Aniki
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis nor am I making a profit off this story. I write for my own pleasure. Nor do I own any brands mention herein; it's all just to go with the storyline.
Summery: Ryoma and Ryuuka Echizen are born to be tennis players. Devastatingly, Ryuuka is diagnosed with a blood disorder. Playing in Japan, Ryoma worries over his dying sister in USA. Or will she live to join him at Seigaku?
Pairings: Golden Pair, Inui-Kaidoh, Momo-Ann. (for now)
Note: Ryoga does not exsist!
Pairings! Vote! It will influence my choice:
RyomaxYukimura -2 (workable and cute!)
RyomaxAtobe -2 (Amusing. I see lots of torture...)
RyomaxSanada -2 (Potentially hot! I see a bro-sis dating the vice-cap)
RyuukaxYukimura -2 (easier to write and very cute fluff)
RyuukaxFuji -1 (I like protective!Fuji)
I can work the story around these pairs. Tell me what you think as I need to start planning... But note that it will only be a slow build up, as these people aren't even sixteen yet...
Chapter Dedication:
RivalAdmirer18 : Okay, first off thank you for a very inspiring review! You questions made me want to write this chapter. Ryuuka is right-handed dominant but is ambidextrous like Ryoma. They are both Single players, all-rounders with a focus on attacking. She doesn't use data tennis like Inui but more of a tennis sense and instinct that has been developed. Between the two, Ryoma is the more talented at tennis but Ryuuka has the drive to become better every day. But, I like to think that training everyday and being close to someone would make them a good doubles pair; being twins is a bonus. Good as the Golden pair? Well, wait for the match! Oh, Ryuuka looks alot like Ryoma but more feminin. Yes, they will be mistaken for the other! (More funny that way) But Ryuuka looks like a girl and Ryoma looks like a (pretty) guy.
Chapter 2
Introducing Echizen Ryoma, the Brat.
Ryoma sat and stared into space. He should be working or practicing or something. But he couldn't bring himself to get up. His mind was whirling at a hundred miles an hour.
Ryuuka's operation is scheduled for the day of the tournament. The operation is a last resort. I will have to play doubles with Momo-sempai. Ryuuka said I should be more social and make friends. Momo-sempai and Kikimaru-sempai have been trying to be my friends. And the trio with the fangirls. Ryuuka only has kaa-san for support in America. The transplant is the last chance at a normal life. The tournament is coming up and I'm expected to perform at the level of a Seigaku regular. Ryuuka isn't here.
Why do I play tennis?
To defeat Oyaji? Why? He irritates us and needs to be shut up, He refused to teach Ryuuka and Sarah-obaa-san stepped in to teach her. To play with Ryuuka and our family? To win? To improve? Why? Why? Why?
The silence offered no answerS. Ryoma sighed and laid his head down. "I want Ryuu," he murmured as tears attempted to escape their prison beneath his eyelids.
~0~0~0~
The phone rang as Nanjiroh picked his nose. He sighed when he realised that Nanako wasn't there to get it. Opening one eye, nanjiroh eyed the phone sic feet away. It would mean him getting up and leaving his recious magazines for a moment. He sighed.
"RYOMA!" he yelled witha smirk, "OI!" Najiroh frowned when he got no answer. Grumbling, he got up and moved towards the phone.
"Moshi moshi," he said, scratching he stomach. Internally he wondered were the Demon cat was. At least the Hell hound wasn't here to chew his precious treasures!
"Nanjiroh! It's Sumire. I need some information that Ryoma told me to ask you," came the voice.
Nanjiroh winced and got the shivers. It was the old hag. "What, hag?"
"Where's your daughter, Ryuuka? I was hoping for the girls team to get some new blood..."
Nanjiroh froze. The old hag was asking about Ryuuka only now? She didn't bother before. He winced at Ryoma's reaction. He hated it when anyone forgot about Ryuuka, especially when she fell ill.
