Fanfic100 - She
Title: Trade
Fandom: Prince of Tennis: Fudomine Chuugaku
Characters: Tachibana, Ibu, Kamio, Ishida, Sakurai, An, Yukimura, Sanada, Kirihara, Yanagi
Prompt: 085 - She
Word Count: 1623
Date finished: 04/11/2007
Rating: G
Summary: They say they caught a thief - and want to trade.
Author's Notes: I warn you now - I don't like Rikkaidai. There is just something intrisically wrong with the team. So they will be the bad guys. I'm not sure where the idea came from, either.
Also - I have no idea about samurai; I merely used this because it wouldn't go away.
Disclaimer: Characters are owned by Konomi Takeshi, and whoever did the anime. At any rate, it's not me.
Tachibana Kippei stepped into Yukimura's hall, his sister at his side, flanked by his five - five, not six - most trusted Samurai. The hall was somewhat bigger than his own, but given his own history and that of this man, well... it wasn't a surprise.
Neither was the sight of the captain of his guard, stripped to the waist, wrists bound outstretched between two pillars near the front of the hall. He was on his knees, head fallen forward so that his red hair hid his face. Blood spotted his clothes and the floor around him, and the small amount of his back they could see was striped with the same red. It was a source of pride that not one of his men - nor his sister - made a move in that direction.
"Welcome."
The voice was strong, carrying to them without effort. "I'm glad you could come."
The Lord in the seat at the head of the hall was slender, pale, and sickly looking. The chair was flanked by two samurai. The one on his left he knew; Sanada Genichirou, well known for his heavy-handed approach to keeping those below him in line. The one on his right was unfamiliar.
Tachibana's first reaction was "why?" but he didn't voice it, merely nodding his head in acknowledgement. "You requested my presence," he said.
"Yes. I wanted you to know we found a thief on my lands, and I believe he carried your colors."
The prisoner stirred, then, lifting his head enough to look through the strands of hair fallen over his face. The larger of the two Samurai - Sanada - strode over to him, standing guard as if to make sure he said nothing. Next to him, Tachibana heard one of his own samurai begin to grind his teeth - what Ibu Shinji did when he could not voice his thoughts. "A thief?" Tachibana asked.
"He was found with this on him." A third samurai - this one with straight black hair and eyes which never seemed to open (how did he see, anyway?) stepped forward to display an expensive necklace.
"It's a lie," Kamio said evenly. The sound of flesh striking flesh followed the words, and the men around Tachibana tensed. He did not react.
"What would he be doing with that?" Tachibana asked instead.
"He stole it from me." The Samurai who had remained by the chair was younger than the others, defiant, openly angry - but with a glint in his eyes that let Tachibana know this was a game to him. "I had planned to give it to the woman I wish to marry. He did not want that."
And his eyes slid sideways, from Tachibana himself to the girl at his side.
Oh. It was clear now - and Ibu's story now made sense, as well.
"We were on the road. We weren't bothering anyone, and they came out of nowhere. I swear to you, Tachibana-sama, that they aimed for Kamio. They were not interested in killing him, or us - just on his capture. We did our best, but we were outnumbered, and when they withdrew, they had him with them."
Tachibana watched him, then nodded slowly. He trusted those around him with his life - all of them - and with An's. There was room for nothing else. "So, we wait to see what he wants, then," he said slowly. "Thank you, Ibu."
"I see," Tachibana said. "And yet, he denies he stole it." He cast a glance at the redhead to see him gathering his strength to stand.
"Naturally," Yukimura said. "Who wouldn't? Especially knowing what the punishment for stealing is." He hesitated, so obviously acting that Tachibana nearly laughed out loud. "Perhaps we can make a trade."
"A… trade?" Tachibana asked, startled in spite of himself, and then he knew what they wanted.
"I understand this worthless man is one of your most trusted," Yukimura said, gesturing to where Sanada stood over the prisoner. "I am sure you would like him back in your service. I think we can come to an understanding."
