Unfinished AU Silver Pair Fic Part 5
(AU Silver Pair) Part 1 Chapter 5
Fandom: Prince of Tennis, AU Project
Pairing (if any): Silver (Shishido/Ohtori), Atobe, Kabaji, Jirou, Fudoumine (all)
Rating: PG-15 (tons of swearing, violence, mention of suicide)
Part 5
“Shishido, I’ve been expecting you,” General Atobe greeted pompously, remaining seated. “Jirou, wait there. I need to talk to you later.”
Akutagawa grinned and waved, sliding the door shut and leaving Shishido and the General alone to talk. Well, mostly alone, but Atobe’s hulking manservant, currently sitting in the corner making tea, didn’t really count. Shishido doubted he could even speak Japanese. Shishido had never once heard him talk, anyway.
“So,” Atobe began, taking his time and wasting Shishido’s. The General never changed.
“...So what?”
General Atobe scowled and took a sip of tea, as though to get the unpleasant taste of Shishido’s insubordination out of his mouth. It was a point of pride for Shishido to try to make Atobe as uncomfortable as Atobe made him. It made their meetings almost worth it. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard,” he continued, “but Hyotei is currently experiencing a problem.”
“Which is what, sir?” Would it kill Atobe to get straight to the damn point every once in a while? Shishido would follow the man’s orders off the edge of the earth, but the General didn’t have to be such a pain about it.
Atobe’s scowl deepened, but he went on. “I believe you are familiar with the Fudoumine bandits.”
The Fudoumine bandits were a bunch of shiftless, lowlife thugs who scattered at the first show of authority, if Shishido remembered correctly. Shishido had been in command of the squad that had taken care of them, sending the lot back up the mountain with their tails between their legs. “Didn’t we route them a few years back?”
“Correct,” Atobe replied, but obviously that wasn’t everything. “It seems, however, that they have come under new management, and are once again making nuisances of themselves.”
“And you want me to go take them out again.” It sounded simple enough. There had to be a catch somewhere.
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t need to send you,” Atobe added, throwing Shishido a look that he couldn’t quite read. “Bandits are hardly dangerous under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, their new leader is of a higher caliber, an Empowered man by the name of Tachibana Kippei. He has organized the rats, made them into something more formidable. By this point it is almost impossible to take the north road without being stripped of all worldly possessions. Attempts thus far to intimidate them have been...unsuccessful.” Atobe’s eyes narrowed at the thought, and Shishido wondered how many schmucks had slit their bellies over that one. “Nor has there been any luck with peaceful negotiations,” Atobe continued briskly. “The wretches are determined to remain unaffiliated with any of the regional powers, though why they should, I shall never understand. They refuse to cooperate with us voluntarily. I even offered to marry Tachibana’s sister in the way of an alliance--which was a charity, she’s well past marrying age and never going to see a better offer--but I was turned down. The girl actually wrote to me herself,” he scathed, pulling a piece of paper from his sleeve and glaring icily at it, “rejecting me directly.” It wasn’t clear whether Atobe was more upset by a woman daring to write to him, or by the very idea that someone could ever refuse his hand in marriage. Knowing Atobe, it was the latter.
“So,” Shishido frowned, feeling redundant, “you want me to go take them out again.”
“I wanted to send an officer, but His Lordship seems to think such measures unnecessary, so I’m sending you.” Atobe was such a condescending bastard. “Assemble a team as you see fit and take care of it. You may go.”
Akutagawa grinned at him on his way out of the room. “Good luck!”
*
Honestly, Shishido didn’t see what the big deal was. Bandits, even particularly competent bandits, were still just bandits. But Shishido got his best men together anyway, figuring that overkill was never really a bad thing. It meant you were prepared. Before long, they were ready.
“Oh, they’re leaving!”
Shishido heard it and turned around, and Ohtori was actually there. Somehow Shishido even expected him to be there. Weird. The kid looked surprised, but smiled at him anyway. “Um, are you heading out, then?”
