Just As I Promised

Chapter 12 – Revelations II

Today's the day when Seigaku participates in the Kantou regionals and Rio's stuck in the hospital with a sullen look on her face. She looked outside her window and saw the regulars waving at her window and smiled. She waved back until they were out of sight. She slowly put her hand down and sighed. "I feel lonely…" Someone knocked, shaking her out of her thoughts. "Ah, come in!"

"I hope I'm not intruding anything, Echizen-chan." She smiled and shook her head.

"Oh, not at all, Yukimura-san! Do you want to come and sit next to me? I could use the company." The blue haired teen smiled and sat next to her. "So how are you, Yukimura-san?"

"Feeling a bit better, thank you for asking. And you?" Rio sighed and looked at her limp legs.

"I…still can't feel my legs. I'm scared to think that I might not be able to walk in the future…" She saw his hand grab hers and sadly smiled. "Thank you for your concern… I just wish I'm at the courts cheering them on."

"I feel the same way but for now we have to wait…"

…..

"Then Akaya was tricked into doing 100 laps." Yukimura said, making the female Echizen laugh. "That Niou…"

"Really? That's funny! Wow, it looks like you guys have fun in your club."

"From your stories, I say Seigaku has more fun than Rikkai." The door opened and in came a grinning Eiji with a bouquet of roses.

"Rio-chan! I have great news!" He slightly frowned to see Yukimura sitting next to her. He walked up to her and kissed her forehead. Rio lovingly smiled at him and gently touched the beautiful roses.

"These are beautiful, Ei-chan…" He smiled and let their noses touch. "Thank you…"

"Ahem." They blushed and Eiji reluctantly pulled back and gave a strained smile at the Child of God. "I'm sorry to interrupt your session but I must be leaving now."

'Why didn't you just leave without notice, nya?'

"Oh of course, Yukimura-san. Thank you for the company today." Rio said while bowing her head.

"No problem, Echizen-chan. If you'll excuse me," he nodded to Eiji, who forced a nod, and left the room. Eiji let out a sigh and raised an eyebrow at Rio.

"What? He keeps me company while you guys have school." He shrugged and smiled.

"Ne, ne, we won! Against Hyotei!" Rio smiled and hugged him.

"That's great! I want you tell me all the details." He shook his head and got out a tape. "No way…"

"Hehe, I asked Shiba-san for a copy earlier. Now we can both watch it together!"

When night came, Rinko opened door and smiled at the scene before her. She turned off the TV and pulled the blanket over the sleeping couple. "So when are the two of you going to tell us about your progress?" She giggled and got out some paperwork for her to work on. Ryoma entered the room and raised an eyebrow at his sister and senpai.

"I don't want to know…" Rinko looked up and chuckled.

"Your sister's growing up. Ahh, it feels like she's flying away from us."

"Yadda, I'll never let nee-chan go."

"Sooner or later you'll have to accept that, Ryoma."

"We're twelve, I still have her 'till she's sixteen." Rinko chuckled at her stubborn son and ruffled his black hair.

"Hai, hai, Ryoma. Now be quiet, they're still sleeping."

….

Rio sadly smiled at the photos being showed to her. It was the day when the regulars watched the sunset together. She sighed and closed the album. Fuji gently placed the small album back on the table next to her and grabbed her hand. "Any news on your legs?" Rio nodded.

"I don't have any problems on my spine so it's not that. The doctor said it might be the shock and that the feeling will come back soon."

"How about the wires?"

"I'm fine without it. They said I can be checked out if I come back every other week for a check-up. They want to monitor my legs." She wiped a lone tear from her face and looked outside. She saw Eiji with Oishi and Tezuka walking towards the hospital and slightly smiled.

"Saa, don't worry. We're still here, ne, Rio." She nodded and nodded at the people that came in. "Ah, Oishi, Tezuka, Eiji, you're here."

"Fujiko, why are you here?" Fuji pointed at the album.

"I wanted to show Rio our trip to watch the sunrise a few days ago." Oishi smiled and got out something from his bag.

