Hello to one and all.

Here is a story I wrote especially for Akari Hayashi whose romantic Momo’-Ryoma fic’s inspired me to write one of my own.

I hope you enjoy it.

Mild yaoi content ( I remembered to add the warning this time! )

And lots of sugar-sweet sap to rot your teeth on!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Prince of Tennis boys, and if I did ... they would more than play tennis... .

Please read and review!

"Bright as the stars"

Story by Tora Macaw

The regional tournament was over. Long shadows slowly crept their way across the broad, green expanse of a wide playing field; and the golden glow of the setting sun silhouetted two figures as they strolled homeward after a long day of tennis.

The taller of the pair whistled cheerfully as he raised one hand to rub the back of his neck; his long fingers briefly scratching at the stiff, bristled hair adorning his scalp; before gazing down warmly at his smaller companion.

Green-gold orbs appeared from beneath the brim of a white baseball cap to briefly lock onto the taller youth's glittering purple eyes, then the shorter boy huffed as his nose lifted and he quickened his pace. Watching his beloved friend stride out before him, Momo' smiled gently.

Sharp featured, forever hungry and restless, there was something of the weasel about the Seigaku power house. But the tall teenager, known to the human world as Takeshi Momoshiro, was of a different breed.

Born into the large clan of mongoose spirits, Momo's family were greatly respected as the strongest serpent slayers in existence and were also famous for their great, Dark-Hunter-killing prowess. His clan hadn't originated from the jungles of India as many others were, but had been born out of the vast dry sands of ancient Egypt.

Regarded as sacred, the mongoose had been known as the ' Pharaoh's cat ' and the mighty rulers of that proud empire’s illustrious history had kept the Mongoose spirits beside them as advisers and friends.

But such times were now long past and the mongoose spirit, like all their fellow Mythic’s, were now forced to hide their existence from the modern world. Not that Momo' minded; he rather enjoyed walking about on a pair of human legs so much longer than the short legs of his true form. His human body also allowed him to indulge in his love of sports and he was extremely thankful his mongoose abilities of speed and leaping strength hadn't been diminished by the necessary disguise.

Looking back on the days events, he realized just how much his tennis truly meant to him and decided then and there to boldly ask his little companion out that night to join him for a night’s star gazing, and perhaps find the courage to express his true feelings.

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That evening they sat, two quiet figures in companionable silence atop the roof of Momo's house. Overhead, the friendly stars twinkled through a haze of wispy cloud and glow of streetlights to reflect in a pair of shining, deep-purple eyes.

Laying on his back, his hands linked behind his head, Ryoma turned his face to silently study his team mate as Momo' sat beside him peacefully watching the sky. Crickets chirped their calm love songs among the tall grass and, somewhere close by, an owl hooted before gliding away to hunt on soundless wings. The warm summer evening had a beautiful, almost surreal setting and Momo' voiced a long contented sigh as he met his friend’s steady gaze.

" There are times when I wish I could stay up here forever." Raising an arm, Momo' opened his hand, his fingers spreading as his palm attempted to lure the distant silver specks down to join him. But sparkling dots only answer to the mute appeal was to wink coyly as they stayed firmly in their appointed place. Smirking at his own foolishness, he lowered his arm then whispered; " They are beautiful, aren't they Echizen?"

Ryoma hardly spared the glittering specks a glance before tugging on his cap and saying " Mada mada da ne "

Chuckling at his companion's indifference, Momo gave the short youth a soft affectionate look then raised his eyes to the heavens once more. Seeing the outline of the owl as it patrolled its territory, the teenager let out a wistful sigh.

“I wish I could fly."

Flicking back the brim of his hat, Ryoma regarded his friend with a mild curiosity.

“Why sempai?"

Momo' sniggered softly as he replied; " Because then I could maybe reach out and touch those stars."

"Huh!" snorted Ryoma scornfully as his eyes closed. " You are being foolish sempai. No one can touch a star."