He so obviously did not look at the boy beside him that Tachibana could see what was coming. Apparently, so could An, because she tensed even further, although she still made no move and said nothing. "What kind of trade," Tachibana said warily.
"I have a young man in my service who has fallen in love with your sister," Yukimura said plainly, gesturing toward the young man who claimed his necklace had been stolen. "He wishes to court and marry her."
So that was why they'd taken Kamio. Tachibana relaxed a little, even as those around him remained on high alert. "I see. The necklace is for her." He glanced at An; she stood next to him quietly, nearly vibrating with tension, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"Naturally." The Samurai who'd been watching her finally spoke, but his eyes still didn't leave her.
"No." Kamio was on his feet, somehow, eyes blazing, even as Sanada raised his fist to strike him again. He didn't flinch, rocking with the blow and remaining on his feet, but An did, and her hands fisted. "No," he said again, dark eyes seeking out Tachibana's almost desperately.
Tachibana wondered what he'd seen to make him so against it; Kamio had said, more than once, if An would be happier with someone else, he would give up his claim on her. An had been furious when she found out. Tachibana, however, appreciated it. He looked at the younger man who wished to marry her, and found that he, too, didn't like what he saw. But still - they were putting on a show for him.
He could at least do the same.
He turned to his sister, touching her shoulder so she looked at him. "What do you think?" he asked gently.
He had a feeling his life - Kamio's life, everyone around him - depended on her answer. He didn't know what this young upstart had on this Lord to control such power, but he had something. Unless the rumors were true.
An's eyes met his, a flash of defiance in them she still tried to hide, and he smiled gently. "I would rather not," she said clearly. "I don't know…." She paused. "I don't even know his name. How am I to judge if he would make a good husband - a good ally for you - if I don't know him?"
Footsteps interrupted them and they both turned to the Samurai that approached. "Forgive me." The young man's smooth voice made Tachibana's skin crawl. "Let me introduce myself. I am Kirihara Akaya." He bowed to her, almost mocking her - but only almost.
Ibu hissed - at least, Tachibana hoped that's all he did, and that wasn't the sound of a drawn sword. It was sometimes difficult to tell. He knew that name. Kamio was right; there was no way he was going to let a beast like that come any where close to his sister. He glanced up at the redhead, who seemed to relax even as An stepped closer to him.
Now Tachibana understood what kind of trap they'd been led into. But they were prepared, they had their orders, and from the increase in tension, his men were willing and ready to do as he'd asked. "I believe," he said in a voice that carried well in the hall, "the price is too high."
There was no doubt that if they got out of there alive, they'd leave Kamio in the hands of a demon who would show no mercy.
"Too high a price?" Kirihara said, sounding stunned. "A mere woman, too high a price?"
"Enough," Yukimura snapped, and the younger Samurai stiffened an instant before backing away. "You have heard the rumors, then."
"Not that you had such a snake within your household," Tachibana said evenly. "But many concerning him, yes."
The epithet appeared to please Kirihara, and he practically preened. An shivered.
"They are not true," Yukimura said.
"One of us has corrupted sources," Tachibana replied conversationally. "Because many of them are true, and enough to bring into question the validity of the more... unbelievable ones." He shrugged. "But the point remains. The suit is rejected, both by the lady and by me. We will take our leave."
Tachibana bowed toward Yukimura, and turned to the four behind him. "Ishida, guard her with your life," he said quietly to the tallest of them. "And if necessary…."
Ishida nodded, swallowing hard. An looked up at her brother, then nodded and stepped up to walk between the tall man and his partner. They walked the length of the hall; Ibu fell in behind Tachibana, the better to guard his back, as Sakurai and Mori walked on either side of him.
"Do you hear that?" Kirihara asked as they reached the door, and when Tachibana looked behind him, his eyes were on the redhead barely able to keep his feet. "They will leave you to die."
"I expected nothing else," Kamio responded, his voice clear, proud - and then the doors closed behind them.
"We can't just leave him there," An said softly that night as they sat together to watch the stars.
