CHAPTER 40
Eiji had waited with the others. Them and Fudomine had made small conversation with each other all hoping that Tezuka would hurry and be back there already. Finally having enough he snuck away from them and went to find his O'chibi and captain. He knew they both went to the bathroom, but he didn't know why they went together.
Walking in he heard nothing. When he got round the corner to where the sinks were he saw both of them. Tezuka was standing there holding the boys arm and then he saw the ears. He just assumed they weren't real and that his captain had a thing for cat cosplay. He himself had to admit the boy looked adorable with them on top of his head.
"Kawaii!" He shouted as he shot towards the boy. Only to stop in front of him and making sure not to touch him when he remembered that he doesn't like it. He was jumping up and down in excitement. He though he had finally figured out the boys secret. With all the secret glances Fuji and Tezuka gave him. They both like Ryoma in cosplay. He suddenly wondered if there where other's like Ryoma that his captain like to dress up. "Nya! Captain, does this mean you like to dress others in cosplay?"
He saw the shock look on the captains face realizing that he had got it wrong. Taking another look at the boy in front of him he inspected the ears closely. It was when he saw no head band or anything else to hold them in place did it dawn on him. One of them even twitched slightly. He mouth was now opening and closing like a goldfish. "They're real?" His eyes wide.
The boy had sat there frozen and had only one thought going though his head. 'I'm scared... Is he going to run?'
"Eiji, You're scaring him." Eiji had no idea what to do. Sure he acted like a cat, but it was different. Tezuka had realize that he was struggling and decided to at least sort the boy's other arm out. "Ryoma, arm." Ryoma gave him the one that hasn't been sorted yet and watched him clean and wrap it. Eiji finally taking in the boy's injuries voiced his question.
"Nya, O'chibi how did that happen?" Ryoma didn't make eye contact and looked to the floor. He didn't want to answer. No one knew. Well... Tomo knew it was about a nightmare he had. Ryoma shook his head giving the silent message that he wouldn't say.
When Mitsu finish he pick up the jumper and was going to give it to the boy to put on when he felt the sleeve was soaked. The blood had gotten on the inside of it and seeped though. Since it was black it was hard to see the liquid that covered it. "Ryoma go find Fuji. I think he had your regular jacket." With a nod the boy was about to run off. "Ryoma." He turned and saw Tezuka indicate to his head. Remembering suddenly he grabbed the hood and pulled it on clipping the clips in place.
Once Ryoma left Mitsu turned his attention to the other cat like being. It was quiet for a couple of seconds before Eiji spoke up. "Nya... Why does O'chibi have ears like a kitty?"
"Because he was hurt." Tezuka always struggled trying to explain things. He always found it easier when they got it the first time. But Eiji was a lot like a child and tended to need just that much more detail. Normally he would leave that job for Oishi.
"How?" Kikumaru wasn't stupid he just like to know the full story of something instead of leaving things half done.
"I can't tell you much. Just that he was an experiment that was abandoned. You know, you can't tell the others." Tezuka looked to see the red-head with tears in his eyes.
"O'chibi's secret is safe with me. I'll protected him." That's all Mitsu really need to say. It even surprised himself how the other took it. Kunimitsu could only think that Eiji got sensitive if others got hurt. Dropping the subject they both went out to find their team.
Ryoma had started to make his way back only to see Fudomine standing with his team. Off to the side slightly was Momo and he was talking to An. Ryoma didn't know what came over him, but he would not allow Momo to change best friends. He was Momo's best and no one could change it. Fudomine team where the first to spot the boy. They watched as he stormed up and wrapped his arms round Momo's waist. His cheek was pressed up against the other's ribs. "Mine." He half shouted at An. Momo could feel a drop of sweat falling down his brow. "He's my best friend, not yours." He glared at the girl. Both teams smiled at the boy. Fudomine did it mostly out of the fact Ryoma was acting like a jealous five year old and Seigaku did it because they got use to the boy acting like this.
It was when Momo finally took in the boys looks to notice the bandages. "Hey, Ryoma. Why the bandages?" The boy looked at his arms and realised Momo. Looking around to see all of them now looking in interest Ryoma getting nervous, hopped towards Fuji.
"Kunimitsu said you had my regulars jacket." Syu smiled and found it hard not to call him a rabbit. "Can I have it?" Ryoma stuck both of his arms out like he was expecting the jacket to appear out of thin air. Syu patted the boy on the head and told him to follow him to the courts where he left his bag.
"You know your freshmen regular is weird." Shinji Ibu spoke even if it wasn't directed to anyone when he said it. They got a few smiles from the others.
"You've noticed that as well." Oishi spoke. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Most of us don't understand the kid either."
"Nya! Where's my O'chibi?" Eiji yelled as he went towards the tennis player. Tears where threatening to fall from his eyes.
"Kikumaru-Senpai..." Momo tried to calm him down along with Kawamura and Oishi helping to.
"O'chibi is hurt bad." He rubbed his eyes with his arm trying to dry the tears. "He's my new little brother, nya. He needs all the love he can get because he's a..." It got cut off by Mitsu who had his hand covering the red-heads mouth. Eiji looked up to see the glare his captain was giving him. He swallowed his breath. Suddenly remembering that this was a secret. When Tezuka put his hand down Kikumaru tried a better approach. "Nya, Captain. Who knows in our team?"
"Momo and Fuji." With a nod they exchanged more pleasantries with Fudomine and then walked to the court where they saw Syusuke and a very upset Ryoma.
"NYA! Fujiko what did you do to my little brother?" Yelled Eiji the now self proclaimed older brother of Ryoma. Fuji looked at him and gave them a weak and fake smile.
"Well..."
(Syusuke and Ryoma Flashback)
Ryoma was waiting at the gate for Syu to get the boy's jacket. It was then that Fuji had finally decided to ask. "Ryo-Chan..." He looked to see the boy with his head tilted slightly to the left. "Can I have a kiss? Right here." He pointed to his cheek.
"Why?" Fuji's head snapped towards his direction when he heard the sadness the boy conveyed in his voice. "Is something going to happen? You're going to wake up tomorrow right?" He could see the boys wide golden eyes looking desperately into his. As if making sure that he wouldn't disappear. "I'll be good boy... Promise. Don't leave me alone." Ryoma had come up to Syu and was grabbing his sleeve, the boy wiped nose on it, before looking up again. "I don't want you to go." He could hear the whimper and the whine coming from his voice. Fuji swore at that point in time he had broke his own heart in two. He could just imagine that if the boy wasn't wearing his hood, his ears would be flat against his head and if his tail was showing, he would most likely be holding it and twisting his hands round it.
"Ryo..."
"NYA! Fujiko what did you do to my little brother?" That was when the others entered.
(End Flashback)
As Syusuke finished his explanation he could see Tezuka roll his eyes behind his glasses. Mitsu knew it was a simple mistake, but it was probably the fact that it was Syu that made it. Like Mitsu knew all to well that Fuji could be impatient. He knew he probably saw his chance to get something from the boy since it was only those two around. It wasn't even that bad asking for a kiss on the cheek. You never know. It was Syusuke Fuji and it could of been 10 times worse. Tezuka patted Ryoma on the head and announce to everyone that there was now had a tournament to finish.