You Are Not Alone

Author Note: Well, here's my second attempt at a story! Hopefully this one is at least semi-good. Sorry if it's not, I still suck at writing, so… yeah. Oh yeah and don't worry, Atobe's not in the story yet, but he will be! Just you wait! Well, hope you enjoy the fanfic! :D

P.S. Some of the things in the story might not make sense, but it's my story so it doesn't matter! Lol
Oh yeah, and everyone's in high school now so the tennis team has a different coach now, but he/she probably won't ever be mentioned, so… yeah.
Kay, have fun reading!

Prince of Tennis is not mine, no characters or catch phrases they may use are my ideas, strictly the plot!

"talking"

'thinking'

flashback

December 1st

Ryoma stood there in the rain, looking down at the two gravestones before him. The funeral had just ended and it was time he headed home. Everyone who attended had already left.

"Okaa-san…Otou-san…why?" he whispered brokenly, "Why'd you have to leave me all alone? Why?" he headed towards his house, ignoring the fact it was raining.

~Flashback~

November 22nd

"Seishonen, we'll see you in December! Take care of the house! Ja ne!" Nanjiroh called to his son as he entered the taxi. "Hurry up Rinko, we're gonna be late!"

"Hai, hai, calm down love." Rinko turned back towards her son, "Bye sweetie, we'll call you when we get there, okay? Love you. Be safe!" Rinko turned towards the taxi and seated herself next to Nanjiroh. They both waved out the windows saying goodbye.

"Che. All for a week in Malibu, stupid Oyaji just had to go and enter that contest. Hn. Well I have the house to myself now… where's Karupin?" Ryoma went looking for Karupin and four hours later found her laying on a pile of… magazines... his dad's magazines. "Oyaji…" Ryoma sighed to himself, he picked up Karupin and then picked up the magazines and through them in the trash. "Let's go watch tv Karupin."

"Meowr!" Karupin agreed.

Ryoma settled down on the couch with his beloved cat in his lap. He stroked Karupin while flipping through channels and stopped on a news program, face contorted in shock.

"A plane crash happened today approximately 30 minutes ago. The two planes that were involved were flight 804 to Malibu, California and flight 672 to Tokyo, Japan. There were no survivors, as both planes blew up from the impact and then…"

Ryoma tuned out the rest, frozen in place. 'Flight 804… Malibu… Okaa-san… Otou-san…' Ryoma didn't know what to do. The next thing he knew it was dark out and the doorbell was ringing. He put up a mask of indifference on his face and went to open the door. Upon opening the door he came face to face with two police officers standing there. One officer was short with brown hair while the other one was tall with black hair.

"Hello, are you Echizen Ryoma?" the taller one spoke.

Ryoma already knew what was coming so answered in a monotone voice. "Hai."

"We regret to inform you that you're parents were in a plane crash… they didn't make it."

Ryoma wanted so badly to just break down, right then and there, but his pride prevented him from doing such a thing. He sighed, "Yes, I watched the news a little while ago, what should I do now?"

The officers were shocked that this kid had taken things so well, almost too well, but didn't show it on their faces. The taller one spoke again, "Well, their wills stated that no matter your age you will get everything of theirs: the house, money, everything. You will also be allowed to continue living in the house by yourself, if you so choose. So what'll it be?"

Ryoma didn't need to think hard about it, of course he was going to continue living here, it was his parents house, they're home."I'll keep living here." he said in a monotone voice.

The shorter officer began talking and handed him a bunch of things. "Alright then, here's everything you need: the deed to the house, credit cards, one to each of your parents bank accounts and one they had made for you, any extra information they deemed you must know, such as pin numbers, and the keys to the house. Also you'll need to prepare funeral arrangements. That's everything, so we'll be going."

"Hai, ja ne." Ryoma closed the door and locked it, sliding to his knees, back against the door. "Seems I have things to do…" he whispered somberly, a lone tear making its way down his face.

~Flashback End~

Ryoma had made it back to his house and headed straight up to his room, to tired to eat, ignoring the fact that he was dripping wet. On the way he past Karupin and scooped her up into his arms.

"Ne Karupin, guess it's just you and me now, huh."

"Meowr…"

"Yeah, I guess we should get to bed, I have to go back to school starting tomorrow… sorry I have to leave you here while I'm at school."

"Meowr!" Karupin speaks giving her master a lick on the nose. Ryoma gives her a small smile that doesn't touch his eyes.

"Thanks for understanding. Well, let's head to bed now."

"Meow."

Ryoma headed upstairs deciding to just head to bed, ignoring the fact he was drenched and uncomfortable. He just wanted to get to bed, so much had happened in such a short amount of time and he was tired… so tired. He slumped onto his bed, Karupin still in his arms, and gazed out the window. He pet Karupin softly, gazing out at the full moon and the star filled sky.

"…Oyasumi, Okaa-san…Otou-san…" Ryoma whispered, gazing out the window as tears left his eyes. "…I love you…" with that Ryoma turned onto his side, closed his eyes, and let sleep take hold of him.

Tomorrow would be a day filled with sadness and lots of acting. The Seigaku regulars didn't know anything about what had happened, about his parents passing or him now living alone with Karupin. And Ryoma was going to make sure it stayed like that. He didn't want anyone's pity. He didn't need it. He didn't want to look into eyes filled with emotions that he himself had felt and are still feeling. He could feel them himself. He didn't want people saying things to comfort him when they don't mean it. He didn't need false comfort. He could take care of himself, and he would. He had Karupin… and that's all he needed.

Really… only Karupin.

Author Note: Well… what'd you think? Probably wasn't the best and sorry it's so short, but I'm still not much of a writer, so you'll have to deal for now. Let me know how it was! And I'm always looking for anything I should fix, so let me know, just be nice about it please!