"Here, Rio, we all chipped in and bought this teddy bear for you. It was Momo's idea." She saw all the messages on the bear and smiled.

"Arigatou, Oishi-senpai. Well, any reason you guys are here?" Tezuka cleared his throat and sat on the chair in front of her bed.

"I'm leaving for Germany in two days." Rio widened her eyes and clutched her knuckles tighter.

"It's for your shoulder, right, buchou?" He nodded and closed his eyes.

"I'll be back before Nationals, 'till then Oishi will be captain and you will be vice-captain."

"Wait, WHAT?" Everyone looked at their captain with disbelieving eyes. "Are you serious, buchou? Why couldn't you assign Fuji-senpai? He's more capable of being vice-captain!"

"Rio, since you're not playing in any games, this will be a way for you to vent your stress."

"Demo, I have Ryoma for that! Buchou, I can't take up your offer. Besides, many had already found out that there's a girl in Seigaku. I don't want ruin more of Seigaku's pride. "

"Which is exactly why you'll be vice-captain. You're the muse of Seigaku, as Rikkai had put it."

"Demo," she looked at her legs. "I still can't walk, let alone feel my legs. How am I going to fulfill my duties as temporary vice-captain?"

Tezuka stood up and got his bad. "You'll think of something. Yudan sezu ni ikou." And with that, he left with Oishi and Fuji following behind.

"Do you think it's wise to put her in that spot? I can handle being a captain without her."

"Iie, Rio has attributes that can help bring Seigaku to victory, whether or not she plays."

"And what are those attributes, Tezuka?" Fuji asked with his eyes open.

"You'll find out."

…..

Rio was being pushed by Momo to the tennis courts where many of the boys were glaring at her. She put her head down and felt her eyes start to water. "Oi, Rio-chan, don't mind them. You're our vice-captain now. You have more authority than us."

"But that's just it; I don't want to get special treatment."

They entered the courts with the members all lined up. Oishi patted her on the shoulder and smiled at everyone. "Everyone, meet our temporary vice-captain, Echizen Rio."

"Why her? She lied to all of us," Arai accusingly said. Rio sadly smiled and nodded.

"And for that I am truly sorry. But if I didn't lie, all of you would have been in grave danger. Ryoma would not be here if I didn't reveal myself to my kidnappers."

"Prove to us that you're truly sorry."

"I would if I could feel my legs. But I guess I won't hold a racket for a while and just watch you all from afar, how about that?"

"No!" All heads turned to face the freshmen trio. "Rio-san may have lied to us but she knows her stuff. Without her, all of us non-regulars would not have improved our tennis."

Ever since her arrival, Rio has worked with the non-regulars while the regulars practiced. She watched over their progress and encouraged them to continue. Even Arai has to admit that he has improved because of her.

Rio smiled and nodded to her fellow freshmen. "Thank you, guys but if they don't want any more help from me, then so be it."

"Rio-san!" She faced a second year with blue hair. "Please continue in helping us improve!"

"Ikeda!" Arai explained. A few more stepped up and bowed in front of her. When he saw that many of the members are staring at him, he sighed and smirked. "Fine, you win. Make Seigaku the best tennis club, ne?"

She her eyes lit up and gave everyone a big grin. "You got it!" Oishi stepped up and smiled.

"Ok, regulars, onto Block 1, Courts A and B. Second years on Block 2, Courts A and B, and First years on Block 2, Courts C and D."

"Hai!" As Eiji pushed her, Rio grabbed onto her chair for dear life. Fuji chuckled and faced Oishi.

"Do you think this is what Tezuka was talking about?" Oishi looked at the arguing couple and smiled.

"Yea, besides, don't those two have an announcement to make?"

"Ah that? Everyone already knows from their behavior. I doubt that they're trying to hide it."

They heard whining and sweatdropped at the sight of Eiji on the floor with a huge bump on his head and a fuming Rio wheeling herself to Block 2.

"Yup, they're not hiding it."