Shishido smiled back, because he felt like it. “Yeah, just got some bandits to kill. Shouldn’t take too long.”
Ohtori frowned a bit, looking worried. “Well, be careful.”
Shishido rolled his eyes, and the men laughed. “Oh come on, we’ll be fine.”
Ohtori looked like he wanted to say something, but didn’t and smiled instead. “I guess I’ll see you later, then?”
“Yeah, sure!” Shishido grinned. “See you.”
*
This was not supposed to happen.
They were Hyotei. They were elite, trained professionals. Routing a bunch of bandits should have been child’s play.
Instead Shishido’s men lay dead all around him.
It had not been one-sided slaughter, but it may as well have. They had met the battle in roughly equal numbers. Eight of the bandits still stood. Only Shishido remained.
“Why don’t you just shoot him,” the Empowered boy was muttering.
“Tachibana-san said he wanted to fight him personally!” the archer hissed, scowling. “Eight on one isn’t fair!”
“It would be so much easier if you just shot him, though. Or I could kill him. I wouldn’t mind doing it. Tachibana-san shouldn’t have to deal with these kinds of people. They aren’t worth his time. They came here trying to kill all of us. It really bugs me. This one did kill Taro and Satoshi. I never really liked them, though. They were never very nice to me.”
“Would you shut up already?”
“Shh!” the girl cut in, nodding toward the leader, whose eyes had not once left Shishido since the melee had started. That must be Tachibana.
The man spoke. “You can leave,” he said simply. He had not yet even drawn his sword.
Shishido spat on the ground at Tachibana’s feet. His best men were dead--cut down or stuck with arrows or frozen into grotesque stone statues--brought here on Shishido’s orders. Either he left here victorious or he died here. There were no other options.
Tachibana nodded, face impassive. “I can respect that.” And he stepped forward, slowly, pulling his sword from its scabbard.
It was now or never. Shishido charged, slicing for the man’s neck--but Tachibana blocked, repelling him. He dashed forward again, aiming lower--but again Tachibana blocked. Shishido attacked and attacked, growing angrier and angrier, the blood pounding in his ears, and still Tachibana did not strike back. Shishido came so close to Tachibana’s vital organs, but every time the man only just blocked in time--a blow that should have cut off his arm only nicked his wrist; a jab to the liver glanced off his side; a cut on the cheek when he aimed to take the head.
Something was wrong. This fight was far too one-sided. Was Tachibana merely toying with him? Did he mean to make Shishido lose his focus, or wear down his stamina? Though Shishido had not yet landed a solid blow, he had drawn blood and was striking with all his might--Tachibana had to be getting tired. No man could win a fight without fighting back.
Then Shishido remembered that Tachibana was supposed to be Empowered.
And Tachibana attacked.
Shishido screamed as he felt himself split open, even though he hadn’t let Tachibana’s sword touch him. Blood poured down his face and arms. His knees buckled. He could only hope his guts were staying in. He felt dizzy. He was going to die. He was going to bleed out and die right here. He could barely stand--but he wasn’t just going to lie down. Gripping his sword tighter, even as the hilt grew slippery, he shoved Tachibana’s blade away with all his strength. He was a man, and he would die on his feet like a man, dammit!
Something whizzed past Shishido and clanged as Tachibana blocked it, looking up in alarm. This was Shishido’s chance. He should attack--but he could hardly move. Another thing came flying, and he heard the girl scream.
“An!!” Tachibana wasn’t even looking at Shishido anymore. He should strike. He should strike. But his arms were so heavy...
It had suddenly become chaos. Flying things--throwing stars--were everywhere, raining from high in the trees on the crowd, sending the bandits scattering like chickens. The Empowered boy looked catatonic, huddled white-faced on the ground. The tallest was doing his best to shield the others. Tachibana had abandoned his fight with Shishido completely to regroup his men. The archer was taking aim.
