Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of tennis or any anime/Manga that appears in this story

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of tennis or any anime/Manga that appears in this story. I will include my own characters and write information on them in the chapter they appear in.

A/N: Hi all I hope you like this I have been writing my stories on paper before improving them on my computer. I always change things and hoping that everyone will like it. Mika-chan.

Chapter 8: Confused?

Ryoma P.O.V.

As I came through I saw fuzzy images. I blinked a few times before realizing I was in my room. I leaned on one of my hands and looked at my clock. I saw that it was seven o'clock. I blinked a few times before heading to the door. I looked out and found the house almost quiet. I heard a soft humming coming from downstairs. I leant against the wall as I walked down the hall way. I got to the bottom of the stairs and into the kitchen before blinking.

"N-Nanako-san?"

"AH! Ryoma-san! Don't do that! You scare the life out of me."

"Gomen… where is everyone?"

"Asleep. It's only seven am…you are up early."

"Aa… I couldn't sleep anymore."

"Well have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready. Japanese." Nanako said smiling at him. I sat down at the table and stared at the table.

"Dozo Ryoma-san. Eat up and get ready. Kevin-san will be up soon."

"Aa…" I said before placing my hands together. "Ittakemasu." I said before picking up my chopsticks. I picked at breakfast. I was half way through when Nanako placed three bottles of milk on the table. I glanced at her and then the milk. "Domo." I gulped all three down before heading upstairs. I felt slightly sick but it didn't bother me. I got ready and returned downstairs to see my mum sitting at the table.

"Ryoma-chan! Ohayou."

"Ohayou 'kaa-san."

"How are you today?"

"I'm well 'kaa-san… are you working today?"

"No. I am going to be doing some shopping so I will be in most of the day… Are you meeting up with your tennis friends today?"

"Don't know."

"Ohayou!" Kevin said bouncing into the room. I glanced at him before sighing.

"Too full of energy." I muttered before Kevin hugged mum.

"You're in high spirits today Kevin."

"Aa, Senpai tachi are meeting us at the street courts between nine and half nine, I think we will be playing a few games. How is Ryo-chan feeling today?"

"I'm fine." I replied before putting Karupin's food in her bowl.

'meow' she called as she came into the room. I pour some milk into a dish for her and returned the milk to the fridge. I placed my stuff in my bag before waiting on Kevin. Ryoga came down and ruffled my hair as he walked past me.

"Nii-san!" I said scolding him. He just laughed and kissed Nanako and mum on the cheek before taking an orange.

"Ready for today?"

"Aa… Kevin, what you doing?"

"Texting."

"Who?"

"Senpai tachi. They wanted to know how you were after yesterday."

"Oh…"

"Ready Kevin?"

"Yes."

"Chibisuke?"

"I've been ready for a while."

"What do you mean?" Kevin, Mum and Ryoga asked.

"Ryoma-san's been up since about seven." Nanako-san said. I looked around trying to find my favourite cap but couldn't find it. I sighed and lifted my bag. Kevin attempted to jump on my back but stopped when he saw me physically stiffen. I guess mum and Nanako didn't see it because they continued what they were doing. Ryoga gave me a look that said that I would be telling him later.

"Why you coming with us nii-san?" I asked confused slightly.

"Some one needs to be there to look after you when Kevin's playing."

"Minna will be there…"

"And they'll be watching the matches as well. now hurry up before your senpai's get worried."

"Senpai-tachi hardly ever worry… except may be Oishi-senpai."

"what ever chibisuke. Come on let's take the car."

"Yadda!" I said walking out of the house and to the front gate I walked out only to bump into someone. "Ohf… Oishi-senpai?"

"Oh, Ryoma-kun. Gomen."

"Daijobu desu senpai… why…?"

"I live two streets in that direction." Oishi said pointing to his left. "Eiji and I usually meat up here and head out however he's not here. I can't get through to him either."

I blinked slightly confused. Eiji always had his phone on no matter what.

"Oishi-senpai?" I heard Kevin ask from behind me.

"Ohayou Kevin-kun… Ryoga-san."

"Oh? Oishi-kun Ohayou."

I blinked and moved down the street towards the corner.

"Matte Ryoma!" Kevin called. I slowed slightly and waited for him to catch up. He linked arms with me and lowered his voice so only I could hear him.

"It's okay Ryo-chan; no one is going to hurt you."

"Kevin, I need time. I can't deal with too much just now."

"Ryoma, you've healed well…"

"No I've not! That's what I mean. Even if it seems like I have I haven't… Ryoga's even noticed."

"What? When?"

"This morning."

"Oi, chibisuke."

"Usiu?"

"If you keep walking you you'll miss the stairs."

I blinked and looked to my left and saw the stairs. I didn't even realise who was standing in front of me.

"Ochibi-chan?" I heard Eiji say. I looked back to him and found him looking at me confused.

"Eiji…nii-san?"

"Ohayou Ochibi chan… are you okay?"

I just nodded. He smiled but different than what I remembered them to be.

"Eiji!"

"Ohayou Oishi."

"Where you been? Are you okay? Do I need to send for my uncle?"

"No. no, I'm fine. I just had a check up today." Eiji said forcing a smile.