…

"Don't flick your wrists! It'll cause injury in the future!" Rio barked as she observed the non-regulars. "Make sure your grip on the racket is firm when you swing so it won't fly off." Kachirou walked up to her and shyly smiled.

"Rio-san, can you help me with my swing? After swinging for a while, my arm starts to ache." Rio smiled and nodded.

"Ok, show me your swing." Kachirou nodded and started swinging. She observed his swing and raised her hand for him to stop. "Hold your racket at the end so that it's easier for you to swing it. Don't flick your wrists and make sure that your stance is correct. Make sure you do proper warm-ups too, ok?" He smiled and nodded.

"Arigatou, Rio-fukubuchou!" She blushed and waved him off. Momo walked up to her and gave her a noogie.

"How's it going, Rio-fukubuchou?"

"Mou, Momo-senpai!" She pinched his arm and fixed her hair. He smiled and gave her her racket. "Huh?"

"Can you serve? I need to improve my backhand." She nodded and wheeled herself to the baseline. She picked up a ball from the basket and prepared to serve.

"You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be!" Rio nodded and gave him a slice serve. When Momo returned it, her hair flew crazily behind her. She looked behind her and saw that it was out.

"Senpai, don't use too much power unless you have the stamina for it so that your aim will be better." She served again and smiled when he didn't use as much power as he did before.

Training went on 'till everyone could see the sun set. Oishi smiled at Rio's joyful face and addressed everyone. "First years, pick up all the balls and clean the courts. Second years, clear the nets. See you all tomorrow."

Ryoma walked up to his sister and started pushing her home. Next to them were Momo and Eiji who were trying to convince them to go get some burgers with them. "Sure, if Eiji-senpai treats us." The said boy twitched and weakly smiled.

"How about we pay for our own food?"

"Yadda, if you'll excuse us." Rio was about to argue when Eiji stopped in front of them.

"Alright, alright, nya!" He grabbed the handles of Rio's wheelchair and gently turned her around. "I'll treat you guys."

Ryoma smirked and gave the powerhouse a high-five. "Hook, line and sinker." When they got to Wacdonalds, the two started a competition on who would eat the most, making their senior sigh as he stared at his wallet. They all sat at a table and went in their own businesses.

"Ne, Ei-chan, do you want some fries?" Rio asked as she took a bite out of her burger. She noticed how depressed Eiji looked and giggled. "Hai, hai, here's my half. Do you honestly expect me to make you pay for these two?" Eiji widened his eyes and tried to refuse the money.

"Demo, you shouldn't pay! You're the girl!"

"We're not on a date, Ei-chan." Once the word got out, Ryoma and Momo stopped eating and stared at the two arguing. "Look, when we're on a date, you can pay all you want, but if it involves two never-ending stomachs, I'll help pay."

"Are you and Eiji-senpai dating?" Momo asked after swallowing his food. With a blunt nod from both of them, he choked on his drink. "REALLY?"

"I thought you of all people would notice it. Everyone did and congratulated us." Rio said as she let a fry limp from her lips. Eiji smirked and kissed her, taking the fry from her. "Ei-chan!"

"Your fries taste better since they came from you, nya." She blushed and took a sip from her coke. After drinking, she gave it to Eiji who took a sip from it too. Ah, did I forget to tell everyone that they're sharing their food because of their empty pockets? Courtesy of Echizen Ryoma and Momoshiro Takeshi.

"By the way, Ririn," Rio twitched. "Why did those people kidnap you?" Eiji and Ryoma glared at the junior. "What?"

"Shh, Momo! It's still a touchy subject!" Eiji said.

"It's ok, Ei-chan. I don't mind anymore."

Flashback – A Year Ago

"Rio-chan, come on, open the door," her mother said as she heard her daughter's tears.

"Go away!"

"You have to eat, my dear. Please, open the door for your mother."

"Leave me alone!" Rio yelled, making her mother sigh. She placed tray of food on the floor and sadly looked at Rio's door.

