CHAPTER 20

It was now the weekend and Inoue had dragged Shiba out of her house early to go visit a cemetery. The night before he was looking up any information he could on Ryoma Echizen. He had found an American newspaper telling the story of a 2 year old boy who died in a fire. Apparently it was said that the boy was playing around in their back garden. When he had wondered into the shed. According to his mother, she was working on some files she kept there. After all she was a lawyer. Since there was no electricity she used one of those old oil lamps. She had apparently left for only a couple of minutes to check another file on the case she was working on in the house. Ryoma had wondered in had accidentally knock the lamp over. The fire spread so fast that by the time the mother noticed there was nothing left and they say the boys body burnt along with it and nothing was left.

Just before Nanjiro had died he had asked to be buried in his home country. She had apparently collected the ashes from the fire and sent them there as well. Claiming that even in the afterlife Ryoma will always have someone with him.

So this was what made him confused. The boy was meant to be dead and the Echizens said they only had one child, so someone was lying. The other problem he had was that he hadn't really told Shiba why he was dragging her there in the early hours of the morning.

When they got to grave he was looking for, he bent down and ran his fingers across the stone. This one was a lot smaller than his fathers. But it still showed that the child existed. It read.

Ryoma Echizen

24/12/1996 - 10/12/1999

You'll always be in our hearts

May you find peace where ever you are

Shiba had stopped talking as she also read it, but out loud. Giving of a gasp she looked towards Inoue and asked.

"But how is it possible? We only saw him a couple of day ago." Inoue gave he a sad smile and grabbed his bag getting the newspaper article out. He waited patiently while she read it. Afterwards she looked back at the man. "So the Ryoma we know could be a fraud?"

"I don't think so. But it seems strange. In the article it said his mother witnessed it. Doesn't it come around as odd. I would say the child is definitely an Echizen." He handed the photo of the two year old and another from the other day during the ranking matches to the woman. "Look there facial structure is the same, they also have a few similarities. Even Ryuzaki Surmire confirmed it." He looked back at the grave in deep thought. They had spent another half and hour there discussing it before leaving. Neither could think of a solution. Because as much as the two photo's looked the same there where more differences so it was hard to make a complete conclusion.

(With Ryoma)

Ryoma had just woken up and stretched his limbs. He thought today was going to be nice and relaxing. That was until he remembered that last night Shan had on his behalf agree to meet the other freshmen for a day at the tennis courts where Kachiro's dad worked as a coach.

Friday night Ryoma had come home excited. He now had his regular jacket. it was extra small much to Ryoma's annoyance. He was meant to be getting the T-shirt but Shan had to pull a few strings so it could be designed with the hood. The man was going to pick it up on Sunday for Ryoma but he told the boy that he had to go and spend time with his friends. After that the tiger yelled at the man claiming they where not his friends but people that just follow him around. Shan had laughed it off and told him to take Sei.

While all of this was happening Sei was listening to the conversation in the room next to them. He smiled slightly knowing it was Shan way to get him out of the house for some exercise as well. He even chuckled when he heard Ryoma's reply.

"I told you! You can take your own damn dog for a walk. He's your responsibility." He shouted before storming off upstairs and that was the end of there talk.

So today was the day. Shan took precautions and decided to call one of Sei's friends to watch over the two. It was about nine o'clock when they got the knock on the door. Opening the door he met with Sanada and they talked for a bit. He had heard from Kunikazu what had happened when they went fishing. Honestly he didn't know Sei was going to be that bad of an influence on Ryoma. First it was about making love, he didn't mind that much but they could of left some of the details out and now he kisses anyone he hurt by accident. He lead Gen into the lounge when he realized that Ryoma was probably trying to avoid today. He excused himself and went up stairs to see if Sei was ready and then try force the cat to leave the comfort of his room.

With a couple of crashes and bangs later the cat was dressed and now making his way down the steps. The funny thing was Genichiro had no idea that the person Sei was living with was the tiger. He was just asked if he would spend the day with Sei. So when Ryoma set foot in the lounge and saw him they both didn't do anything but stare. Ryoma was the first to react.

