Never Ever

By: Dyaoka

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

Notes/Warnings: Ah...we approach the near-conclusion of the short 5-parter. And sadly, I must regret to inform you that the next chapter will be a...surprise...It's a good thing, trust me...ok, DON'T trust me, actually. Don't trust me on this. ;) This is a short chapter. I know. Haha. And be prepared to be...I don't know. Confused?

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Part Four

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Ryoma was a little more than disturbed when the old nurse left the room. Looking at his watch, the boy decided to wait five minutes before leaving as well. Even though his mother had tol dhim not to wander around, Ryoma apologized mentally to her. However, a sudden thought occurred to the boy. If the old nurse was wandering around the halls, he just might need something to protect himself.

Unfortunately, he had to change out of his normal clothes and into hospital wear, which consisted of nothing but a flimsy gown. Ryoma scowled. "Whatever..." he muttered to no one in particular.

Slowly, Ryoma crept out into the darkened halls of the hospital, walking slowly towards the numberless door at the end of the fifth floor. There was no one around and his small, timid steps echoed loudly. Ryoma gulped, feeling his heart at his throat. He didn't know why, but he felt very disturbed...

He felt like he was watched.

Casting a glance around, he realized that no one was there. Frowning slightly, the dark haired boy quickly tipped-toed over to the numberless door and rapped gently against it. Suddenly, it swung opened and out stepped the old nurse.

"I knew you'd be back. I warned you, boy, did I not?" she said grimly, taking Ryoma by the ears and dragging him into the room forcefully. "You shouldn't be here, boy. Not unless you want to be like him..." She threw Ryoma to the floor with surprising strength for a old granny. The thick layers of dust flew when Ryoma hit the ground, making an imprint of where he landed. Groaning a bit, Ryoma looked up at the bed he had fallen in front of. The curtains were once again drawn around the bed and Ryoma could see the silhouette of his friend leaning against the window. "He is trapped...and he knows it. I warned you to never become like him, boy..." the nurse whispered into Ryoma's ear.

The hair on Ryoma's neck seemed to stand on end when he heard that said by the old nurse. Setting her lips into a line, she threw the curtains around Eiji's bed aside and tossed Ryoma onto it like he was a rag doll. The red head didn't even turn from the window to look over at the disturbance. It was like it wasn't even happening.

"You two can stay here till doomsday for all I care. I warned the both of you, you know. I warned both of you..." the old nurse shook her head as if in sorrow, shielding her eyes from the onlooker. She looked like she was crying. "It's a miracle, kitten, how you are still alive and sane." The old nurse quickly walked out of the room and the door knob shut with a sound click, an indication that it had been locked. There was some scraping sound that lasted for a few moments and then, all was silent. Ryoma risked a look over at the silent red head.

"Are you...alright?" Ryoma asked after what seemed to be an eternity of silence.

Eiji was silent for a few moments and then he answered in a soft, haunted voice. "You came back sooner than I expected, Ochibi-chan." Slowly, he turned around and fixed Ryoma with a tired, but piercing stare. The half moon behind Eiji was enough to make it seem like his deep azure colored eyes were glowing a soft pale hue in the dark. But it seems that Ryoma was not the only one to be paying attention to the other's eyes. "Ochibi-chan's eyes are peculiar," Eiji said. "They look like ores of gold."

The dark haired boy was suddenly glad for the darkness. A small tinge of red somehow made its way across his cheeks.

"Whatever," Ryoma muttered. "What we need to focus on is how to get out of here."

Eiji once again shifted his gaze out the window. "It's starting to rain again, nya..." Eiji said in a rather bored tone.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Ryoma demanded. "We have to figure out how to get out of the room!"

"What do you suppose we do, then?" Eiji asked. "Nya, we're on the fifth floor and the window can't be broken. It's shatter proof with two layers of glass for protection. THe doors are locked and the walls are solid as hell. What do you propose, Ochibi-chan? This is like a cell...a prison cell."

Ryoma thought hard for a moment, unconsciously leaning against the red head as he did so. A thought came to mind rather quickly.

"Mada mada dane."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"I have an idea."

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To Be Continued
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