Behind the door, she clutched her black tennis racket as she continued to cry. Rio looked out the window and saw that it was nearing sunset so she changed into her tennis clothes, which consisted of a pair of black shorts, grabbed her tennis bag and jumped out her window. She looked at her house and sighed. She ran to the nearest tennis courts and decided to hit some balls to release some stress.

"My, my if it isn't Rio Echizen," the said girl turned around and glared at the two kids.

"What do you want, CJ, Anna?" The girl smirked and ran her hand through Rio's short hair and pulled it. Rio winced and narrowed her eyes at the smug girl.

"Oh nothing, Rio, really, aren't we friends?"

"Does humiliating me in front of the whole grade mean friends?" She winced again as Anna pulled her hair. "Let go of me."

"Hm, let me think…no." Rio turned around and was about to hit her racket on Anna, when she smirked. She let all her knowledge and ethics on tennis fly from her mind and let revenge in.

"How about this? Let's play tennis; if I win, you stop humiliating me. If I lose, you can continue what you're doing now." CJ and Anna smirked at each other and nodded. "Oh by the way, I'll play both of you at once."

….

"Stop, Echizen!" CJ begged as he ducked another smash aimed at him. He was bruised all over and felt himself weaving in and out consciousness. He heard her laugh and widened his eyes as he felt the heavy ball hit his stomach.

"Rio, stop it!" Anna screamed as she watched CJ fall to the ground.

"As if I'll stop! I'm enjoying this!" Rio smirked and served, letting the ball twist and hit Anna's pretty little face. As she watched Anna clutch her face, she laughed and laughed until she felt her racket being taken away from her. She turned around and saw her father's glaring eyes. "Dad…"

"Rio, you know you shouldn't use tennis to bring pain to people! I taught you better!"

"But dad, they're the one that made me like this! They're the ones who've been making my life a living hell!"

"Quiet! Now, we're bringing them to the hospital and calling their parents. You better explain and hope that nothing else might happen."

Once they got to the hospital, Nanjirou glared at his daughter and the parents of CJ and Anna. "I know my daughter has hurt your children but in all fairness, they started it."

"How? My daughter's an angel!"

"As if she's an angel!" Rio yelled. "They're the ones that told the teacher to leave me in an aquarium three hours from here!"

"You have no proof!"

"We're suing you and your family!" Nanjirou put his crying daughter behind him and glared at the parents.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves, not knowing about your children's activities. My daughter hasn't been to school for two weeks because of them."

"What a lie!" And with that, the parents left. Nanjirou kneeled to make eye contact with his daughter and wiped her flowing tears.

"Shh, stop crying. It'll be fine. We'll move, how about that? We'll go to Japan and live there, ok?" He picked up his daughter and let her cry until she fell asleep. "Oh Rio…"

End of Flashback

"You mean, for two whole months, you've withstand bullying?" Momo asked as they walked home. Rio nodded and looked at the moon above them.

"I know it might sound petty but before I couldn't handle the words and the hurt they threw at me. The teachers and our parents tried to help but I was too scared."

"But you're strong and brave now, and that's all that matters." Eiji smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"Arigatou, Ei-chan. Demo, I know their family won't stop until they know I can't walk." Eiji tsked and flicked her forehead. "Itai!"

"Remember my promise? Besides, we're all here for you. I bet Rikkai wants to help too." Rio smiled and nodded. "Ne, will you be ok when verse Josei Shonan?"

"Yea, I'll be fine. I'm sure Sakuno-san can watch over me while you guys play."

"Ah, then it's decided! Rio-chan will be a cheerleader!"

"EH?" Momo smirked and wrapped his arm on her shoulders.

"I heard from the loud freshman that they'll have cheerleading outfits for the game! I'll tell them to make one for you."

"Yadda! Ryoma, push me away from these two!"

"Rio-chan!"

"Ririn!"

"YADDDAA!"

Another chapter out! It feels good to update. XD

Anyway, this story might be my first complete multi-chaptered story! WOOHOO! :)

Please REVIEW. Reviews fuel my inspiration to write.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Prince of Tennis.