An arrow whizzed past Shishido in the other direction, and Akutagawa Jirou fell out of the tree behind him. “Ow,” he laughed weakly--but the arrow was sticking out of his chest.
“Jirou!” Shishido found his feet at last, hacking another arrow out of the air before it reached its target. He didn’t even know Akutagawa was here. Was he going to get him killed, too?
Two of the bandits had taken the chance to move in, swords ready. Shishido snarled, charging the one nearest him--and nearly got hit by a throwing star, which sank into the bandit’s gut.
A little boy’s voice shrieked, “Tatsunori!!!”
The bandit looked shocked. He could hardly be older than Ohtori. His fellow immediately dropped all pretense of fighting to catch him, hollering over his shoulder for their leader.
Tachibana was there in a blink, half-dragging, half-carrying the kid away. “We’re pulling back,” he shouted to the others. The child was still screaming, wherever he was.
The girl grabbed Tachibana’s shoulder. “Shouldn’t we kill them first?” she asked him, gesturing toward Shishido and Akutagawa with her polearm. Shishido took a step backwards toward Akutagawa, who hadn’t gotten up since he’d fallen.
“We’re pulling back. Get everybody out of here.”
Shishido half expected the girl to protest--women had no sense--but she nodded and fell back, gathering the rest and marching them off into the trees.
A few moments after the last one disappeared, Akutagawa wheezed cheerfully, “Well...that’s about...half the job. ...Not so bad.”
“Are you ok?!” Shishido’s knees were about ready to give out and his head was spinning, but the adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, even as the blood kept flowing. “Shit, what are you even doing here? For the love of... Fuck!”
Akutagawa grinned, but his face was getting whiter every second. “Atobe sent me...after you...just in case. I’m ok... Just broke...my legs, I think... I’ve got a kit... You should get yourself...patched up...”
What was he even talking about? He had a fucking arrow sticking out of his chest! “Jirou, you’re gonna die.”
“Nah, I’m not...!” he laughed, wincing. “I just... really tired... You need help... got a kit... seriously... ‘s right over there... Could you be nice...and pull this out? It’s really...annoying.”
Shishido’s brain wasn’t working, so he just did as he was told. “Ok, you asked for it, one, two, three--" and he yanked the arrow out of Akutagawa’s ribcage.
He made this horrible gurgling noise. Shishido didn’t care what he said--Akutagawa was going to die. And it was Shishido’s fault. But he was still smiling. “Thanks, man... I’ma take a nap... Just for a minute... You...bandage yourself up. Kit... kit...” He rummaged around on the ground next to him for a bag. His breath was starting to rattle. He slumped over as his hand reached the fabric and didn’t move again.
Shishido didn’t know what to do. He didn’t deserve to live after this. But someone had to explain what happened to Atobe. He’d have to kill himself later. He moved Akutagawa’s hand off the kit bag gently and set about treating his own wounds.
It was disgusting. Now that he’d calmed down, everything hurt. He had been cut almost everywhere--all the same injuries he’d given Tachibana, or nearly given him, but at least twice as grievous. He could see the bone at his wrist, after he’d cleared enough of the blood away. The slice in his cheek had nearly gone the whole way through. His innards, at least, seemed ready to stay in--he knew he’d see them soon enough, but there would be time for that later.
Shishido didn’t know how long it took him to get himself into some semblance of shape--it felt like ages--but after a while he noticed a noise. He thought at first that it was Akutagawa’s final breaths, after his lung had collapsed, but it couldn’t be. It was too even. Too sustained. Akutagawa was snoring.
“Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me.” Shishido kicked him with the leg that worked, because fuck that.
Akutagawa groaned and rolled over. “Five more minutes.”
“No!”
“Eh?” Akutagawa looked back, and his eyes widened. “Oh crap, I forgot! D’you need any help?” And he scrambled to his feet and dusted himself off. Except for the bloodstains, he looked like nothing had even happened to him.
That was so not fair.
Shishido hissed through his teeth. “I fucking hate Empowered people.”
