CHAPTER 14

It was the end of the school day and club activities had just started. For Fuji it couldn't have gone any slower. He spent to whole of lunch trying to find Ryoma but found no traces of him. He had even asked the other freshmen but they just said that he always disappears and only turns up again once the last bell for the day had rung.

Meanwhile Ryoma was still asleep but had found it comfier under the desk curled up. He had another memory. He was sweating and sobbing could be heard throughout the room.

(Past - Ryoma POV)

I fed the others. I was allowed to eat but I didn't feel happy being the only one. So with the plate of food I brought it to the others that I shared my room with. My master gave me some freedom to walk around the lab while he was here. I thought I got away with it but as I left the room my master punched me hard in the stomach. I fainted and when I woke up I found myself in the middle of the lab with all the scientists surrounding me. I was about to stand only to find I had my collar on and I was attached to a small chain which was connected to the floor. I was on my knees and I was naked. My back was fully exposed to those freaks. The scar from my spine operation in plain sight. I brought my hands to cover my head.

"Look at me. " It was a demand but I wouldn't listen. All I could do was hope this wasn't going to be painful. "Beauty I won't say it again. Look at me." Lifting my head and looking into my masters eyes, I could see the disappointment in them. He had a crowbar in his hand. "I told you not to feed the others. You need the food not them. You are the one that needs to live."

He struck me. I could feel the metal making contact with my skin. After a few minutes he stopped and told the others to take me to his room. My back it hurts so much. My throat was dry from all the screaming. I had been bad. I knew I should never go against master. I was being held by one of them like a baby. They laid me on my stomach. It felt like hours before master came to the room.

"Beauty, I'm sorry but I need to set an example. You need to be conditioned. I have to treat you the same as the others when it comes to punishments. You understand don't you." I could feel the bed sink as he sat down. I could feel something touch my back so gently. "Sit up." I did as I was told. It hurt but I would do anything to avoid getting hit like that again. He healed me and made it hurt less. Once he was done he brought me into his lap and gave me a hug. I didn't even need a second before I returned it. "I love you Beauty. Your my most important. Will be together even in death. I could never think of what life will be like without you."

I fell asleep and when I woke up I was still on the bed but I had a blanket wrapped around me. I saw my master at the door holding a child. He looked really young.

"Beauty." He called my name and walked towards me. I sat up and waited for his command but instead I got a gift. "I would like you to meet someone." He put the child on my lap and I looked into the boys chocolate-brown eyes. "This is Sam, he's three. He will be your responsibility. Think of him as a little brother. Look after him and we'll give you both food but you need to leave the others alone. Understand?" With a nod I looked at my now little brother. I hugged him tightly. My tail came round and curled around both our waists. I made a promise that day. I promised that I will protect him.

"I love you master. I promise to make sure nothing bad happens." I felt a spark inside me. Like I had a new meaning to my life.

"Good, because it will just be you two in your room now. You'll have each other until he can no longer go on." I buried my head in Sam hair.

My name is Beauty and I'm 7 years old. I now have a little brother and I will love him like a big brother should.

(Present - End Ryoma POV)

He felt himself shaking as he woke up. Looking into the eyes of a worried old man, Ryoma got up from under the desk and wiped his face with his sleeve when he felt water running down his cheeks. He looked at Tanaka but his shaking wouldn't stop.

"Ryoma, what's wrong?" He didn't say anything as he grabbed his bag and left the room. The old man just felt stunned.

Walking into the changing rooms he dropped his school stuff and went out with his tennis equipment. He could still feel himself shaking. Sam was still on his mind. As he entered the courts all the regulars looked at him. Ryoma sat on the bench and buried his head in his hands.

"Do you think he's okay?" Oishi asked the others as they stood there observing the boy. Tezuka was the only one to actually walk up to the boy. He didn't say anything but just stood there.

"What?" Ryoma mumbled.

"What's upset you?" Ryoma looked at the captain to see he was completely serious.

"Nothing."

"Why are you so jumpy then?" The cat just stood up and left to walk around, leaving his rackets behind. Tezuka didn't leave it there. He followed the boy until he got mad enough to answer.

"What the hell is your problem?" Kunimitsu took the silent approach and kept quiet. It actually paid off when the boy spoke again. "I just had a dream. Ok, it was nothing serious." Knowing Ryoma was telling the truth he told the to boy to go get his stuff and that his first match was going to start in 10 minutes.

He had beaten his first two opponents with ease. It was the next match he was getting excited about. What he had waited for all day.

The trio freshmen had decided to hang round with the child. Ryoma seemed to have calmed down a lot since the first day of school so they stayed with him as they now knew to keep a certain amount of distance. Problem was it didn't really stop Horio from boasting about his made up tennis skills. They where in the changing rooms talking about the next match when the door slammed open an a snake entered the room. He was hissing as all. He gave the four of them a glare before speaking up.

"Get out, I'm trying to get ready." Katsuo, Kachiro and Horio ran like they where being hunted down by an insane person who had escaped from an asylum. Ryoma watch them go out the door before turning to the second year. They both seemed to just stand there staring at each other. "What do you want?" Ryoma let a smirk settle on his lips.

"Tigers eat snakes for breakfast." He quickly grabbed his bag before going off to find the tensai. Meanwhile Kaidoh just stood there still looking at the door while he wondered what the kid had taken to say something like that.

Ryoma found Fuji at one of the courts watching a match and the freshman trio seemed to be there.

"Ryo-Chan. What are you looking for this time?" Ryoma just looked at Syu trying to figure out the best way to put it.

"Ponta." Fuji letting an even bigger smile appear on his face answer with getting 200 yen coin out but just before giving it to the cat he said.

"Saa... How about I give you this to get some and you tell no one else what happened Saturday?"

"Deal." Ryoma grabbed the coin and was about to start walking off, but stopped a when he saw Tezuka approach them. Deciding to chance his luck he said to the genius. After all he still didn't really understand what was wrong with what they did. "Neh... Syusuke, I don't know why you're so embarrassed, you where just making love." Before walking away faster than before and finding a vending machine. Kunimitsu had stopped and was standing behind Fuji with his eyes slightly wide. Fuji had taken to running a hand though his hair. He was turning round when he stopped to see his captain now standing in front of him.

Tezuka composed himself and was about to speak when Horio cut in.

"Hey, Fuji Senpai what did Echizen mean?"

"Nothing, it's just a joke I shared with him. Don't worry." He quickly gave Tezuka a look of telling him to follow. With that they both walked off hoping no one would hear the next part of their conversation. Both of them stopped as they turned the corner so they where out of sight of others.

"So Echizen caught you with Sei?"