"Ryuuka is still in America. Rinko is with her. She's undergoing a bone marrow transplant to hopefully counter her sickle cell anemia. If it doesn't work... she may never be able to play tennis again. She asked Ryoma to come to Japan so he could atleast play."
Silence met Nanjoroh's statement. He heard a sigh. Sumire felt old. She now knew why Ryoma had turned colder than ice when she questioned him.
"When will she be in Japan?" Sumire asked tiredly. She had to deal with a bratty, frshman prodigy going through a family crisis involving his twin who was halfway across the world. Not good.
"When she's well enough to travel," came the simple reply. Sumire swallowed. "Don't," came Nanjiroh's voice again, more serious than she had ever heard it, "Don't let it get out. Ryuuka doesn't want the press to find out."
'Ryuuka must be in quite a bad state then,' Sumire thought grimly. There was nothing more to say but her goodbyes and put down the phone.
Nanjiroh stared at the phone as he heard the dial tone It was, sometimes, hard to believe what was happening. A very big part of him didn't want to believe it.
'Kami-sama. I haven't been the perfect father but I can't lose my daughter. I can't.'
~0~0~0~
It was one of those days. She felt like hiding from the world. Ryuuka sat in her standard hospital bed as she stared into her handheld mirror. Now she had never been particularly vain, considering she was often mistaken for her brother, but she had to admit to herself that she looked like shit.
She was paler than she had ever been, and she looked sickly. She could trace her veins along her arms, hand and feet. And she was skinny, not in a good way! Ryuuka sighed as she stared mournfully at her image, her collar bone sticking out to emphasize how much weight she had lost. Her hair hung limp and lacklustre. She mused that maybe the fire in her eyes dimmed as well.
Looking at her image she watched as a tear crept from her eye. It slipped down pale cheeks and disappeared from her sight. Then it all came. She could not stop herself from sobbing, shudders racking thin shoulders.
'I don't want to die! It's not fair! Why me? Why can't a live? I'm... I'm scared!'
The word kept repeating in her head. Some made it passed her lips, she didn't know. All that existed in her word was the pain of her situation.
'I don't want to be strong anymore!'
She didn't notice when worried hands tried to comfort her and soft voice tried to calm her down.
'I don't want to be brave!'
She couldn't breathe as her body gasped for air. She didn't notice.
'I don't want to die...'
In the end, Ryuuka Echizen was injected with a sedative to force her to calm down. Her breathing and heart beat had become irregular due to the breakdown. She was under watch for the next 48 hours. And Rinko EChizen had to be called in.
It was a bad day but one that didn't surprise any of the nurses whom had watched the young girl deal with the news of her own impending death calmly and reassure her family. There was only so much a person could take.
~0~0~0~
Ryoma sighed as they did another day of hellish training under the two sadists: Tezuka and Inui. And, of course, under threat of the vegetable Inui juices. Ryoma could feel the bile creep up his throat at the mere thought of it. Thinking about it, he should add the coach to the growing lists of sadists. And Fuji for liking it!
Gulping back water, Ryoma shuffled to the change rooms as they were dismissed. Having a quick shower, which did wonders for his aching muscles, he got dressed. His muscled burned pleasantly, reminding him of the training he underwent. Maybe, he was a sadist too.
Ryoma's stomach grumbled, breaking his thoughts. 'Food,' Ryoma thought and he nodded to himself as he walked to the nearest fastfood joint.
Walking, he thoughts drifted. Ryuuka was having the operation that basically her life as she knew it, depended on. It was a last shot. It was on the day of the tournament. He, Ryoma, wanted to be there with her, but couldn't as he had to be here in Japan to play for his team. He didn't like that. Oh, and there was something that she was hiding from him; something big enough to make this operation seem minor.
Ryoma swallowed as he stomach dropped as he remembered everything about his sister's disease he had learnt from Google. Extreme pain, damaged blood vessels, lung damage, organ damage, breathing difficulties... The list went on. So many things could be wrong or could go wrong. That could be wrong.
