A/N: Hello, it's been a while! I apologize for the late update and hoping for your understanding *bows*. it's been tough for a while and with a lot of things happening, and losing track of things, I couldn't concentrate. Anyways, I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Somewhere along the way chapter 3

She sighed as she just left the hospital. It was saturday today and as Ryoga was quite free today, he accompanied her.

"What are you sighing for, Chibisuke?" he asked, looking at the girl beside him.

"Just thinking of the piece I performed yesterday. I did a good job but I still missed some notes here and there." Ryoga smiled at his sister and nodded.

"Well... to be able to play the whole song by just practicing a few times, it's quite great already. And nobody did say you needed to master it all in just a few days." He said as they went to the park. Ryoga looked at his sister, then thought for a moment.

"Besides, if you're struggling, why don't you ask Uncle Sakaki to help you. You're meeting him later, right?" she nodded at that.

"Yeah. You think you can join me? I mean, if you aren't busy." She asked.

"Well, I don't think I have any plans for now, I mean… not at the moment." he said, thinking deeply. " Hmm, I guess I could accompany you there for a while. But where is he today anyways?" he asked. Ryoma then brought out her phone and looked at it, looking at the message she received yesterday.

"He's at Hyotei." She asked. Ryoga blinked as he thought for a while.

"Hyotei? Why is that school so familiar?" He asked out loud.

"Because that's where ore-sama goes, ahn?" both siblings blinked and turned to see Atobe standing there, along with Kabaji.

"Ah, Keigo, Kabaji, hello. What are you doing here?" Ryoga asked. Atobe smiled at them.

"When ore-sama heard from sensei that someone was coming to visit, ore-sama volunteered to come pick the brat up." She glared a bit at him before sighing.

"You don't need to if you don't want to." Ryoma said. Atobe merely looked at her and smirking.

"I didn't say that, brat." he said as they continued to converse for a bit. Suddenly, Ryoga felt his phone vibrate and took it out. He then sighed, which garnered their attention.

"Then, I leave her to you Keigo." Ryoma blinked at that before grabbing her brother's hand.

"Where do you think you're going aniki?" she asked. Ryoga smiled, patting her on the head. Ryoma looked at him in silence.

"Well, since Keigo is here to escort you, I thought I could leave for a while. Besides, I just remembered I needed to go buy some stuff. Keigo's here anyway. He won't let anything harm you, right?" he said, as he looked at Keigo very seriously. He nodded at that, twitching a bit.

"Of course. Ore-sama wouldn't let anyone touch his baby brat!" he said. She sighed at that as she grabbed her violin case. The day just started but it is giving her some headaches already.

The ride to Hyotei had been brief, yet Ryoma took that time to sleep a bit. Atobe merely looked at her and sighed before looking out the window. He could of used that time to ask her some things but stopped. Besides, he could ask it later on, or ask around her brother if it comes to it. Upon arriving, he looked at the brat beside him.

"Oi, baby brat, we're here." He said as he shook her. It took a few times before she slowly opened her eyes and slowly sitting up, giving a yawn.

"Ah, are we here now Kei-nii"? he nodded, telling her to wake up now before they got out of the car. She blinked a few times before grabbing her violin case. She looked around and was impressed with how wide the school is and its surrounding. No wonder he was like that. She could clearly see the multiple gyms and the wide field where some students seem to be practicing. She could make out the greenhouse/ garden some ways away and maybe a separate cafeteria and other places still on the school. It was an impressive school. There were some murmurs and screaming as soon as some students saw Keigo, and some even seemed to chant.

Ryoma could only roll her eyes as she sees the smirk on his face as he bask on the attention before snapping his fingers and seeming to say his finishing statement. Sighing a bit at the way her cousin seem to display himself, she looked at their tall companion who was indifferent beside her. After the students slowly dispersed, Keigo turned towards her.

"Welcome to Hyotei, Ryo. Ore-sama would like to show you around but Sakaki-coach would be waiting for us. Maybe next time. Come." He said as the trio went towards the tennis courts.