Momo' tilted his head sideways as his smile crept across his face. " Then if I can't touch one I will just play among them."

Laying back, he murmured; " A foolish dream I know, but I still wish I could hold a star in my hand."

“You hold the stars in your eyes."

The words were so quietly spoken that Momo' was certain he had imagined Ryoma saying them, but a closer inspection showed the smaller teen's face glowing a delicate shade of red as he refused to meet Momo's eyes.

Sitting up, he angled his body so he was able to lean in and gently slide his fingers under Ryoma's chin. When the black haired youth didn't pull away, Momo' turned the boy's face toward him then smiled into Ryoma's softly glowing green-gold orbs.

" So do you. Your eyes are very beautiful, did you know that?"

" Momo' sempai" came the shy response. Blushing furiously, Ryoma twisted away then drew his knees up under his chin as his arms encircled his legs. Unable to face his amused team-mate, the embarrassed youth wished he could vanish through the roof tiles as he furiously wondered just what the hell had come over him to say such a thing. Yet at the feel of Momo's hand gently stroking his back, the small tennis star gazed up at his sempai to marvel at the shifting lights in the depths of his warmly glowing purple eyes.

" Bright as the stars." he said softly, bringing a loving smile to Momo's lips.

Abruptly, the smaller boy leapt to his feet then fixed his friend with a strangely determined expression.

" Momo', please become a mongoose."

"Oh?" the taller youth cocked his head to one side as his eyes held a mischievous gleam. " and why do you want to see my cute little furry face when you could be admiring my adoringly handsome human face instead?"

Ryoma smirked a little as his friend laughed, then became serious once more.

" Just ... transform. I ‘er ... want to do something special with you."

Cheekily eyeing Ryoma's crimson face, Momo' answered with a laugh in his voice. " Then if you are s-o-o-o determined to hold my bristle-furred butt in your hands, I had best not disappoint you!"

Crouching before the young demi-dragon, Momo' slowly began to change.

Grizzled iron grey fur all tipped with black guard hairs erupted over Momo's face, which was morphing into a sharp pointed muzzle and sprouting long whiskers. His body then shrank down and vanished beneath his slowly collapsing clothes. A chattering sound drifted up, then a large mongoose wiggled it's way out from under the imploded pile of garments to sit up on it's hunches, throw it's front legs in the air and say;" Ta, da!"

Smirking at his friends cheerful nonsense, Ryoma then thoughtfully studied the beast. In his true spirit form, Momo' was a good 5 ft in length from nose to tail and fairly robust. Rubbing his chin, Ryoma drank in the sight of muscular shoulders, strong front legs and powerful hind quarters, and had no doubt in his mind that his beloved sempai was the perfect killing machine. But it was also clear to the youth that in Momo's present form, he was too large and heavy to suit the demi-dragon's purpose.

Extending his hand to lightly caress the coarse fur on Momo's head, Ryoma asked quietly; " Can you possibly ... Erm ... make yourself smaller?"

Twin orbs of glittering purple blinked as the weasel-like head tilted to one side in contemplation. " Hmm ... Smaller ... wait a moment."

Momo' closed his eyes then tipped his head back as a faint brown glow enveloped his entire body. Very slowly, Momo' then shrank further until he had compacted his form into a lithe, slender creature just over 3 ft in length. Craning his head back, the smaller mongoose looked up at his smiling friend, then called out; " I can't make myself any smaller, will this do?"

" That's perfect" Ryoma replied warmly. Squatting, the black haired youth quickly gathered the Mongoose into his arms, then stood erect, his eyes lifting to the night sky. Two large wings of stygian black appeared to unfurl from his shoulders then spread out to proudly stand on either side of his slender body, while a long whip-like black tail stirred up the air behind him.

Gazing up into the demon youth's golden eyes, Momo spent a moment observing the pair of straight horns rearing out from jet black glossy hair that hung just past the boy's shoulders, then let his eyes linger on Ryoma's furry triangular ears before asking; " Are you thinking what I think you are thinking?"