Akutagawa laughed. “C’mon, let’s get you back.”
~
Chapter 6
Fandom: Prince of Tennis, AU Project
Pairing (if any): Silver (Shishido/Ohtori), Atobe, Kabaji, Jirou, Fudoumine (all)
Rating: PG-15 (tons of swearing, violence, mention of suicide)
Part 5
“Shishido, I’ve been expecting you,” General Atobe greeted pompously, remaining seated. “Jirou, wait there. I need to talk to you later.”
Akutagawa grinned and waved, sliding the door shut and leaving Shishido and the General alone to talk. Well, mostly alone, but Atobe’s hulking manservant, currently sitting in the corner making tea, didn’t really count. Shishido doubted he could even speak Japanese. Shishido had never once heard him talk, anyway.
“So,” Atobe began, taking his time and wasting Shishido’s. The General never changed.
“...So what?”
General Atobe scowled and took a sip of tea, as though to get the unpleasant taste of Shishido’s insubordination out of his mouth. It was a point of pride for Shishido to try to make Atobe as uncomfortable as Atobe made him. It made their meetings almost worth it. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard,” he continued, “but Hyotei is currently experiencing a problem.”
“Which is what, sir?” Would it kill Atobe to get straight to the damn point every once in a while? Shishido would follow the man’s orders off the edge of the earth, but the General didn’t have to be such a pain about it.
Atobe’s scowl deepened, but he went on. “I believe you are familiar with the Fudoumine bandits.”
The Fudoumine bandits were a bunch of shiftless, lowlife thugs who scattered at the first show of authority, if Shishido remembered correctly. Shishido had been in command of the squad that had taken care of them, sending the lot back up the mountain with their tails between their legs. “Didn’t we route them a few years back?”
“Correct,” Atobe replied, but obviously that wasn’t everything. “It seems, however, that they have come under new management, and are once again making nuisances of themselves.”
“And you want me to go take them out again.” It sounded simple enough. There had to be a catch somewhere.
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t need to send you,” Atobe added, throwing Shishido a look that he couldn’t quite read. “Bandits are hardly dangerous under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, their new leader is of a higher caliber, an Empowered man by the name of Tachibana Kippei. He has organized the rats, made them into something more formidable. By this point it is almost impossible to take the north road without being stripped of all worldly possessions. Attempts thus far to intimidate them have been...unsuccessful.” Atobe’s eyes narrowed at the thought, and Shishido wondered how many schmucks had slit their bellies over that one. “Nor has there been any luck with peaceful negotiations,” Atobe continued briskly. “The wretches are determined to remain unaffiliated with any of the regional powers, though why they should, I shall never understand. They refuse to cooperate with us voluntarily. I even offered to marry Tachibana’s sister in the way of an alliance--which was a charity, she’s well past marrying age and never going to see a better offer--but I was turned down. The girl actually wrote to me herself,” he scathed, pulling a piece of paper from his sleeve and glaring icily at it, “rejecting me directly.” It wasn’t clear whether Atobe was more upset by a woman daring to write to him, or by the very idea that someone could ever refuse his hand in marriage. Knowing Atobe, it was the latter.
“So,” Shishido frowned, feeling redundant, “you want me to go take them out again.”
“I wanted to send an officer, but His Lordship seems to think such measures unnecessary, so I’m sending you.” Atobe was such a condescending bastard. “Assemble a team as you see fit and take care of it. You may go.”
Akutagawa grinned at him on his way out of the room. “Good luck!”
*
Honestly, Shishido didn’t see what the big deal was. Bandits, even particularly competent bandits, were still just bandits. But Shishido got his best men together anyway, figuring that overkill was never really a bad thing. It meant you were prepared. Before long, they were ready.
“Oh, they’re leaving!”
Shishido heard it and turned around, and Ohtori was actually there. Somehow Shishido even expected him to be there. Weird. The kid looked surprised, but smiled at him anyway. “Um, are you heading out, then?”
