Ryoma used to think that Ponta could do anything. But over the years he found out there were things it could do there, things it couldn't do, and things that actually worked better than Ponta. Some sprinkled in Ryosaku

A/N: A completely random one-shot, forgive me. On another note I'm sorry if the title Box of Kittens is misleading, it only pertains to the first chapter. This was first intended to be a one-shot and turned into a series of one-shots. I will change the title if you guys want. But doesn't Box of Kittens sound like a metaphor, it's like a kitten is symbolic of a one-shot. You know because they're cute, usually sweet, little, and hate water. But if it's too confusing I will change it.

The first time he tasted the drink Ryoma Echizen knew that it was magical. It was delicious, refreshing to his parched mouth and sweet to his deprived taste buds. Just like that he felt better.

Only a few seconds ago the sun felt unbearably hot, he was panting and sweaty all over. Now this simple drink made him forget about all of that. It was inconceivable for a five year old to comprehend.

He skimmed the labeling of the can before gulping down the rest. And with the energy boost he eagerly grabbed his racquet, twisted his cap to the side, and put on a smirk ready for another match against his samurai-baka of a father.

Five year old Ryoma found out that Ponta was wonderful for solving the problem of thirst while playing tennis. In short it made you feel better.

***XXX***

"What happened?" Ryoma asked curiously to Ryoga who was clutching his leg in pain. The older boy wasn't too keen on letting his little cousin see something so gory; actually he had no such reservations. Being caught crying by a six-year was not something Ryoga wanted to be a part of. After running straight into the pole where he didn't see the metal sticking out, his calf pierced brutally and was now bleeding out. Ryoga winced unable to respond to his adopted brother with all the pain coursing through him.

Ryoma frowned watching his older brother; it was obvious the boy was in pain. But unlike his mother Ryoma didn't have any of the things she put on him to make the pain stop. Although now that he thought about it… with a smug smile that could only be attributed to being an Echizen the boy trotted away. He reappeared carrying a grape Ponta can; Ryoga paid him no heed trying to pull himself together to just stand up.

"This will make you feel better." Ryoma declared before pouring the drink directly on the open wound.

"F***!"

That's when Ryoma found out that Ponta, although delightfully delicious, couldn't cure physical injuries. He also learned some colorful new vocabulary.

***XXX***

"Ponta." Ryoma told the flight attendant easily. She blinked at him, he raised his eyebrow questionably.

"Ah, excuse me sir?"

"Ponta." Ryoma repeated levitating on the edge of annoyance; he fully splashed in when the woman wore the same clueless look. She noticed though and nodded quickly before turning to her cart and looking through the labels. She carefully poured out a drink and set it on his tray without looking at him before turning away to the next person in the aisle.

Ryoma practically glared at the amber colored drink in front of him. What was this? It sure as hell wasn't the Ponta he wanted. Although he cursed to himself silently when he realized he forgot to mention he wanted grape flavored Ponta. On the other hand that should have been obvious, why would you get a flavor other than grape. In any case she had totally BS'd what drink to give him, obviously she was incompetent.

Tentatively he picked up the cup and swirled the liquid slowly in a circle as if it were a deadly poison. He lifted up the cup and took a sip. He paused for a moment, before scarmbling for the up-chuck bag in the seat in front of him. He

Ryoma learned at that moment that he should always carry around a spare Ponta, at all times. He also learned to never trust a flight attendent, ever.

***XXX***

Ryoma reached for one can, and then another, and then another, and then another. He couldn't stop; he had to down the liquid as quickly as possible. He was too preoccupied with this mission to notice the locker room door open.

"Echizen?" Ryoma didn't look up as he recognized Fuji's voice; there was no time for his senpai and his sadistic jabs. He reached for two more cans.

"Do you mind me asking what you are doing?" the tensai politely questioned. The freshman ignored him. The pile of trashed cans in the corner of the room was growing larger and larger, and Ryoma couldn't care less.

Fuji watched his kouhai with growing curiosity, "Saa, Echizen. That can't be good for you."

"Mphmf." was all the boy managed to say in response before gulping down another can. After a few more moments Fuji's azure eyes opened in understanding and his lips tilted with a knowing smile.

"I see, you were the test subject for Inui's new drink."

Echizen learned that approximately 45 cans of Ponta could negate the taste of Inui Juice. He dare not find out how many it would take with the deluxe version.

***XXX***

If there was one thing that Ryoma had learned from his father in the subject of females, although frankly the only piece of advice that didn't make Ryoma ashamed at having Nanjirou as a father, it was that in no circumstances were you to make a girl cry. Ever.

So after watching the flying pigtails whoosh past him, and hearing the labored breathing of sobs Ryoma realized he had done something wrong. And after the initial shock at seeing the apparent hordes of people stalking him and then getting scolded by the stalkers, Ryoma thought it necessary to fix his mistake.