Ryoma sighed as he walked into MacDonanlds. He glanced at the menu and contemplated what to get. Someone bumped into him from behind. Ryoma turned around to give the said person a tongue lashing about manners and personal space.
"Oi," came the familair voice, which Ryoma found to be Momoshiro from Seigaku.
Ryoma stared at the taller senior and sighed again. There was just something about the guy that pissed him off. Thinking about it, Momoshiro sounded like his baka father.
Before their conversation could really progress a girl interrupted them with her questions. She was around his height and rather plain. Though she hinted at having decent knowledge about tennis. More importantly, there was this fire, small but still there, in her eyes; hiding behind the smirk that played on her lips. Just like Ryuuka.
Ryoma's eyes softened. This girl was just like Ryuuka. Just before she was about to leave, it was Ryoma who called out, "Wait!" She turned towards him, waiting. "Echizen Ryoma. May I ask your name?"
"You can call me, Anne-chan," the girl replied with a smile after she got over her shock. Unknowingly, two girls were having a mental breakdown by the windows.
"Why?" Tomoko partially screamed, "Why is Ryoma-sama interested in her?"
Sakuno, on the other hand, looked like she was about to burst into tears. 'Waaah!'
~0~0~0~
Ryoma sighed as he stood and stared at the pair of players in front of him. They were telling him he had to play doubles..with Momoshiro. Ryoma frowned and glared, he didn't play doubles with anyone but Ryuuka. Before Momoshiro could utter a word, Ryoma walked away.
"I don't play doubles."
He left three shocked players behind him as he made his way to the vending machine. He needed Ponta.
"EH?" Momoshirou exclaimed, "Echizen!" He called after his kohai. The green haired boy just kept walking. The doubles pair just looked at each other.
"Some people just can't play doubles," the one murmured to the other as the tall boy chased after the smaller one.
Getting his Ponta, Ryoma noticed someone waving at him. He blinked, 'Anne-san?' Ryoma shrugged and walked over as he opened his can.
"Echizen-kun! I didn't expect to see you over here. You play doubles?" she asked enthusiastically.
Ryoma merely shrugged, "We were looking for some courts to have a match. We didn't know that this was doubles only. I don't play doubles, only mixed doubles with my twin sister."
"Sister? Then why don't you call her over," Anne said with a smile, "I'm curious to see you play. Your sister must be pretty good."
Ryoma smiled slightly. Anne really reminded him of Ryuuka. She had that fire about tennis. "Ryuuka is in America right now. She's an excellent tennis player," Ryoma said, eyeing the tennis match happening on the court, "You're a lot like her, Anne-san."
"Really?" Anne asked surprised, before smiling again, "I would love to meet her, even play her sometime."
Ryoma smiled slightly at her and nodded, "I'm sure she would too when she comes to Japan."
"Echizen!" Momoshiro's voice cut through their conversation as he approached the pair.
"Oh, hello again," Momoshiro greeted Anned before turning once again to Ryoma, "I thought you won some doubles tournaments with your sister?"
Ryoma glared at the boy before nodding as he drank his grape ponta.
"So why do you say you don't play doubles?" Momoshiro asked angrily.
"I don't," Ryoma stated bluntly as he met Momoshiro's stare unblinkingly, "I only play mixed with Ryuuka."
Momoshiro stared at the freshman before shaking it off. The boy could be scary when he wanted to! "Well," Momo siad, scratching the back of his head "Shall we look for another court?"
Ryoma sighed and looked around. It was busy and highly unlikely that it would clear our anytime soon so that they could play singles. There was one option left...
"We can use the court at my house," Ryoma stated and got a shocked look from Momoshiro. But it was Anne who reacted first.
"You have your own court?" she asked, shocked.
Ryoma shrugged, "My family plays a lot of tennis. we've always had our own courts."
In the meanwhile, Momshiro got over his shock and was grinning like a madman. "Well then," he said, "let's go!"
Ryoma nodded and said goodbye to Anne, who waved them off with a smile before returning her attention to the doubles match.