"No," Tachibana said, just as quietly. "There's no guarantee he'll be alive, if we did go back."
"I'd rather know."
He let the silence sink in, looking up at the expanse over their heads. "I sent Sakurai for reinforcements," he said after a long moment. "If they answer, as I hope they do, we will have a better chance of getting him out of there."
She shifted, as if she wished to ask who he'd sent his man for, but said nothing but "thank you."
She was nearby when Sakurai returned the next evening, looking exhausted and worn. "They will come," he reported. "They will be here tomorrow."
Tachibana nodded. "Thank you," he said.
And wondered what Tezuka would ask of him for this.
Fudomine
Fandom: Prince of Tennis: Fudomine Chuugaku
Characters: Tachibana, Ibu, Kamio, Ishida, Sakurai, An, Yukimura, Sanada, Kirihara, Yanagi
Prompt: 085 - She
Word Count: 1623
Date finished: 04/11/2007
Rating: G
Summary: They say they caught a thief - and want to trade.
Author's Notes: I warn you now - I don't like Rikkaidai. There is just something intrisically wrong with the team. So they will be the bad guys. I'm not sure where the idea came from, either.
Also - I have no idea about samurai; I merely used this because it wouldn't go away.
Disclaimer: Characters are owned by Konomi Takeshi, and whoever did the anime. At any rate, it's not me.
Tachibana Kippei stepped into Yukimura's hall, his sister at his side, flanked by his five - five, not six - most trusted Samurai. The hall was somewhat bigger than his own, but given his own history and that of this man, well... it wasn't a surprise.
Neither was the sight of the captain of his guard, stripped to the waist, wrists bound outstretched between two pillars near the front of the hall. He was on his knees, head fallen forward so that his red hair hid his face. Blood spotted his clothes and the floor around him, and the small amount of his back they could see was striped with the same red. It was a source of pride that not one of his men - nor his sister - made a move in that direction.
"Welcome."
The voice was strong, carrying to them without effort. "I'm glad you could come."
The Lord in the seat at the head of the hall was slender, pale, and sickly looking. The chair was flanked by two samurai. The one on his left he knew; Sanada Genichirou, well known for his heavy-handed approach to keeping those below him in line. The one on his right was unfamiliar.
Tachibana's first reaction was "why?" but he didn't voice it, merely nodding his head in acknowledgement. "You requested my presence," he said.
"Yes. I wanted you to know we found a thief on my lands, and I believe he carried your colors."
The prisoner stirred, then, lifting his head enough to look through the strands of hair fallen over his face. The larger of the two Samurai - Sanada - strode over to him, standing guard as if to make sure he said nothing. Next to him, Tachibana heard one of his own samurai begin to grind his teeth - what Ibu Shinji did when he could not voice his thoughts. "A thief?" Tachibana asked.
"He was found with this on him." A third samurai - this one with straight black hair and eyes which never seemed to open (how did he see, anyway?) stepped forward to display an expensive necklace.
"It's a lie," Kamio said evenly. The sound of flesh striking flesh followed the words, and the men around Tachibana tensed. He did not react.
"What would he be doing with that?" Tachibana asked instead.
"He stole it from me." The Samurai who had remained by the chair was younger than the others, defiant, openly angry - but with a glint in his eyes that let Tachibana know this was a game to him. "I had planned to give it to the woman I wish to marry. He did not want that."
And his eyes slid sideways, from Tachibana himself to the girl at his side.
Oh. It was clear now - and Ibu's story now made sense, as well.
"We were on the road. We weren't bothering anyone, and they came out of nowhere. I swear to you, Tachibana-sama, that they aimed for Kamio. They were not interested in killing him, or us - just on his capture. We did our best, but we were outnumbered, and when they withdrew, they had him with them."
Tachibana watched him, then nodded slowly. He trusted those around him with his life - all of them - and with An's. There was room for nothing else. "So, we wait to see what he wants, then," he said slowly. "Thank you, Ibu."
"I see," Tachibana said. "And yet, he denies he stole it." He cast a glance at the redhead to see him gathering his strength to stand.
