A/N: Sorry for the extremely long wait!! Real life has kept me busy but I'm sure you prefer just getting to the fic so enjoy! And thanks to everyone who reviewed!

Disclaimer: Don't own Prince of Tennis.

Chapter 3

Ryoma Echizen was currently listening to the dial tone on his latest cell phone. It had now been three days since he had seen any sign of his contract or Fuji Syusuke and while that should be cause to celebrate, he was starting to panic.

His mother had left a message on his voicemail yesterday in a shaky voice telling him to leave Japan now. When he called her back, he just got voicemail. His father's number had been disconnected both work and his personal cell. His missing staff was still an open case with the Tokyo police, and with the empty mansion so quiet both he and Karupin jumped at every loud noise. He had contemplated hiring a new staff or invited a girl or two over for some company but the thought of Fuji popping up out of the blue and "disappearing" more people ruined that idea. He was not going to assist the self-professed demon in murder.

But he did need his help. There was only one more day until the week that Tezuka had given him ended. Since the police had his passport because of murder suspect charges, there would be no escaping tomorrow's events. Except now he didn't even have the damn contract which caused all this. Which was why he was listening to the dial tone on his cell, staring at the little white business card in his hand, finger poised over the little green send button, willing the courage to finish the call. Then he blinked. "I'm not a wimp." he muttered under his breathe and pushed down on the green button.

"Don't." the stern voice came from directly behind him and all Ryoma could do was choke down a gasp as a strong pair of arms reached around his waist and one large, warm hand wrapped around his, forcing him into closing his cell.

"Tezuka," Ryoma whispered as the suit behind him skillfully navigated the cell out of his closed fist. Once the phone was gone, the warm embrace he had been a part of ended abruptly, Tezuka obviously stepping back to respect the other boy's space. Echizen swung around in time to see Tezuka across the room, gently placing his cell phone on a coffee table.

"You had no right to stop me from making that call," Ryoma glared at the taller man, now that the shock had ended he was furious.

"It was for the good of both you and Fuji, Echizen-kun. There are things you don't understand now. But you will soon." Tezuka explained vaguely.

"I understand just fine Tezuka Kunimitsu. You broke into my house and stole my cell phone. You've threatened me last week and now a man that promised to help me has yet to contact me. You haven't done anything to Fuji-san, have you Tezuka?" Ryoma asked suspiciously.

The brunette sighed and reached for the briefcase he had dropped on the floor earlier. "Fuji is just fine Echizen-kun. Your concerns for him are unwarranted. No one could do anything to him that he doesn't ask for first. As for his assistance, I have already informed him that you will not be requiring that at this time. And this is yours." A stack of white papers were handed to Ryoma and he shuddered before hesitantly accepting his contract back.

"I believe everything is now back in order," Tezuka stated as he closed up his briefcase, "I would just like to ask you to one, refuse any contact with Fuji Syusuke from now on and two, honor our previous request of returning to Seigaku Records tomorrow morning. To comply with our wishes we will be sending transportation tomorrow morning to pick you up at 9 am. Please be ready."

"Not happening." Ryoma refused, eyes glaring, arms crossed, willing the suit to do his worst.

"You don't have a choice Echizen-kun." Tezuka seemed to regret saying that as his eyes had softened, perhaps he was disappointed in Echizen but Ryoma could care less. This was his life and he had been enjoying it before this suit showed up. He wasn't going to let this man ruin everything he had worked for.

The singer strode across the room to stand in front of the suit, snatching his phone back from the table and opening it up again. When he saw the screen was blinking Ryoma let out a groan and tossed the cell into the suit's face. He had more than one phone in this mansion and if worse comes to worse he could go use a phone in town. But as he turned to leave Tezuka grabbed him again. "Until you get in the limo tomorrow, there won't be a phone in Japan that will work for you Echizen-kun," Tezuka calmly stated as he maintained a firm grip on his wrist.

"So what? I don't need Fuji-san. I'll hire my own lawyer and they'll sue your company and deal with any legal fees you hit me with tomorrow." Ryoma taunted as he tried to twist out of the older man's grip.

"This has nothing to do with fees Echizen. This contract is far more important than that. Haven't you figured that out yet?" Tezuka was definitely disappointed now.

"Then why don't you tell me what this is all about?" Ryoma demanded, frustrated that Tezuka was being so secretive.

"Tomorrow you'll find out everything. Until then, you need to trust me and wait." Tezuka's watch suddenly beeped and he glanced down at it, releasing his grip on Ryoma. Ryoma stumbled forward at the sudden release and swung around to find himself in an empty room. He shook his head at Tezuka's disappearing trick and glanced over to see both his cell phone and the contract neatly placed on the coffee table. Tezuka was nothing if not organized.

Echizen sat down in an armchair and thought about what had just happened. Unconsciously he rubbed his wrist as he thought since there was still a slight tingle from where Tezuka had grabbed him. Should he try calling Fuji-san? Should he take the limo if it came tomorrow? Should he trust Tezuka? Nothing made sense anymore and he didn't know who to trust.

Tbc…