~0~0~0~
Sumire Ryuzaki stared at the piece of paper, mentally cursing it with every fibre of her being. She hated this part of her job. She knew she should not have left it to the last minute but it was an important and difficult choice.
The piece of paper next to it gave her some relief, but not much. It was ironic that five lines of neat kanji tormented her so. She sighed and massaged her forehead.
Breathing out, she looked at the all-important team list for the tournament that was happening the next day. She needed a line up. Tezuka had given her a suggested list and for that, she was really grateful.
'We have Doubles 1, that is always the golden pair. Singles one will be Fuji as Tezuka won't be paying the first match,' she summarized to herself, 'but the problem lies with Doubles 2. We don't have a second doubles team, only singles players: Taka, Kaidoh, Momoshiro and Echizen. A Kaidoh-Momo air was asking for trouble, but a Taka-Momo pair had some virtue. Then there was the wild card: Echizen. Could the brat play with another member of the team? He was a champion doubles player after all.'
'And Tezuka wants him in doubles with Momo. They get along, apparently,' Ryuzaki considered as she tapped her pen on her desk, 'I too am curious to see his limits.'
'Maybe we should try this...' she thought as she penned down her final list. And a small part of her prayed that she wasn't making a mistake...
~0~0~0~
Her laptop beeped as she logged into her e-mail, indicating new messages. Ryuuka frowned as she realised it was from Ryoma. She glared at the e-mail. The idiot had left her waiting for two hours for the customary chat. And he didn't show. 'He better have a bloody good explanation!' she thought vicious as she clicked on the e-mail.
I'm SO sorry, Ryuu!
I spent the afternoon (after practice) arguing with one of my teammates (wow that sounds weird) over who was most likely to play Singles 3. It was Momoshiro. He challenged me to a match. We ended up at a street court where they only played doubles. I refused, naturally and we played on the temple grounds instead.
My only excuse is that I lose track of time. I did beat him 6-3 in the end. He's pretty good, and he's a power player. Good Dunk Smash.
I also ran into a girl who reminds me quite a bit of you. Haven't seen her play yet but she's got the data side down. I think you would like her...
I don't know when you will read this but please call me when you have a chance BEFORE your op. Please?
Love,
The Good twin.
~0~0~0~
Ryoma's eye twitched when their dear coach announced the order for the first match. He had to count backwards from twenty not to throw what would be a childish temper tantrum.
He had to play double, with Momoshiro. Not that he had anything against his sempai but he did not play doubles with anyone but Ryuuka. Ryoma's gold eyes narrowed as he stared down his coach. He wanted an explanation and he wanted it now.
Ryuzaki-sensei winced slightly at the rage barely hidden in the stare directed at her. Most of the team, bar Tezuka, were shocked at the order. But Echizen looked furious.
She cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention, "The first match means that all five matches must be played. It would be in our best interest not to let anyone gather data on us. That is why Tezuka is not playing Singles 1. But we must not show weakness! I had some trouble drawing up the order as we have a majority of singles players."
She rounded on Ryoma and met his gaze evenly, "I remembered that you are in fact a doubles champion. I'm relying on you, Echizen, to show your experience and bring us a win on our weakness slot: Doubles 2."
Ryoma glared and let out a soft sigh. Pulling his cap down, he muttered, "Fine, but don't expect miracles. The only person I've ever been able to pay with is Ryuuka."
~0~0~0~
"Doubles 2 will now begin, Seigaku Momoshiro-Echizen and Gyokurin Izumi-Fukawa. Please take the courts."
Ryoma just stared at the two players that were taunting them. It spread like wildfire just before the match that they haven't played a doubles match before. Not together, at least. And it was just their luck that it was the pair from the night before.
"You would have won if it was singles," the one said. Ryoma smirked and lowered his head. There was no one to shout at him for provoking his opponent, so it was time for a little fun.