Shishido smiled back, because he felt like it. “Yeah, just got some bandits to kill. Shouldn’t take too long.”
Ohtori frowned a bit, looking worried. “Well, be careful.”
Shishido rolled his eyes, and the men laughed. “Oh come on, we’ll be fine.”
Ohtori looked like he wanted to say something, but didn’t and smiled instead. “I guess I’ll see you later, then?”
“Yeah, sure!” Shishido grinned. “See you.”
*
This was not supposed to happen.
They were Hyotei. They were elite, trained professionals. Routing a bunch of bandits should have been child’s play.
Instead Shishido’s men lay dead all around him.
It had not been one-sided slaughter, but it may as well have. They had met the battle in roughly equal numbers. Eight of the bandits still stood. Only Shishido remained.
“Why don’t you just shoot him,” the Empowered boy was muttering.
“Tachibana-san said he wanted to fight him personally!” the archer hissed, scowling. “Eight on one isn’t fair!”
“It would be so much easier if you just shot him, though. Or I could kill him. I wouldn’t mind doing it. Tachibana-san shouldn’t have to deal with these kinds of people. They aren’t worth his time. They came here trying to kill all of us. It really bugs me. This one did kill Taro and Satoshi. I never really liked them, though. They were never very nice to me.”
“Would you shut up already?”
“Shh!” the girl cut in, nodding toward the leader, whose eyes had not once left Shishido since the melee had started. That must be Tachibana.
The man spoke. “You can leave,” he said simply. He had not yet even drawn his sword.
Shishido spat on the ground at Tachibana’s feet. His best men were dead--cut down or stuck with arrows or frozen into grotesque stone statues--brought here on Shishido’s orders. Either he left here victorious or he died here. There were no other options.
Tachibana nodded, face impassive. “I can respect that.” And he stepped forward, slowly, pulling his sword from its scabbard.
It was now or never. Shishido charged, slicing for the man’s neck--but Tachibana blocked, repelling him. He dashed forward again, aiming lower--but again Tachibana blocked. Shishido attacked and attacked, growing angrier and angrier, the blood pounding in his ears, and still Tachibana did not strike back. Shishido came so close to Tachibana’s vital organs, but every time the man only just blocked in time--a blow that should have cut off his arm only nicked his wrist; a jab to the liver glanced off his side; a cut on the cheek when he aimed to take the head.
Something was wrong. This fight was far too one-sided. Was Tachibana merely toying with him? Did he mean to make Shishido lose his focus, or wear down his stamina? Though Shishido had not yet landed a solid blow, he had drawn blood and was striking with all his might--Tachibana had to be getting tired. No man could win a fight without fighting back.
Then Shishido remembered that Tachibana was supposed to be Empowered.
And Tachibana attacked.
Shishido screamed as he felt himself split open, even though he hadn’t let Tachibana’s sword touch him. Blood poured down his face and arms. His knees buckled. He could only hope his guts were staying in. He felt dizzy. He was going to die. He was going to bleed out and die right here. He could barely stand--but he wasn’t just going to lie down. Gripping his sword tighter, even as the hilt grew slippery, he shoved Tachibana’s blade away with all his strength. He was a man, and he would die on his feet like a man, dammit!
Something whizzed past Shishido and clanged as Tachibana blocked it, looking up in alarm. This was Shishido’s chance. He should attack--but he could hardly move. Another thing came flying, and he heard the girl scream.
“An!!” Tachibana wasn’t even looking at Shishido anymore. He should strike. He should strike. But his arms were so heavy...
It had suddenly become chaos. Flying things--throwing stars--were everywhere, raining from high in the trees on the crowd, sending the bandits scattering like chickens. The Empowered boy looked catatonic, huddled white-faced on the ground. The tallest was doing his best to shield the others. Tachibana had abandoned his fight with Shishido completely to regroup his men. The archer was taking aim.
An arrow whizzed past Shishido in the other direction, and Akutagawa Jirou fell out of the tree behind him. “Ow,” he laughed weakly--but the arrow was sticking out of his chest.