"Ah, I did remember Sakaki-oji being your coach as well as music instructor, right?" she asked as Keigo nodded.

"Yes. And since the tennis team is in practice today, coach would be there." he said as they reached the outside courts where they could see some of the members doing training and some doing some matches. On one of the benches, with some of the students, they could see an older man, observing each and every one of them.

"Ah, there he is. Coach." He said as they neared the adult. Turning towards them, he nodded at them before looking at Ryoma. Ryoma waved at the adult.

"Ryoma. It's good to see you after a while." He said as she smiled lightly.

"Yes it has, Oji-san. Okaa-san said she's sorry to not meet you. She's still busy in the States." He nodded in understanding.

"So I've heard." Suddenly, a student came near them, telling their coach that someone was looking for him in his office. He sighed at that, as he looked at Ryoma.

"I'm sorry for that Ryoma. It seems that we have to postpone our meeting for a while. Since you'll be here for a while, why don't you watch the team play first then we'll hear you play after? Or are you going somewhere after?" she wanted to protest or something but since her uncle had something suddenly come up and he was technically doing her a favor for helping her on her piece, then she might just do it. And so, she shook her head as she sat near him, placing her violin case beside her on the bench. Atobe, seeing her being comfortable, nodded at them before going to the club room to change along with Kabaji. Suddenly, her eyes caught the players having mini matches. Sakaki, seeing where she was looking, smiled a bit.

"Can you spot some things for them? You have quite a keen eye for those things." she didn't reply but just continued looking towards those players. Seeing this, he left as she continued eyeing them as they had their matches. Suddenly, she sees Atobe and Kabaji coming near her.

"I'll meet you at the music room after Ryoma. Let Keigo show you where or any of the regulars. Keigo, I expect you to look at everything after. I might ask a student to call for you once I've finished whatever business I have." Both cousins nodded before he left.

"You're quite engrossed in their matches. Seen something, ahn?" he asked but she smirked.

"A few. That guy's serve is quite fast but he still lacks control. And that person…" she then continued to list off some of the things she observed as Atobe nodded at her observations.

"You really surprise Ore-sama, Brat. You do this and that, and yet you still say you do not want to play." She glared at him and he was about to say something else when he heard someone blew the whistle. "Come, let me introduce you to the regulars." He said as Ryoma stood up.

then, she followed Atobe and Kabaji towards the few people who were on one side of the bleachers, talking about some things.

"Oi, Atobe, you're quite late today. Where did you go?" Gakuto said, as they all looked to the trio coming towards them.

"Oh?" Yuushi said as he looked at them. "My, who is this Atobe?"

Atobe looked at all of them before he smirked.

"She's Echizen Ryoma, my baby brat, ahn." He introduced as she silently sighed at him. Slowly the other regulars introduced themselves.

"I'm Mukahi Gakuto, senior. And this is my doubles partner…"

"Oshitari Yuushi. Nice to meet you Echizen." She bowed at them.

"I'm Otori Choutarou, second year. Nice to meet you." 'ah, the one with that powerful but fast serve.' She thought.

"I'm Shishido Ryo, third year." A man with hair tied, said. She nodded her head.

"and I'm Hitoshi Wakato. Second year as well." One with a somewhat angry expression said. Suddenly, Atobe sighed.

"Where's Jiro?" he said. Suddenly, they parted a bit to show a man sleeping on the bench.

"That's Akutagawa Jiro, a thirds year as well. And you know both Atobe and Kabaji." Yuushi answered.

"That's the Hyotei regulars." Atobe said, as he looked at his team and to his cousin. Suddenly, she smiled lightly and blinked. Not fully knowing if they understand sign language, she brought out her pen and paper and wrote something down.

"I'm Echizen Ryoma, freshmen. Nice to meet you." Was clearly written in the paper. They looked a bit confused and it showed on their faces.

"I had an accident a year prior so I still can't talk." She wrote once again as they nodded. Though they wonder why something like this happened in the first place.

