to view image)
"I-is that… a limo!?" Akaya pointed down the road, and sure enough, a grand black car pulled up to the curb.
The chauffeur got out and opened the door for the regulars. He also pulled out a ramp so that Ruka didn't have to get out of her wheelchair again.
He then turned to the group,
"Young Master has said to it that I take the limousine to pick you up for your convenience. He also requested that Miss Echizen Ruka is to meet him in the lobby, while as quoted by Young Atobe – 'take the rest of the darn rats out to the courts.'" The chauffeur looked nervous yet serious as he said this, "Miss Echizen Ruka, ladies first." He politely ended, opening the door wider to let her in.
The others piled in after her, mumbling things about "That damn Atobe." or "What does he want with Ruka?"
The complaints faded as they started arguing over who would sit next to Ruka, not noticing that the engine has already started and they were driving away from Rikkai. The limo suddenly went over a speed bump, causing the few standing to stumble and fall.
"Pff— " Ruka desperately held in her laugh, only to fail.
Jackal and Bunta joined in when they realized the situation, and Masaharu had a big smirk on his face.
"EW, EW, EW, I got Yagyuu-senpai germs!" Akaya jumped up and hopped around the limo, almost knocking over Ruka and earning a glare from most of the regulars.
Yagyuu stood up and wiped his mouth, clearly feeling discomforted.
"Akaya and Hiroshi – kissing in a limo." Renji muttered, his notebook appearing out of nowhere.
Genichiro sighed and turned to look out of the window, his gaze lingering on Ruka for a few moments, watching her laugh, before he turned away. Of course, Renji did not miss this intimate action, and scribbled it down as well.
'Probability that Genichiro likes Ruka – 100%... but then again,' Renji looked down at his notebook, 'same goes for the others, and I can't deny that I'm also developing feelings for her.'
xxx
"Welcome to the Atobe mansion." Several maids greeted them at the gates.
The group stood in awe and looked up at the towering building.
"Flashy, huh?" Ruka said, the rest nodding in agreement.
Three maids walked up to them and bowed politely.
"Miss Echizen Ruka, I am to escort you to the lobby to meet Atobe-sama." One maid said
"Would you gentlemen please follow us to the tennis courts, where the Hyotei regulars are waiting for your appearance." The other two said in sync.
The all nodded, but looked at Ruka worriedly before heading off in a different direction to Ruka's retreating form.
Ruka sat in the centre of the lobby and waited, and waited, and waited.
"The young master will see you now." The same maid that had escorted her came back and stood at the edge of the room.
Grand doors opened, and a boy with a mole under his eye, wearing the same jersey from that time Ruka had been at the street courts.
"You!" Ruka shouted, "Ahobe!"
Atobe's vein almost popped and he would have gotten someone to take her away at that instant, but no, he was the great Atobe.
"It's Atobe. You should be awed that Ore-sama willingly let you into Ore-sama's life." He said like he was royalty.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Ore-sama should not be ignored!" Atobe almost lost it when Ruka looked at him blankly, keeping silent.
He then realized what the girl was dressed in.
"Ore-sama demands you change this instant. A fair maiden like you should not dress like a commoner." He ordered.
"Yadda. Make me." She glared at him, and once again, Atobe found himself drawn into her eyes.
He snapped out of it when he heard a shout from outside. "Marui-sama! So COOL!" (Yeah, I think you should know who it is…)
"Fine." Atobe took the jug of water placed by the phone and tipped it on her, "Now you have to. No one opposes Ore-sama." He smirked, victorious.
"You mole face! This was my favourite t-shirt." Ruka was definitely angry now, and no one, messes with an angry Ruka.
"It's a beauty spot." He argued, turning away when he realized her shirt was now see though and clinging on to her tightly. He called one of the maids over.
"Bring her to the dressing room immediately, and I prefer you to use a dress. Make sure it's that dress." He whispered to her, in which the maid nodded and moved over to deal with the struggling, fuming Ruka.
xxx
"KYAAA!"
A scream familiar to the Rikkai regulars came from deep inside the mansion. All of their heads snapped towards the building as they all thought one thing.
'RUKA!'