For an answer, Ryoma lifted his wings, crouched, then leapt skyward. The roof of Momo's house dropped away and a few heart beats later, the mongoose spirit found himself looking down on his home from a dizzying height among the drifting clouds. Gulping and shaking a little as his eyes involuntarily closed, Momo' buried his snout into the fabric of Ryoma's shirt as the rushing wind roared in his ears and the demon carrying him rose and dipped on the air currents. Settling into a steady glide, the youth looked down tenderly at the quivering bundle of fur in his arms then spoke softly. " Take a look Momo' sempai. "

Lifting his head, Momo' swallowed then slowly opened his eyes to gasp in wonder at the enchanting sight that met them.

Below, there was nothing to be seen but curling rows of marshmallow-like clouds and above him, a serene sea of silver curtain glittered its welcome. Drifting like a huge wind borne leaf on wide wings that were beginning to shimmer with a metallic golden radiance, Ryoma flew slowly and smiled with extreme satisfaction at the emotional tears glistening in his friends eyes.

As a creature bound to the chains of the earth, Momo' felt his heart weep at Ryoma's effortless flight and his own complete lack of ability to do so himself. Yet he felt at the same time, a great joy sing within his soul as he turned his head up to the sky. The twinkling stars were no closer to him at this height than they had been when he was on the ground, but they were still the same beautiful shining dots he had always admired and he silently thanked his beloved friend with every fibre of his being for giving him this truly incredible experience.

Ryoma suddenly yawned, his eyelids drooping as he sank down into the clouds. They swiftly passed through the aerial barrier, then spiralled down in a rapid decent to touch down heavily on a roof top that Momo' recognized as Ryoma's own.

Stumbling , the black haired youth swayed then let out a long painful groan as he pitched forward to collapse on his knees and lay sprawled out on his side.

" Ryoma! " cried Momo' as he resumed his human form then gathered his friends limp body into his arms. Cradling him against his chest, the bristle-haired teenager stood, turned around and almost fell off the roof in shock when he found himself nose to nose with a stern faced, arm folded Tezuka.

" Captain!" he gasped in surprised as he involuntarily stepped backward and instinctively clutched his burden against him. " You scared the life out of me!"

Hazel-gold eyes glittered coldly as they surveyed Momo's nakedness, then Tezuka turned away with an abrupt hand gesture for his team-mate to follow. Silently, Momo' crossed the roof in his captains wake, then received his second shock of the evening when without warning, Tezuka seized his arm in a vice-like grip and a single heart beat later, found himself standing in Ryoma's bedroom to be met by a worried Karupin.

Without saying a word Tezuka stalked over to Ryoma's bed, yanked back the covers, then indicated with a curt nod of his head that Momo' place the unconscious youth upon it. Silencing the beginnings of Karupin’s protests with a sharp look, Tezuka tenderly drew the covers over his grandson then pinned Momo' to the spot with his eyes. Not a word passed between them yet communication flowed between the pair as surely as if they were speaking. Disapproval and a warning fired within the disguised Seigaku captain's eyes, then he was distracted by Ryoma's low moan of " Momo' sempai."

Carefully dragging his finger tips across the boy's warm brow, Tezuka allowed the faint shadow of a loving smile to fleeting steal across his face, before gazing at his team-mate with an unreadable expression. " If he wants you here, then stay."

Nodding, Momo' transformed back to his true self, then sat down next to his beloved friend’s bed as Tezuka departed through the open window. Sighing, the mongoose peered up at Ryoma then, his eyes widened at the youth's sleepy words.

" Momo' ... Momo' ... where are you?"

" I'm here Ryoma." He murmured as he leapt lightly onto the bed and licked the youth’s cheek. Tossing his head, Ryoma opened his eyes to stare blearily at the grizzled haired animal gazing down at him, then pushed his hands into the coarse fur with a tired smile.

" You feel all bristly sempai."