"she's currently in rehab, ahn." Atobe informed them.

"ah, if it's not rude, may I ask why you're here Echizen-san?" Choutaro asked as she looked at him before shaking her head.

"I have some plans with Oji-san and had stopped by here for a while. You're all quite talented though there are some holes in your plays." She wrote as they all looked at her, shocked a bit.

"How?"

"She plays, well… played." Atobe corrected feeling the glare at his side. Suddenly, he sees the same student who came a while back and was coming towards them. He told them their coach was now free and was telling them to bring her now. Atobe nodded. "Anyways, let's get going brat. Sakaki coach will get angry at ore-sama if we make him wait too long." That was when they noticed the violin case she was holding on her other hand. She nodded as she looked at them once again.

"We'll probably meet again soon. And when I do, I hope to see some progress in your plays." And with that, both of them left.

"She's quite interesting, no?" Gakuto said as he looked at them. They nodded.

"Although, I'm quite surprised to see her with Atobe." Yuushi said.

"Yeah, and to think she's related or something to coach?" They froze at that. then they looked at Choutarou, who was sweat dropping.

"Um, haven't you heard her say Oji-san a while back?"

"what I'm curious about is why she couldn't speak. I mean, it might be related to her rehab? And she playing tennis?"

"Also, what is her connection really to Atobe? Although we know he has no problem with girls, but the way he interacts with her is a bit different, don't you think so?" they just nodded.

"Well, do you think we could ask them about it?" with no one to answer their questions, they all sighed.

"Let's just go back to practice before Atobe comes back."

"And please, can someone wake Jirou up?"

With Atobe and Ryoma…

"Besides your observation of their play styles a while back, what do you think of ore-sama's team?" Atobe asked, as he showed her a bit around while they go to the music room, where they knew Sakaki might be waiting. Ryoma shrugged.

"It's quite a good team." Atobe raised a brow but she stayed silent, not wanting to explain it further. He sighed at that, knowing he wouldn't hear anything else other than that. a few minutes more, they've reached the music room.

"Anyway, I need to go back to the courts, Ryo. Ore-sama will see you later then." And he left her there, just after knocking on the door. Ryoma, waving a bit back to him, sighed before opening the door.

She continued to play the song and tried some of the back –ups she had for the next 2 hours. In the end, she was quite tired but she had a small smile on her face.

"Thank you so much, oji-san." Sakaki looked at her and nodded.

"Just keep on practicing that way and for sure you'll do it better next time." Ryoma nodded as she placed her violin on her case. After fixing up, both left the room and went towards the training grounds. Sakaki asked some questions here and there and Ryoma answered the best she could. Once they've reached the grounds, she nodded at him as she made her way towards her cousin.

"You'll come and visit sometime soon, ne Oji-san?" she asked, looking as Sakaki nodded.

Reaching the benches, she sat down and sighed. She looked at the players who were busy training and to the regular who were off to the side. Checking her phone, and seeing she might need to stay here for a while more, she made herself comfortable as she brought out her sketchbook and pencil and started drawing. She seemed to be engrossed in it since she was a bit startled when a hand lay on her shoulders. Looking up she was met with a rather amused look from Keigo, who seemed to have only finished his training.

"What has got you so engrossed, ahn?" she stayed silent as Keigo looked at it. It was rough sketches, but he was a bit amazed as he sees it. Suddenly he was handed a bottle of water, which he grateful grabbed and drank on, feeling rather parched as the other regulars slowly made their way to them.

"Sakaki coach ended our training today a bit early so just wait a bit, alright?" she merely nodded as she stretched a bit, feeling herself stiff for staying on that position for a long time. Keigo, nodding, went inside first.

"Man, Atobe seemed to be a bit different, huh?" she looked to see Shido talking. She raised a brow, clearly a bit confused. Seeing her confusion, he grinned a bit.

"I mean, he's less haughty today than before." she raised a brow at that.