Although he didn't know how he would manage that. First of all he hardly made mistakes, thus making him inexperienced in the art of fixing them. And second of all he really, truly didn't say anything that would make a girl cry. He was placid, not cruel. All he did was make a simple comment, and then she cries. Really, it's either blushing or crying with that girl.

Without really meaning to Ryoma found himself in front of a vending machine. And before he could stop himself he pressed the button for his usual drink. With the Ponta can he set off to find Wobbly Hips. Maybe that was it, she was crying because of how bad she was at tennis. Well she wasn't good at it, but still…

Before he could divulge further he found her standing by herself with her head downward. He paused for a moment simply staring at her. He slowly moved towards her till he was right next to her. Ryoma placed the can in front of her.

"Want one?"

He watched her look at the can, and then at him back and forth with a tinge of amusement. She did eventually take the drink from him. Ryoma silently observed her, she already seemed to be feeling better. He had barely said anything.

Ryoma figured out that giving a girl Ponta was better than trying to talk to her, and that was how he'd approach future situations. Much later in the future Ryoma discovered just how freakin dense he was a kid.

***XXX***

Ryoma slowly reached the vending machines. While searching the buttons his back was pelted with drops of rain. Finally he slipped in some money and pressed one of the buttons. As soon as the cool metal of the can touched his fingers Ryoma wasted no time in opening the drink. He started chugging it immediately.

Why hadn't they picked me?

He forcefully pulled his cap back down, covering his face in shadows.

Aren't I the best out of everyone else?

He tilted the can higher.

Why was that seaweed head picked instead?

His grip on the metal object tightened.

What did I do wrong?

It took a while but Ryoma eventually pulled the drink away from his lips. He licked his lips trying to remember the taste, nothing. He stared at the can blankly.

That day Ryoma found out that not even Ponta could help heal the pain of rejection.

***XXX***

Before he could really comprehend what he was doing, Ryoma leaned in close enough to feel the heat from her growing blush warm his face. And just like that his focus was on the petal pink lips centimeters away from his. With little hesitation he closed the gap and pressed his lips against hers holding them in that position for a few, long seconds before pulling back.

Ryoma learned then that there was something sweeter than the grape flavored soda he adored so much. And oddly enough it had a hint of strawberry.

***XXX***

Tezuka took in a breath hesitantly as his fingers once again found their way to grazing his arm. He grimaced waiting for an eruption of pain, and when he didn't feel it Tezuka felt this odd sense of relief. It was a nice feeling, and the captain couldn't wait to feel it again on the tennis courts.

At this thought the usually stoic boy glanced beside him at a table filled with get well gifts. A vase brimming with flowers from his coach and her granddaughter (who also stashed a pile of delicious bentos under his bed so he could avoid eating the horrendous hospital food, he would have to personally thank her), a empty glass that had contained Inui's juice before a nurse tossed It out in the toxic waste disposal (he was having second thoughts about containing to allow his team to drink the substance, a voucher for free sushi from Kawamura, a get well card personally designed by Eiji, some balloons brought in by Oishi, a tennis ball with everyone's well wishes, and lastly (and for some reason his favorite) a picture taken by Fuji of the entire team.

Tezuka stared at the gift and allowed a small, faint smile drift on his lips. He was allowed to let his guard down because no one else was in the room, plus it was locked. While he refused to ascribe a specific feeling to the situation he did know it was pleasant. And anything pleasant was worth smiling for, albeit in private and preferably away from a certain sadistic tensai's camera.

He was about to lay back down to get some rest when his eyes caught a familiar figure behind the picture frame of the team. Tezuka frowned before reaching for it, a can of grape flavored Ponta. Written neatly on the can in sharp, black letters was: Get better Buchou

And as if the universe was collapsing into itself, Tezuka smiled for the second time in one day.

The next day Ryoma learned from a screaming nurse that recovering patients shouldn't be drinking soda in hospitals. He also learned from a security camera inside each patients' room (that was easily accessible with Inui as you senpai) that Ponta could perform miracles.

"Your whole duty as a writer is to please and satisfy yourself, and the true writer always plays to an audience of one." ~ William Strunk

And that is why I wrote this. I realize this wasn't particularly funny, or particularly touching, or particularly anything. I just really wanted to write this. While reviews of appreciation are always fantastic, I do admit that this one-shot was written to please only myself. Oh and after reading this I discovered the events aren't in order, so yeah I know. Anyway, next chapter will once again be an attempt to be funny. Would you guys rather see Haunted House with Hyotei OR How to be a Capitan? I'm thinking the former, but you guys decide. I'll update as soon as I get some reviews.

P.S(SPOILER ALERT): By the way, if you guys hadn't heard already there is apparently going to be a new prince of tennis anime that is going to be based off of the manga going on right now. I don't know how official this is, but if it's true then…FINALLY. I don't know about you but I think this anime will be epic, Yukimura vs. Sanada, Shiraishi and Akaya as doubles partners…it'll just be great. And you know Yukimura, Shiraishi, and Fuji are sharing a dorm room in the manga? God help me there needs to be a camera set up in there. Uh, sorry this was so long.