4 papers down, 10 more to go.
Exams stress. Exams stress.

Ryoma didn't want to stay to watch whatever they're going to do to him. He had to get to the regulars fast. They must be sitting now... at the fast food joint just a street away... Ryoma looked up at Kaito Kei. "I am sorry. I don't play games like this." Ryoma said, and he shoved Rei aside, running towards his bag. I'll tell Momo-senpai everything about this. I can guess this much as Rei being in their team before coming to Seigaku... So I will tell them about this school... and then- Ryoma felt a sharp pain as he grabbedhis bag. The pain arced through his right shoulder, but he ignored it and slung his bag over his left shoulder, hurrying down the steps.

"Kei, are you sure its alright?" Rei asked, watching Ryoma run down the steps towards the gates. Then he watched as the boy tried to open the locked gate. Then his eyes went to the dart stuck in Ryoma's right shoulder. "Don't worry... he won't be able to say anything. But I'll let him have the fortune to watch the tournament in 2 weeks time. as a substitute that would not be able to stand in for his team." Kei said. From the top of the stairs, the team watched as Ryoma Echizen sank down to his knees and fell limply to the ground, unconscious. Then Kei headed down, plucking the dart out of Ryoma's shoulder and picking up the young boy gently, bridal style. "We'd bring him back to his seniors for now."

"Aren't you afraid he might say something?" Hawk asked, worried. He didn't want this plan to fall through after he had given up his moral for this. Kei turned to look at Hawk, then down at the sleeping Ryoma's face. Kei cradled Ryoma, rocking his arms back and forth as if caring for a baby. Kei smiled. "Oh, he wouldn't. Even if he did, no one would believe him. Rei, do a good job," Kei told Rei, who was beside him watching his Captain cradle a boy of his own age. "...yes." Rei said, smiling.

Echizen Residence

"Hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm..." Nanjiroh hummed as he held the trash bag in one hand, sliding open the door to the front garden of his house. He was forced to take out the trash for tonight. He was starting to wonder why Ryoma, his son, hasn't come home yet. "Maybe he went to his senior's house again... that little brat. Or he got himself a girlfriend, hehe..." Nanjiroh said to himself, silently amused. He continued to hum as he opened the gates, and dumped the trash at the usual spot. "Ah, there," Nanjiroh muttered. He turned, and tripped over something, almost falling head over heels down the road. Nanjiroh turned, staring at whatever that tipped him. "Who put this here...!" Nanjiroh said irritably, chewingt he cigarette in between his lips. Then he frowned.

His son was lying against the wall outside the house. His racket bag was beside him, and he was still in his tennis wear. Nanjiroh found it strange. Why was this brat sitting outside here? And still in his tennis wear? "Haha, you think you can scare me, huh? You want a match, Ryoma?" Nanjiroh asked, grinning. "You didn't have to do this just to get a match you know..."

There was no reply. Nanjiroh's grin broadened. "Oi, Ryoma? What's wrong? Cat's got your tongue? Mada mada daze." Nanjiroh knew that saying that catchphrase will get Ryoma all flared up and determined again, no matter how cocky he was that night. There was still no answer. The smile disappeared from the old man's face, and he kneeled down beside his son, tapping on Ryoma's shoulder. "Oi, shounen!" Nanjiroh said. Ryoma's head hung down, his black hair covering his face. "Ryoma?" Naniroh asked again. Then he spat out his cigarette, lifting Ryoma's chin so that his son's face came into clear view. Ryoma's eyes were closed, his cheeks flushed. "Oi, stop sleeping. Ryoma!" Nanjiroh said, shaking Ryoma's shoulders, but the boy didn't wake up. "You're burning up! What's wrong? Ryoma!" Nanijiroh yelled. Then Nanjiroh knew something was wrong. He swept the boy up into his arms, and rushed back into the house.

"RINKO!" Nanjiroh yelled. "Call the family doctor! Our son..." Nanjiroh cried. Rinko rushed out of the kitchens, and seeing Ryoma's limp form in her husband's arms, she gave a small cry. "What's going on!? Bring him upstairs, the doctor will be here, I'll call him!"

"Nanako! Bring some water and a cloth!"

"Unnnh..." Ryoma opened his eyes. His head was throbbing badly, and he was aware that he was lying in bed, and Karupin and at the foot of his bed, snuggling against the soles of his feet. He was tucked in carefully, and a wet cloth was placed on his forehead. A small plastic basin of water was beside him. Ryoma pulled the cloth off his head and sat up groggily. He was feeling weak all over, and wondered how he ended up in bed. He was in his pajamas too. The door to his room opened. Ryoma looked up. It was his cousin, Nanako. "Ryoma! You woke up!" Nanako exclaimed, hurrying over to adjust Ryoma's pillow so that Ryoma didn't need to spend so much energy trying to sit up. Then Nanako placed a warm hand on his forehead. "Oh, your temperature had gone down... that is so good... what happened?" Nanako asked worriedly.

Ryoma was confused himself. "What happened? Wait... why am I here?" Ryoma asked. Nanako sighed. "You were lying outside the house! Leaning against the wall! Oh, Mr Echizen found you went he went to take out the trash for the night. When he tried to wake you up, you didn't respond, and you were burning up with a fever! He was practically shouting like mad last night! We called in the doctor!"

"I... I don't know..." Ryoma lied. He actually remembered what happened before he passed out, of course. But... how is he going to tell that to his family? It just didn't make sense. Its best to keep quiet for now... and hunt that stupid team down who landed him in this state. Ryoma was angry. But now's not the time. He felt weak... that intense pain on his back on the right side, it must've been something that sedated him. Ryoma then waved Nanako away. "I... I want to rest. Let me rest," Ryoma told her in a small voice. Nanako nodded, understanding. "Alright, I'll leave you here then. Anything, call me, okay?" Nanako said, and exited.

Ryoma plonked back down into the pillow, and stared up at the ceiling. Now this was something he was seriously going to tell Tezuka. Those people are going to get it for this. Especially Rei Asamura.

EXAMS! SO SHORT UPDATE!! R&R PLEASE~!