“Jirou!” Shishido found his feet at last, hacking another arrow out of the air before it reached its target. He didn’t even know Akutagawa was here. Was he going to get him killed, too?
Two of the bandits had taken the chance to move in, swords ready. Shishido snarled, charging the one nearest him--and nearly got hit by a throwing star, which sank into the bandit’s gut.
A little boy’s voice shrieked, “Tatsunori!!!”
The bandit looked shocked. He could hardly be older than Ohtori. His fellow immediately dropped all pretense of fighting to catch him, hollering over his shoulder for their leader.
Tachibana was there in a blink, half-dragging, half-carrying the kid away. “We’re pulling back,” he shouted to the others. The child was still screaming, wherever he was.
The girl grabbed Tachibana’s shoulder. “Shouldn’t we kill them first?” she asked him, gesturing toward Shishido and Akutagawa with her polearm. Shishido took a step backwards toward Akutagawa, who hadn’t gotten up since he’d fallen.
“We’re pulling back. Get everybody out of here.”
Shishido half expected the girl to protest--women had no sense--but she nodded and fell back, gathering the rest and marching them off into the trees.
A few moments after the last one disappeared, Akutagawa wheezed cheerfully, “Well...that’s about...half the job. ...Not so bad.”
“Are you ok?!” Shishido’s knees were about ready to give out and his head was spinning, but the adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, even as the blood kept flowing. “Shit, what are you even doing here? For the love of... Fuck!”
Akutagawa grinned, but his face was getting whiter every second. “Atobe sent me...after you...just in case. I’m ok... Just broke...my legs, I think... I’ve got a kit... You should get yourself...patched up...”
What was he even talking about? He had a fucking arrow sticking out of his chest! “Jirou, you’re gonna die.”
“Nah, I’m not...!” he laughed, wincing. “I just... really tired... You need help... got a kit... seriously... ‘s right over there... Could you be nice...and pull this out? It’s really...annoying.”
Shishido’s brain wasn’t working, so he just did as he was told. “Ok, you asked for it, one, two, three--" and he yanked the arrow out of Akutagawa’s ribcage.
He made this horrible gurgling noise. Shishido didn’t care what he said--Akutagawa was going to die. And it was Shishido’s fault. But he was still smiling. “Thanks, man... I’ma take a nap... Just for a minute... You...bandage yourself up. Kit... kit...” He rummaged around on the ground next to him for a bag. His breath was starting to rattle. He slumped over as his hand reached the fabric and didn’t move again.
Shishido didn’t know what to do. He didn’t deserve to live after this. But someone had to explain what happened to Atobe. He’d have to kill himself later. He moved Akutagawa’s hand off the kit bag gently and set about treating his own wounds.
It was disgusting. Now that he’d calmed down, everything hurt. He had been cut almost everywhere--all the same injuries he’d given Tachibana, or nearly given him, but at least twice as grievous. He could see the bone at his wrist, after he’d cleared enough of the blood away. The slice in his cheek had nearly gone the whole way through. His innards, at least, seemed ready to stay in--he knew he’d see them soon enough, but there would be time for that later.
Shishido didn’t know how long it took him to get himself into some semblance of shape--it felt like ages--but after a while he noticed a noise. He thought at first that it was Akutagawa’s final breaths, after his lung had collapsed, but it couldn’t be. It was too even. Too sustained. Akutagawa was snoring.
“Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me.” Shishido kicked him with the leg that worked, because fuck that.
Akutagawa groaned and rolled over. “Five more minutes.”
“No!”
“Eh?” Akutagawa looked back, and his eyes widened. “Oh crap, I forgot! D’you need any help?” And he scrambled to his feet and dusted himself off. Except for the bloodstains, he looked like nothing had even happened to him.
That was so not fair.
Shishido hissed through his teeth. “I fucking hate Empowered people.”
Akutagawa laughed. “C’mon, let’s get you back.”
~
Chapter 6