"Isn't he always like that?" he shook his head. "though I do agree he's a bit like a monkey king at times, seemingly liking to order others around. Not that I blame him. He's been like that since." seeing the response given, Shido couldn't help but laugh at what she stated. Others, feeling rather curious, looked and had a bit of a smile as well, some even laughing a bit. they couldn't agree more.

"And what are you all laughing about?" they looked to see Atobe coming to them, a raised brow. They looked at each other and shook their head. He narrowed his eyes towards them but then looked at Ryoma, who merely shrugged. Sighing, he beckoned her over as they waved goodbye to them, and to their uncle before leaving.

She plopped on her bed, tired of the day's events. Although wanting to sleep already, she knew she couldn't. She was waiting for the promised time Kevin would call, and of course to talk and hear what's happening there.

Ring…

She then grabbed her tablet and pressed accept.

"Hey, Ryoma." and she smiled. And as such, both went on to converse just about anything. Ryoma smiled as she hears about what's happening and how the others were doing and such. It was when Ryoma yawned did they realized they were conversing for a few hours now. Kevin looked a little sheepish at this.

"Let's talk again sometime, alright?"

"Wait." Kevin looked at her. Ryoma sighed.

"Remember the chat I said a week back? About the coach and being a manager?"

"Of course. And I know they were pestering you… but, don't you think this is a good step?" Ryoma raised a brow at that.

"I mean, I know you still want to play, and I know it's hindering you back. But, don't you think you can give it another try? If not for you, them see for yourself how they'll be. Try to interact with them. And later on, will you decide. I mean, I know it's a tough one for you at the moment, but give them and yourself a chance." Ryoma recalled her parents, the incident and what happened after. She recalled being broken upon hearing the news and how she slowly tried to cope.

"I know it's hard, but don't think about giving up. Find a reason to push forward again. Ryo, you're a bright girl, and I don't want this thing to end just that. If you can't find the motivation to push forward, then look around you." she remembered her mother saying that a few months back, and remembered the concerned faces they all had.

"If it's hard bishounen, then you have us."

"Right, chibisuke. You can't give up, when we don't give up on you, alright?"

She remained silent as she absorbed what Kevin told her. Kevin looked at the girl with a sad smile.

"I know I said that but just… let's talk about it another time if you want, alright? I know it's late there already."

"Alright Kev. Night."

"Okay. Good night, Ryo."

The tournament deciding the regulars had just finished and they were all given a day off of rest. But the regulars went to the courts today, intending to get a few practice matches to take up the time.

"A-ah, in the end we haven't succeeded and Coach even stopped us from looking for her. But, I'm curious." Kikumaru started as he sat back up.

"About what?" Oishi asked.

"Well, why was coach adamant in us finding and asking ochibi to become our manager?" the others shrugged, not knowing their answer.

"There is a good chance that it was because she was talented, or she was tasked to look out for her." Inui said.

"Look out for her?"

"As said before, there was an incident that happened. Everyone was tight lipped about it, and because of that, some of their classmates opted to accompany her along with the first year members." Inui supplied.

"That's why they were a bit wary when we were asking about them." Oishi murmured.

"Anyways, it's finished. Let's just continue."

The next day, at practice…

"Everyone, gather." everyone lined up, just their coach, Tezuka and Oishi up front looking at each one of them. After a few announcements and few more reminders around them, they were divided to their assigned tasks.

Once the regulars were all gathered, Ryuuzaki smiled.

"So, since the district tournament is coming up, we've prepared some things for you. But before that, I have an announcement." Nodding at them, she smiled again. "From this point onwards, you'll be having a manager which would be helping us. You might know her already, seeing as I've asked you to recruit her."

"You mean-" then the gates opened again and in came Ryoma, wearing a loose shirt and jogging pants, hair tied in a high ponytail and a cap on her head. She was carrying a box as she made her way towards them. Setting the box on the ground, she looked at them, face blank.

"Let me introduce to you your new manager, Echizen Ryoma."

A/N: thank you for reading. reviews and criticisms are accepted. until next time!