The meet up

Ryoma couldn't believe it, his older brother is also at the same place where he is right now and he didn't even noticed it. Not that it matters but one thing that Ryoma was shock and at the same time angry about was because Ryoga kidnapped Sakuno. The tennis prince clenched his hands thinking of the possible things his older brother might do to Sakuno, just then his attention was caught when he heard someone calling him.

"Echizen, did you find any clues as to where Ryuzaki-chan is?" Fuji asked as he tapped Ryoma's right shoulder. The tennis prince turned around and nodded. Fuji looked at him and nodded, "then let's call the others."

It was not long enough when all the regulars and Coach Ryuzaki gathered in one room, they were all sitting trying to calm down from what just happened. Finally, Coach Ryuzaki spoke up. "Echizen, is it true you found a clue to where my granddaughter is? Where is Sakuno?" she asked worriedly.

Ryoma spoke but only looked at the table, "I can't tell you all the details...but...the kidnapper said we'll meet up at 9 pm, I should meet him alone or else something might happen to Ryuzaki."

Upon hearing the statement, Coach Ryuzaki cried. "My poor Sakuno! Why did this have to happen to her?!" she cried hysterically and Oishi tried to comfort her.

"So are you just gonna follow what that kidnapper told you, Echizen? What if it's a set-up?" Momoshiro asked and Ryoma looked up.

"Of course...but it's not like I'm just gonna do this alone, I need everyone's help" Ryoma said and everyone was surprised for a bit.

"Eh? I thought you'll say of course I'll do it alone..." Momo asked suprised which earned him a smack in the head by Kaidoh. "Hey that hurts you bastard!" Momoshiro shouted angrily to Kaidoh and the latter only glared at him.

"So what do you have in mind Echizen?" Fuji asked and Ryoma looked at him, "I'll meet him up like what is told but...you all should position yourself near the area where we will be meeting. If possible be careful not to get caught or Ryuzaki might get hurt. I will give you a signal as to when you all will come out of your hiding place."

The others looked at him and nodded, Ryoma smiled.

It was 30 minutes before 9 and everyone hide in their assigned places near the tennis court. There was no one playing at the place and the wind at night was cold, the only light that was brightening the place were the ones on the tennis court as well. "A-achoo!" Momo shouted as his whole body shivers from the cold.

"Shhh!" Kaidoh immediately shot back to Momoshiro.

"Ok, ok. Geez! I don't know what that stupid kidnapper thinks but meeting at this time of night is really crazy. Damn, I'm gonna die from the cold here" Momo said and sigh.

"But Momo, everyone is wearing their jackets right now…why did you only wear a white shirt?" Eiji asked as everyone looked at Momoshiro.

"Argh, alright. It's half my fault for wearing only a shirt but seriously it's still cold" Momo replied and hugged himself tightly.

"Everyone be quiet and stay focused. Echizen is doing his job so please do yours too" Tezuka said and everyone replied, "Yes."

Ryoma dressed in his red and white jacket, paired with his black shorts and white tennis stood on the center of the court patiently waiting for his brother to come out.

When the clock striked 9, someone dressed in black sweatsuit came out behind from one of the trees and went towards Ryoma. As soon as the tennis prince heard footsteps coming near him, he slightly rose up his head. "Where is she?" Ryoma asked looking at the hooded guy standing right in front of him.

"Relax...she's fine," Ryoga answered with a smirk.

"Che, just give me Ryuzaki and you can talk to me whatever you want to talk about" Ryoma answered glaring at his older brother.

"Haha, I said just to relax...I guess she's really someone important for you to get angry like this...chibisuke" Ryoga said still smiling.

"Enough! Just give me Ryuzaki...she has nothing to do with this Nii-san!" Ryoma shouted and grabbed Ryoga's jacket.

"Nii-san?!" Momo said softly and the others were also surprised, "that means that guy is Ryoma's older brother...Ryoga?"

"I'm sorry chibisuke...I can't give her back yet, my master specifically said that I need to get and bring her to him" Ryoga said calmly, "You know that master of mine...he doesn't really share anything to me but what I know of is that Sakuno-chan is someone really important to him too."

"...Then...can you promise me one thing?" Ryoma said while releasing the grip he has with his older brother. "Don't do anything bad to her...if it's possible, please let me accompany her."

Ryoga laughed, "you're so funny right now chibisuke. It's not like you at all! Have you fallen for her now? I can't do that but let me give you some time to see her." Ryoga looked at the tree behind him, "Ne, why don't you come out for now missy?"

After saying those words, Sakuno got out from the tree, blindfolded and still wearing her outfit this morning. She slowly walked towards Ryoga. "Ne, it seems my little brother wants to talk to you for a bit Sakuno-chan" Ryoga said as he came closer to the young girl.

Sakuno immediately shivered as she felt Ryoga's breath near her right ear. "Little brother? anou...I don't know who you're talking about," Sakuno spoke nervously.

"Relax Ryuzaki...it's me" the tennis prince said and Sakuno replied, "Ryoma-kun?! What are you doing here?"

Ryoma sigh, "Just checking if you're alright. Anyway Ryuzaki, don't follow my stupid Nii-san's words and remember that Coach Ryuzaki and the others are worried about you right now."

Sakuno nodded while Ryoga laughed, "Ne chibisuke that's so mean. I'm only doing my work, relax ok? I promise I'll return her unharmed after my master meet her. Besides I don't break any promises...well not like you."

"Did he found out we are here as well?" Oishi asked and Fuji replied "Let's hope not."

"What do you mean Nii-san?" Ryoma asked calmly.

"Chibisuke, you are not good at pretending you know. Geez, why don't you tell your teammates to just come out of their hiding places right now. Anyway, me and Sakuno-chan here will be leaving already anytime now" Ryoga said and Ryoma replied, "so you noticed."

"What are we gonna do now?" Momo asked and Fuji replied, "Let's do what he says."

Everyone come out of their hiding places and only looked at Ryoga angrily. Ryoga laughed and said sarcastically, "Don't look at me like that, haha. You're scaring me...ne, Sakuno-chan better say your goodbye for now."

Sakuno looked down, "anou...I'm sorry everyone. You came here because I couldn't protect myself. I'm so sorry I'm helpless but...but, don't worry because I'll definitely return with you all." Sakuno looked up and smiled forcibly afterwards. "I guess it's goodbye for now..." she said and Ryoma looked at her trying to read her.

A black van suddenly came and Ryoga smiled, "well bye for now. Let's go Sakuno-chan...and oh, chibisuke. Dont do anything rash ok?" he looked at Ryoma and mouthed the words "or you'll never see her again."

"Why you!" Momo said and tried to catch Ryoga to punch him but Kaidoh stopped him.

Ryoma's hands clenched into a fist as Ryoga looked at him with a smirked, he then turn around and lead Sakuno to where the van is waiting while waving slowly at Ryoma and his teammates. Ryoga and Sakuno entered the black van, the young girl looked blindly towards where Ryoma and the others were standing. She smiled and said "I'm so sorry" to them as tears slowly fell down her cheeks.

The van began to leave and Ryoma looked down to the ground thinking how helpless he was on her situation, "damn it" he said softly to himself and left the court. Everyone only looked at the van leaving while Fuji looked at Ryoma's retreating figure.

To be continued...