Shooting a quick glance at Ryoma's scowling guardian, Momo' slipped back into human form. " Is this better?"

Ryoma chuckled softly as he caressed the taller youth's face. " Yes, much smoother." Reaching out, he lightly stroked his friend's shoulders then giggled. " What happened to your clothes?"

Momo' blushed slightly. " Still on the roof of my house."

The dark haired youth sighed contentedly, then let his roving hands rest on Momo's naked back, as his eyes closed.

" Stay with me." he mumbled as sleep started to claim him.

" As you wish."

Rearranging his long body so he lay on his side and pressed up against up Ryoma's back, Momo' wrapped tender arms around the smaller boy to hold him close in a loving embrace. He was just on the verge of falling asleep himself when the youth muttered incoherently in his sleep, then turned over to snuggle tightly against his bed-mates bare chest. Nuzzling into warm flesh, he listened to Momo's beating heart and whispered a quiet " I love you."

Unable to resist the tenderness of the moment, Momo' shifted gentle fingers through soft black hair then placed a tender kiss on Ryoma's brow. Green-gold eyes opened to peer into deep purple orbs, then sweet lips met to speak on with silent loving words.

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Saddened, but knowing he had no place to interfere with his charge's choice of lover, Karupin slipped like a furry shadow from the window, to seek the solace of the silent roof top. Sighing up at the watchful stars, he suddenly realised he wasn't alone.

Two huge wings of gleaming gold hung from the shoulders of a youth who's wind-swept looking golden-brown hair waved in the gentle breeze, and Hazel-gold eyes glittered behind oval glasses as they watched the cat's approach.

Bowing, Karupin murmured; " Lord dragon."

Tezuka acknowledged the respectful greeting with a nod, then invited the guardian familiar join him. For short time, the pair sat in companionable quiet, then Karupin sighed as tears glittered in his golden eyes. " My bond brother mates with a stupid hairy tailed rat. Why Lord dragon? Why the snake slayer?"

Tezuka breathed heavily, then watched the cloud of steam he had made float upwards.

" His choice."

" I know" sighed Karupin as he gazed at Tezuka's profile. " It's just that ... sire, Ryoma is of your blood and may one day take his place among dragon kind. Is it wise for him to have a Mongoose for his mate?"

Turning his head to look at the sad feline, Tezuka spoke softly, but firmly.

" Love has a strange power of its own Karupin. We don't always chose to mate with our own kind. Look at Kirihara...his parents were a ' match made in Jigoku ' yet they seem happy enough."

" True." agreed Karupin pensively. " But his father is not the same blood as you sire! For all they are related, a tabby cat cannot become a tiger no matter how much it tries to roar! and that one is not a true dragon like yourself!"

" Neither is my great grandson" chided Tezuka gently " much as I wish him to be. Ryoma will have to make his choice Karupin, and if his bond to Momo' is true, then the mongoose will stand by him ... whatever the future holds."

Silently, he added; ' After all, I myself have feelings for a human ... .'

Curled up in the lap of the dragon king, Karupin knew the ancient ruler was right and he would have to accept Ryoma's love for Momo' as the truth of their bond shone before him ... bright as the stars themselves.

Endless.........

Mythic notes: Mongoose.

A large group of carnivores, with a reputation for killing snakes and stealing eggs.

They are long-bodied with short legs, a sharp muzzle and a long tapering bushy tail.

One of the larger species the Egyptian mongoose. In Africa it ranges from the cape to Egypt and in ancient times, was said to possess mystic powers.

All mongooses are alert and very active with lightening fast reflexes and great jumping ability; particular assets for a species that kill snakes sometimes as large as 7 ft (2.1 M) long. They are highly immune to snake venom and when attacking, they erect the hair all over their body.

Main diet consists of lizards, birds, small mammals and insects.

Momo' of course has a human disguise and therefore can enjoy a much greater variety of foods.

Like all members of the weasel family, the mongoose has a high metabolic rate that demands constant feeding.