"That's for sure," Ryoma said, smirk still in place. Momoshiro threw his younger teammate a look. "But it's a lot more fun to beat you at your own game. "
And the match began. The Gyokurin pair had the service. Ryoma got into position, knees bent and ready for action. His racket merely felt like an extension of his own arm. He smirked, this match was theirs.
It was a weak serve as he chased it down, But Ryoma knew better... It was to buy time for an approach. Throwing a quick glance at the pair, Ryoma noted it was a double approach.
"Don't be fooled," Ryoma said sharply to Momoshiro, "There are plenty of holes. Individually they are weaker than us!" And he returned the ball sharply, forcing an attempt at a backhand return. The ball hit the net.
Love - 15.
And the match continued. The Gyokurin pair grew frustrated as they couldn't outplay the pair. Then again, Seigaku as a seeded team. Watching the play, the Gyokurin payer smirked as he found the weakness. They weren't a doubles team and the freshman himself said that he didn't play doubles. So, he hit it down the middle, forcing both players to run to get the ball.
Ryoma scowled. The Gyukurin pair was good and definitely had better teamwork than they did. Even Ryoma had to acknowledge that. Momoshiro was all over the place and it wasn't like Ryoma was not making allowances to his playing style. But they wouldn't win at this rate.
Two games later, they were tied one a piece. Ryoma frowned as he eyed his smirking opponents.
"Momoshiro, come here," Ryoma said as they got ready for the next game.
"Oi, Echizen, have some respect to your sempai," Momo said as he walked towards the shorter male.
"Technically, I am your sempai in doubles," Ryoma remarked casually.
Momoshiro looked stunned for a second but said nothing. As soon as he got close Ryoma started talking quietly.
"We can't keep playing like this. I can read your play but you can't read mine. So, we are going to try Australian formation. You get to the net in the middle and keep low. Guard the front. I'll take the back and cover. If you can't get it, I will and you move in the opposite direction. Individually we can beat them. If you're moving back, call. Say 'Momo' and I will call 'Ryu' if I move forward," Ryoma said sternly.
Momoshiro sighed and scratched his head as he thought about it. "But you're doing most of the work..."
Ryoma glared at him, "I have never lost an official doubles match, and I don't plan to start now!"
"Okay, okay," Momo said, moving to the front as Gyokurin prepared to serve. Getting in the middle, Ryoma took guard at the back. Their positions brought murmurs from the crowd.
"Oooh! Look Oishi, Ochibi and Momo are trying the Australian Position!" Eiji said excitedly.
Oishi looked worried, "But they haven't trained!"
And the match continued. Surprisingly, this worked. Momoshiro was an aggressive player that attacked at the front, usually overpowering their double approach. Ryoma read Momoshiro's every movement and acted accordingly. He was playing his usual game, but this was the only way to win. IN fact the only way to win while playing his style was when he was playing with Ryuuka. Usually she made the concessions.
It ended rather quickly from there, 6-3 to Seigaku. Ryoma smirked at his opponents after they shook hands. They seemed quite stunned at their performance.
"I thought you didn't play doubles? It's obvious you're very experienced!" the one asked.
Ryoma pulled his cap down. "I don't. I only play mixed doubles," was all he said as he walked off court. Momoshiro laughed at his freshman, waving farewell to his opponents.
Stepping off court, a woman stopped Ryoma. Speaking in Japanese, despite being a foreigner, she said, "Ryoma? Ryoma Echizen! I'm Jane McKey from Tennis Star, USA. I would like to ask you a few questions? Why are you in Japan? Are you planning to return to the USA for the Invitational International Team? Are you now playing doubles? Where is Ryuuka, your twin? Are you two planning to defend you individual and doubles titles as the American Junior Champions and the British Junior British Champions?"
Ryoma gave the woman a hard look before answering, "No comment." And walking away.
"Ryoma!" she said again as she followed Ryoma towards the team, "Please, everyone in the tennis community in USA wants to know what happened and where you are and why!"
"No comment."
"Is because you are bored with the lack of challenge in America that you came to Japan?" she tried again.