"A check up for what? You are alright… right?"

"It was just checking my bone strength. Me being so flexible they need to check that they are strong enough to cope with my way of playing. Especially when it comes to my back flips and splits."

"Ah, okay."

I walked up the stairs with the others closer behind me. I stopped at the top and saw that there were three people already there. Two of them were Shusuke and Kunimitsu and the other was Kojirou Saeki, vice captain of Rokkaku chuu and Shusuke's best friend since child hood. I felt a pang of jealousy and sadness when I saw Shusuke and Kunimitsu's hands entwined. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"What ya looking at Ryo?"

"Nothing Kevin… Ryoga?"

"…Hmm? Nani chibisuke?"

"What you looking at?"

"Betsunie… let's head in."

"In… Ryoga we are in the outdoors." I said giving him a strange look. "We can't head in."

Ryoga laughed and headed on to the court. As he entered all three boys stopped talking and they looked up. Kunimitsu and Shusuke looked up and so did Saeki. Saeki gasped before jumping to his feet and ran and jumped at Ryoga. Ryoga smiled and caught him before kissing him. I walked past them and placed my bag on a bench not that far from the front of the stands. I heard footsteps coming closer. I looked up and saw Shusuke looking at me.

"……Shusuke-senpai?"

"Ohayou Ryoma-kun." Shusuke said smiling.

"N-Nani?"

Shusuke leant in and I closed my eyes. I felt a pair of lips on my forehead. My eyes opened and blinked. I looked up to find Shusuke smiling at me. I looked at him confused before he wiped my hat out and placed it on my head backwards.

"…Where did you find it?"

"Horio-kun found it last night after you left. We said that we would him we'd deliver it to you when we saw you."

"D-Domo." I said before slipping my hoddie off and started to go to the court only to be stopped when I felt someone approaching me from behind. I turned and saw Kunimitsu standing behind me.

"Ohayou Buchou."

"How are you felling today Ryoma?"

"…Well. Better than I have been."

"That's good. Don't over exert your self today. Sit out when you feel the need too."

I blinked but nodded. I went to the edge of the court and started my warm up. I noticed Kevin laughing at Ryoga and Saeki. Ryoga glaring at Kevin, Saeki blushing slightly, Oishi and Kunimitsu were talking quietly and Shusuke was standing talking to the blushing Saeki. I notice Eiji sitting at the edge of the court with his head in his hands. I walked over to him.

"E…Eiji nii-san…"

Eiji's head popped up. His eyes were wide and his pace paled fast before regaining colour on recognising me. "O-O-chibi-chan? Are you alright?"

"Hai, I was just wondering if you could help me with my stretching."

"Of course."

I smiled as Eiji jumped up and we walked away from the other side of the court away from the others. Eiji helped me starch and loosen up. I hesitated before turning to him.

"Eiji nii-san…"

"Nande Ochibi-chan?"

"… it's not good to hide your emotions. Especially when they tear you apart."

"W…What do you mean Ochibi chan?"

"…… if it weren't for Kevin I wouldn't be able to face anyone. not after that happened. I wanted to curl up and die but … Kevin helped me through. He was like my anchor to this world… anyway… it's best to talk to someone that has gone through it."

"…GONE through it. what would you know?"

I looked him in the eyes, feeling the sting in my eyes. "… I went through it… three years ago…"

"O…… Ochibi-chan, gomen nesai."

I shock my head. "Daijobu Eiji-nii-san. Just remember there are more than just me that it has happened to. Kevin, Shusuke, me and Jirou."
"…That many?"

"Aa, demo not all are over it. they get to a certain point and they freeze… maybe it is time to let Oishi-senpai know or at least talk to Shusuke about it." I suggested standing and offering my hand to Eiji. Eiji took it and stood as well.

"You're right Ochibi-chan. I really should let it off my chest. Give me some time to tell someone?"

"You have as long as it takes to tell Eiji nii-san. Just don't let Oishi-senpai wait to long."

"You know Ochibi chan I like the new you… well not the jumpy part."

"you and I both. Looks like Momo-senpai is finally here shall we?"

"Hai, Ryoma."

I stopped in my tracks before turning to Eiji. "T...That's the first time you have called me by my first name."

"It's about time I did Ryoma-kun." Eiji said smiling softly. Eiji gently placed an arm round my shoulder and we walked back to the others. Kevin noticed us first and raised an eyebrow when he saw Eiji's arm round my shoulder.

"Domo Eiji nii-san."

"Daijobu Ryoma-kun. It's the least I could do." Eiji said smiling before going over to his bag and placing more weights in his power anklets and wrists. I saw Shusuke watching me out the corner of his eyes.

"Ryoma-chan." Kevin said walking up to me.

"Hmm?"

"What was that about?"

"Nothing much. Eiji was just helping me starch." I said smiling."

"Careful or they might think you and he are an item."

"But we're not hence why I called him 'eiji-nii-san' besides that's all I see him as. An older brother and a friend." I said smiling slightly before seeing Momoshiro Takeshi running up the stairs

"GOMEN!" he called as he got to the top.

A/N: Gomen minna. I have been on work placement and haven't had time to write much. I'll hopefully have more time to write now that I have finished work placement. Mika-chan.