CHAPTER 2

The next day was hell according to both Shan and Ryoma.

"Ryoma! For the last time your going and that's final." Yelled Shan for tenth time that day.

"I can't! I think I caught a rare disease that only I can get. My tummy hurts and my fingers are tingling."

"I told you already your just nervous. If you get in the car I will give you a ponta to drink on the way." At that the tigers ears lifted slightly. All signs of doubt gone. He followed out while making sure his tail is tucked into his trousers and his hood is on along with the clips to keep it in place. The rid was a silent one. Well as silent as it can get with Ryoma happily slurping his drink.

When it was the final turn into the school car park, Shan kept an eye out for Ryoma making sure he wouldn't run at the first chance he got. Pulling into a parking space he turned his full attention towards the boy.

"Now Ryoma I'll be here to pick you up at 3.30. I want you to look around and have a look at the tennis courts. Don't worry Surmire is around here somewhere. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you go find her if something is wrong."

"But what about my lunch nap."

"Don't worry when lunch starts at 12 you make your way to the principles office and he has a sofa in there. Then he will wake you at 2.15 when school has finish and then you go to the tennis club... Okay."

Reluctantly he got out of the car and made his way to the building all the while looking over his shoulder to see if his adopted father had left yet. Ryoma didn't know if he was happy or annoyed at the fact that he stayed in the parking space until he had stepped foot in the building. The was when he realized his other problem. He was now lost. With no idea of where the office was. Wondering around he spotted a student about to go into a classroom. Considering it was still early there was not many people around but this guy he looked only a couple of years older than him. Without thinking Ryoma walked up to him and grabbed the edge of his shirt and gave it a slight yank to get his attention.

"Umm... Can you help me find the principles office?" He asked quietly.

(Tezuka's Morning)

Today was strange to say the least. Well for Kunimitsu Tezuka at least. It was when he came down stairs to eat some breakfast just before leaving. Him and his grandfather Kunikazu would always eat together today was no different. But usually it was silent and both of them would concentrate on eating. Today however Kunikazu spoke up.

"Mitsu, today there is going to be a student joining your school. I would appreciate it if you try to get along with him. He tries keeping others at a distance." That was it. That was all that was spoken. The only reply he gave was a ' Yes grandfather.' Before getting up putting his plate in the sink and grabbing his bag from upstairs. Saying his goodbyes and leaving the house, he still wondered what kind of person could he be in order to get this grandfathers attention. The other problem he had was that he had no idea what the student looked like but by the way the older man put it he would know who it was as soon as he saw him.

He was finally at school when he was about to go into the student council room when he felt a yank on the back of his shirt turning round he was met with a small figure wearing a black hoodie. He couldn't see the students face as he kept it facing the ground. It was then that he heard the boy speak.

"Umm... Can you help me find the principles office?" He asked quietly.

"Sure," was all the Tezuka could say. After all the kid looked like he shouldn't even be here. It was already a week into the new year at the school and Kunimitsu Tezuka, age 18 could confidently say that this kid looked no older than 12. Leading the child in complete silence to the office he decided to stay with him and find out more. He still wasn't able to see the boys face. Knocking on the door and hearing the 'come in' from the other side, he pushed open the door and entered.

The old man was called Tanaka and at the time he was looking out the window before turned to see Tezuka walking to the middle of the room while Ryoma decided that the sofa looked much nicer and sat comfortable on it. Ryoma was still keeping a distance from the man but he had already met him a couple of time in America and if Shan liked him then Ryoma would try. If you were wondering Ryoma is much more at ease with people closer to his age or younger seeing as how he grew up. Making children/teens that much more trustworthy in his opinion. But Ryoma knew that not all people no matter what age where nice. It was just lucky that he got lost in the right place and got this guys attention.

"Hello Tezuka, Ryoma." Kunimitsu gave a nod of his head and Ryoma done a slight wave. "I'm surprised that you asked someone to help you Ryoma. Normally you would rather do everything yourself." With that the tiger just shrugged and replied.

"It was either ask or have a stampede of people later on and I prefer the first." He for the first time looked up and that's when the captains breath was taken for just a second.

The eyes that the boy had where so beautiful. Gold... He had never seen another human being with such strange eyes. Well that's not including Fuji of course. But these eyes where the ones that told you that this child was not fully tamed. Like he was taken out of the wild. He didn't even realize he was staring until the boy turned to face him and snapped.

"What the hell are you looking at?" Ryoma said between clenched teeth. Gold eyes looking into his own. It was then he noticed the hair the was slipping out of the hood. The colour was black and the light just hit it right to give it a slight green look. Tezuka couldn't blink. This child. Was the most amazing thing he had ever seen in his entire life. It looked like the boy was about to pounce him when he heard the principle say in a strict voice.

"Ryoma. Don't you dare think about it." With that both where brought back to reality.

"I wasn't going to do anything." He replied and slowly sat back on the sofa with his feet crossed. His head turned down. It was then that something clicked. That the other thing he missed about the boy was his teeth. His canines on the top where a bit longer and by the looks shaper that the rest. 'What is this boy?'

"Tezuka as you now know this is Ryoma Echizen. Ryoma this is Tezuka and he is the captain of the tennis team that you can join if your up to it." With that both teen snaped their head towards the elder in the room. Both of course for different reasons.

"So this guys meant to be the captain of the tennis team." Ryoma wondered out loud. While the captain was thinking. 'Just how old is this kid if he's allowed to enter. I wonder if this was the person my grandfather talked about. It seems to fit.'

"Now Ryoma I have you timetable and the agreement I made with Shan. Please behave and don't cause too much trouble. Tezuka would you please show Ryoma to his classroom. He is going to be a first year so he 16."

"Hey, old man are you telling me I don't look my age?" Ryoma's shyness seemed to evaporate into thin air as anger felt like a much better emotion at the moment. "I hope you not saying that I could be mistaken for someone younger." Tanaka was just frozen. Mean while the Tennis Regular was in just as much shock to find the kid was only two years younger than himself. Tezuka decided to take pity on the man and got Ryoma's attention.

"Echizen if you follow me then I will show you to your classroom." He went toward the boy who took a defensive position but stopped just before and picked up the forgotten timetable on the floor and read to see where Ryoma had to be. Kunimitsu couldn't help but realize how much this boy didn't like being near others it only made his suspicions clearer that this was definitely the person his grandfather wanted him to get closer with. "Are you ready to go." With a nod and another small wave to Tanaka both guys walked out and towards the freshman's classroom.

I finally updated this.