Ryoma shuffled through his tennis bag and pulled out his phone, "No comment."
"Ryoma please," the lady begged now, "I came all the way to Japan to track you down! Are you aware of the places your sister and your are invited to take on the International Team?"
Ryoma paused but said nothing. She sighed.
"I think is would be best you leave, Miss," Ryuzaki said to the lady as Jane eyed Ryoma's teammates. "You are not to bother my team."
Her eyes widened as she took in the team uniform and the even taking place, "So you have left USA and now attending a Japanese school. You're on their team so you probably not coming back for a while..."
"Miss," Ryuzaki said sternly.
Jane sighed and nodded. Walking away, she called her contacts to get her information on Ryoma's family. Ryuuka wasn't with Ryoma, it seemed. She would investigate this new school. There was a story here, she could smell it. Why would two of the best players leave America for a country that gave little to no chance of going pro? Was it because their father hailed from Japan? Or maybe a new training regime? She would find out....
"It would have been better if you said nothing," Ryoma said quietly as he clicked away on his phone, "Reporters are like dog's. You have just given her something to sniff about."
Ryuzaki looked at Ryoma like he grew a second head, much like the whole team.
Ryoma closed his phone, done whatever he was doing, "I know from experience."
~0~0~0~
Ryoma sighed as he watched the match with a lazy eye. They were still on the doubles matches. He was the sub and it annoyed him. He came to play and the old woman put him in doubles and then a sub. Maybe his father was right about her...
"OI! RYO! Answer your damned phone before I die of old age! It's me, Ryuu! Answer your phone! If you don't I swear I will kick your ass so god damned had that you will feel it next year." came a random voice yelling in English.
"Ryo," the voice whined, "answer already! I really, really need to talk to you! Ryoma Echi-" and the voice was cut off by Ryoma answering.
"Ryuu?" he asked anxiously, ignoring the curious stares his teammates were giving him. Hearing the reply, a smile blossomed on his lips, giving the team a real reason to stare. Inui was scribbling furiously in his notebook, muttering.
"No," Ryoma replied in English to whatever was said, "I have time now. I'm the substitute for this match. Everything okay? When's you surgery?"
Golden eyes dulled as Ryoma dropped his gaze, his hands trembling, "You're going to be prepped now?" he asked in a soft voice.
Blue eyes opened as he listened to the English. From their group, only he and Tezuka could follow an English conversation. Tezuka was also listening in with trepidation.
"Are you going to be okay?"
'It's most likely it is the sister,' the tensai thought as he eavesdropped unashamedly, 'and she's going for an operation.'
"Everything's going to be fine, you'll see," Ryoma said quietly, "and you will be in Japan in no time. You know I would be by you if you'd let me come..."
There was a loud response from the other side and gold eyes flashed in anger, "A stupid match in no reason for me to be half way across the damn world when you're risking your life in surgery!"
There was another angry reply and Ryoma let out a frustrated sigh but he kept listening. He suddenly snorted, "Of course I won't lose my match. Stop worry over such inane things," he said with that cocky smirk.
But it was soon wiped of his lips as Ryoma's eyes dulled once again, "Tell mum to phone me with the news as soon as she knows. I'll see you soon."
"Chat later, Ryuu," Ryoma murmured before he hung up. He stared at the phone for a moment before standing up and leaving.
"Eh?" Momoshiro said as he watched his junior walk away, "Echizen! Where do you think you're going!"
"Leave him." It was Ryuzaki-sensei that spoke, getting everyone's attention, "His sister is going for an operation today. That was probably her."
Everyone, except Tezuka and Fuji, looked at her with wide eyes. They had only heard snippets of the illusive younger twin and the reactions she entice from their cold teammate made them all the more curious.
"Is it wise you let him play today?" Inui questioned out loud, "though it would prove invaluable data of how Echizen handles stressful and emotional situations..."
"Saa," Fuji replied, eyes opened as he watched the retreating figure, "it will be an interesting finals. He is scheduled to play singles."
