Never Ever

By: Dyaoka

Disclaimer: I don't own the Prince of Tennis.

Notes/Warnings: Y! Groups version. Yes, yes. Note at the bottom. Warning? Confusion. Duh.

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Part One

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One dark haired boy walked soundlessly through the pristine white halls of the hospital several blocks away from his home. His father had injured his back just a few moments before and the boy, Echizen Ryoma, was complied to take him there.

"Stupid old man...can't even take care of himself" the boy grumbled as he pushed opened a numberless door which he presumed was the stairs. Apparently it was not the stairs, since he ended up in a room, larger than many of the others he's seen.

"Who's there?" asked a curious voice.

"No one. Sorry" Ryoma muttered, ready to leave.

"Stay!" the voice said again. Ryoma's eyes darted to the silhouette behind the curtained bed.

"Why?" Ryoma asked.

"Because it's boring by myself, nya! Come, Ochibi-chan, come talk with me!"

Ryoma narrowed his eyes. Not only was it an insult to call him, Echizen Ryoma, 'Ochibi-chan,' but for a stranger to call him so was even more disturbing. But since the boy saw no harm in it, and that he had nothing to do even if he went home, Ryoma walked over next to the curtained bed. "What do you want?" Ryoma asked coldly.

"I told you, nya. Someone to talk to! It's so boring...especially when no one's here to talk to you! They don't even come in through the door...and I can't leave either, nya. Wouldn't you be bored too, Ochibi-chan?" the stranger asked. Ryoma had the feeling the person was beaming quite happily.

"Why can't you leave?" Ryoma asked. He glanced around the room. It was completely like all the other hospital rooms completed with a small desk, chair and bed. But the oddest thing about the room was the occasional cobweb that hung around the corners of the room, like it's never been used. A fine layer of dust had collected on the floor and Ryoma saw his own footprints upon them. "How long have you been here?" Ryoma asked, noting that there were cobwebs even on the corners of the desk and chair.

The person behind the curtain was silent for a moment and then answered; "I don't remember...But I've been here for a long, long time..."

Ryoma started to reach for the curtain that wound itself around the bed when the person cried out; "No! Don't! Don't do that..."

Ryoma frowned. "Why not? You obviously need to get out of here. Everything is in a layer of dust. I think that the hospital staff forgot about you."

"I...I guess, nya" the person said. "But usually there would be something in front of my door, preventing me from getting out...and anyone from coming in. How did you get in?"

"What are you talking about?" Ryoma asked, walking back over to the door, ready to open it. "Look here, there was nothing in front of the door."

The figure looked away, towards the window. "You should go, Ochibi-chan. There's something coming..." The figure turned back, and for the first time through the thick curtains, Ryoma was able to take a glimpse of deep blue eyes that were almost the color of violet. "I'm Kikumaru Eiji, by the way. Give me your name before you go...and visit me again, Ochibi-chan."

"Echizen Ryoma. And I'm not a...Ochibi-chan" came the cool reply. Ryoma quickly opened the door and stepped out of the room, feeling quite disturbed. Closing the door behind him and shaking his head, clearing all his thoughts, Ryoma walked from Kikumaru Eiji's room back home. But never once did his mind leave the numberless door.

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To Be Continued

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