"What!" He shouted. "Why's he here?" He pointed towards Sanada. Meanwhile the vice-captain looked at Sei. He was just smiling again.

"Ryo-Chan you know Gen then?" Ryoma paused and looked at him then at the other. With a nod he then replied.

"Yeah, I pushed him in the river by accident." Sei smile widened. "But I did as you told me and gave him a kiss then said sorry." Yukimura looked at Sanada and grinned. If you looked close enough you could see the panic in Gen's eyes knowing that Sei had just found something to tease him about. It was now that Gen knew that the Sei the cat was talking about was his sadist of a captain for his tennis team.

They had made there way out of the house with Gen and Sei talking in front while the cat was carrying his tennis rackets and drinking some ponta. It seemed the only way the cat would go was if he got a treat. Ponta being his number one request.

When they arrived at the tennis courts they met up with the five freshmen. Horio was the first to comment on the two 18 year olds that came along.

"Echizen." Horio said to get the boy's attention. The said boy turned at looked at the monkey. "Why did you bring them with you?" Ryoma glanced at the two older ones behind him before for turning back.

"I was told to take the dog for a walk." Sei laughed and Gen carried on standing there watching the smaller ones. Horio had no idea what the cat was talking about. Dog? Yukimura saw his face and decided to put him out of his misery.

"That would be my nickname that Ryo-Chan has given me." Sakuno and Tomoko exchanged looks.

"And why do you call him Ryo-Chan! It's Ryoma-Sama. Only Fuji-Senpai can call him that because he's a regular." Tomoko bellowed. Ryoma put his hands on top of his hood from the noise. Even Sei winced at the volume.

"I'm sorry." Sei put on his best smile. "I only called him that since we live together. Like when he calls me a dog. It just shows how much we love each other." Tomoko stood there dazed at the blunette while Ryoma scoffed. "By the way I'm Seiichi Yukimura and this is Genichiro Sanada."

"You didn't answer my question why are you here?" Horio was now tapping his foot like an angry housewife.

"I needed to get out of the house and Gen joined to keep me company." Sei answered. He looked over all the freshman. Then he noticed the two girls carrying rucksacks. "Did you two bring the food?" Sakuno blushed and looked to the floor.

"Yeah, we thought that everyone would get hungry." It was then that Kachiro's father came over to greet them.

"Hey guys. If you follow me I'll show you to the court." With that they all followed him. Each making there own conversations and Ryoma like usual kept to himself.

They all stood at the entrance of the court they where allowed to use. Kachiro's father just told them to have fun and to not disturb the other customers. That was when they hear a voice call out. Horio was the only one not to of noticed since he was to busy trying to convince Ryoma to teach him the twist serve.

"Couch Katou!" A man with a beard came up to him. "Teach us well during our evening lesson."

"Ah, yes please Mr Sasabe wait at court F and I will be there when your lesson begins."

"What! Why can't we just play here on court A. I don't want to walk all the way over to court F." With that he walked away to sit on a bench. It was then that Couch Katou explained that he was a regular customer, but he was selfish and hated by everyone there. They all agreed that they would go to court F to help him out. So at court F Ryoma was playing the trio freshmen and wasn't even breaking a sweat. Sei and Gen sat on the side lines next to the squealing girls who where cheering for the cat. Ryoma had just beaten Horio.

"Geez Echizen. You looked so relaxed. You're not even using your left hand."

"You're all talk and you don't have any stamina." It was then that Horio got angry and pointed to the two watching on the bench.

"Ha, I know you're just too good Echizen. You must of had years of experience to be this good. I bet you I could beat those two without even trying." Sei sweat dropped and Gen grunted which could of been mistaken for him laughing. Ryoma looked him up and down before replying.

"I've only been playing for six months." With that he went to Sei and asked if he had a ponta. Leaving the monkey in shock.