No one knew what to say as they thought about it.
~0~0~0~
Ryoma winced as Oishi tried to stop the bleeding. He would admit to himself that he had walked onto the court with an inattentive attitude. He winced again. If Ryuuka found out about this she would have his head. Under normal circumstances, he would have realised what was happening; he would have picked up on 'The Spot'. But he played recklessly as he mind was focussed on what was happening in America.
And he now was paying the price. He had to admit it was quite a move, using those alternating shots to cause his muscles to spasm and lose his grip. Unfortunately, his racket hit the net's pole and rebounded, injuring his eye.
But every move had a weakness, and logically that weakness would be... Ryoma was quiet as Oishi treated his wound, thinking about how to break this technique of his opponent's. There was the familiar stirring of an exciting match.
Oishi was worried as he tried to stop the bleeding. He wasn't worried that they would have to concede the match, Tezuka was next and no way he would lose. But the freshman's wound was on his eye. It was a close call but thankfully the eyeball had not been damaged. But the bleeding wouldn't stem. Oishi bit his lips as he discarded another cotton swab and grabbed a new one to used.
"It's not good," Oishi finally admitted out loud. The team joined in the murmurs of the crowd. Momoshiro whistled as he picked up the pieces of the racket.
"Echizen, I'll put the piece in your bag," Momoshiro said, doing just that.
Ryoma sighed, "Momo-sempai," he said with a steel determination lacing his voice, "pull out my spare racket while you're at it. The blue one."
There were several gasps, the loudest coming from Ryuzaki girl. Ryoma growled, "I am a tennis player and I can still play. I would prefer it if you kept off the courts during a match, Ryuzaki-san."
It was then the umpire decided to speak, informing him that he couldn't play while bleeding. Ryoma looked at the man with one eye, and smirked, "Che." He wiped his cut against his sleeve. "There."
The man stared at him, shocked.
"Ryoma-kun," Ryuzaki called, exasperated. Ryoma walked to her. "Oishi, the kit please." And she fixed up his eye so it wasn't bleeding. Ryoma touched, somewhat shocked.
"It's temporary. It will last, at most fifteen minutes," she informed him. Ryoma smirked, "More than enough time."
Momoshiro walk towards him, racket in hand. He was stopped by Tezuka, who took the racket from him. Ryoma's eyes narrowed. He didn't know much about their captain, just that he was respected and outrageously strong. It seemed that Ryuuka was correct in that aspect but she also said he had been injured.
"Ten minutes," the tall senior said and Ryoma met his gaze. "Ten minutes or you will forfeit the match."
Ryoma took the racket with a smirk, "I'll do it in seven."
And he walked back on to the courts. This action caused the murmurs in the crowd to rise. He could practically hear them: there's no way the freshman pans on continuing. Ryoma just pulled down his cap and got into position.
His lost three points in a row but didn't react. The racket was light in his hand, but he was still adjusting to only using one eye. His depth perception was slightly off. The next ball, Ryoma moved forward and hit it. He made perfect contact as the ball sailed over the net. He quickly followed the return and a rally started. With every hit, Ryoma' smirk grew. His body had finally adjusted to using only one eye. That, and the movement of 'The Spot.' He lost that game.
Time limit: 2:11:95
"Your technique," Ryoma said with a smirk as he readied to serve, "is interesting but it has two weaknesses." He served his twist serve and it was returned.
"What?" Shinji exclaimed.
Ryoma chased it down and returned it sharply.
15 - Love.
Ryoma readied to serve once again, "I must apologise for not taking you seriously from the begining. My mind was elsewhere."
Shinji raced after the ball and returned it, glaring at the freshman.
"But now you have my full attention, "Ryoma continued as he slipped into his one-footed split steps to comfortable chase after the ball. The rally ended in his favour, again.
30 - Love.
40 - Love.
Game Echizen.
Shinji stared at his opponent. The brat just stepped up his game, again. But he could still win this...
Shinji served a slice serve and returned the shot with a top-spin. It was 'The Spot' again. But the brat was smirking as he ran to return the rally. Shinji's eyes widened as Echizen swapped hands before retuning the shot.
"You have never played against an ambidextrous player before. Weakness number one!" Ryoma said forcefully as he won the rally.
Love - 15.
Time limit: 3:32:57
Shinji frowned, "Then I'll make both your hands numb," he declared. Ryoma smirked in response as he returned the ball low.
Love- 30.
Love -40.
Game Echizen.
Time Limit: 4:57:32
It was once again Ryoma's serve and he smirked at he watched Shinji become more frustrated as he realised what weakness number two was.
Time limit: 6:58:54.
Game and Match, Echizen.
~0~0~0~
After the match, Ryoma scowled as he was forced to go to the hospital with Ryuzaki-sensei and her granddaughter. He didn't mind his coach but the younger girl annoyed him with her actions. She did not think like a sportsman, or sportswoman. She dared to enter a court during a match. That was extremely disrespectful, especially in an official match.
And she stared nervously at him while. It scared him slightly. He was grateful when she had to wait in the waiting area when he went to see the doctor. Were all girls that weak and hopeless? He never noticed before...
The pair dragged him to a sushi restaurant. Roma raised an eyebrow at this. But when he opened the door he was met with the chaos that could only be described as Seigaku. Despite all attempts at keeping away, the school grew on him.
Ryoma abruptly closed the door and turned to walk away. But before he could move, an arm caught him around the waist and pulled him backwards.
"Echizen!" Momoshiro's voice practically shouted, "where do you think you're going?"
Once inside the room, Ryoma winced at the noise. It seemed everyone was there, drinking and eating with cheer. Ryoma snorted; it was only a small victory. The first step to nationals. The part was a tad excessive for that.
Momoshiro pulled him towards a table, "Come and eat, Echizen! This is the best sushi in town!" Ryoma dug his heels and resisted. his caused Momoshiro to pause and look at him.
"I have to go home," Ryoma said with no emotion. Momoshiro laughed and mussed his hair.
"Don't worry, Echizen! I'm sure your parents will understand if you're out a little later!" Momoshiro said with a laugh and tried to pull him yet again.
Ryoma's hand clenched over his cellphone. The phone had not left his hand since the end of the match. Ryoma shook his head.
"I need to go home and wait for the news of the surgery. Oyaji will know," Ryoma said quietly as he calmly pulled his arm from Momoshiro's grip.
Strangely, it was Tezuka who reacted first, "Echizen," he said in the stern voice of his, "we wish your sister a speedy recovery. We will see you at training on Tuesday."
And with a nod to each other, Ryoma left in a fast walk. He was eager to get home. Leaving behind a groaning Momoshiro and silent Ryuzaki.
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"Nanjiroh?" the voice of his wife came softly through the phone. It was late, almost nine in the night. The operation would have gone on for over four hours, excluding the preparation and such. Nanjiroh looked at his tired son on the couch as he watched with large golden eyes. His cousin was sitting next to him, hands twisted in her lap. The three of them were waiting.
"Yes, Rinko?" he asked softly, praying for the best.
"She's out, anata," the tearful voice came, "she survived the multiple bone marrow transplants. It's in ICU for recovery right now. Ryuuka's alive..."
Nanjiroh let out a sigh of relief that had been sitting on his chest for the last week. He pulled the phone away from his mouth and looked over to the couch.
"She's okay. Ryuuka pulled through and is in ICU recovery!" he informed them, the smile firmly etched into place. The operation had been a huge gamble on Ryuuka's part. It was high risk with a low success rate; but one of the few options available for a cure. She insisted on taking it. That had been before they told her she couldn't play competitive tennis without having a heart transplant.
For the first time in a long while, Ryoma smiled without the hanging dread that always lingered in the back of his mind. Now they had to wait two weeks to see of the surgery was successful or not...
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Amira D.