"Naturally," Yukimura said. "Who wouldn't? Especially knowing what the punishment for stealing is." He hesitated, so obviously acting that Tachibana nearly laughed out loud. "Perhaps we can make a trade."
"A… trade?" Tachibana asked, startled in spite of himself, and then he knew what they wanted.
"I understand this worthless man is one of your most trusted," Yukimura said, gesturing to where Sanada stood over the prisoner. "I am sure you would like him back in your service. I think we can come to an understanding."
He so obviously did not look at the boy beside him that Tachibana could see what was coming. Apparently, so could An, because she tensed even further, although she still made no move and said nothing. "What kind of trade," Tachibana said warily.
"I have a young man in my service who has fallen in love with your sister," Yukimura said plainly, gesturing toward the young man who claimed his necklace had been stolen. "He wishes to court and marry her."
So that was why they'd taken Kamio. Tachibana relaxed a little, even as those around him remained on high alert. "I see. The necklace is for her." He glanced at An; she stood next to him quietly, nearly vibrating with tension, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"Naturally." The Samurai who'd been watching her finally spoke, but his eyes still didn't leave her.
"No." Kamio was on his feet, somehow, eyes blazing, even as Sanada raised his fist to strike him again. He didn't flinch, rocking with the blow and remaining on his feet, but An did, and her hands fisted. "No," he said again, dark eyes seeking out Tachibana's almost desperately.
Tachibana wondered what he'd seen to make him so against it; Kamio had said, more than once, if An would be happier with someone else, he would give up his claim on her. An had been furious when she found out. Tachibana, however, appreciated it. He looked at the younger man who wished to marry her, and found that he, too, didn't like what he saw. But still - they were putting on a show for him.
He could at least do the same.
He turned to his sister, touching her shoulder so she looked at him. "What do you think?" he asked gently.
He had a feeling his life - Kamio's life, everyone around him - depended on her answer. He didn't know what this young upstart had on this Lord to control such power, but he had something. Unless the rumors were true.
An's eyes met his, a flash of defiance in them she still tried to hide, and he smiled gently. "I would rather not," she said clearly. "I don't know…." She paused. "I don't even know his name. How am I to judge if he would make a good husband - a good ally for you - if I don't know him?"
Footsteps interrupted them and they both turned to the Samurai that approached. "Forgive me." The young man's smooth voice made Tachibana's skin crawl. "Let me introduce myself. I am Kirihara Akaya." He bowed to her, almost mocking her - but only almost.
Ibu hissed - at least, Tachibana hoped that's all he did, and that wasn't the sound of a drawn sword. It was sometimes difficult to tell. He knew that name. Kamio was right; there was no way he was going to let a beast like that come any where close to his sister. He glanced up at the redhead, who seemed to relax even as An stepped closer to him.
Now Tachibana understood what kind of trap they'd been led into. But they were prepared, they had their orders, and from the increase in tension, his men were willing and ready to do as he'd asked. "I believe," he said in a voice that carried well in the hall, "the price is too high."
There was no doubt that if they got out of there alive, they'd leave Kamio in the hands of a demon who would show no mercy.
"Too high a price?" Kirihara said, sounding stunned. "A mere woman, too high a price?"
"Enough," Yukimura snapped, and the younger Samurai stiffened an instant before backing away. "You have heard the rumors, then."
"Not that you had such a snake within your household," Tachibana said evenly. "But many concerning him, yes."
The epithet appeared to please Kirihara, and he practically preened. An shivered.
"They are not true," Yukimura said.
"One of us has corrupted sources," Tachibana replied conversationally. "Because many of them are true, and enough to bring into question the validity of the more... unbelievable ones." He shrugged. "But the point remains. The suit is rejected, both by the lady and by me. We will take our leave."
Tachibana bowed toward Yukimura, and turned to the four behind him. "Ishida, guard her with your life," he said quietly to the tallest of them. "And if necessary…."
Ishida nodded, swallowing hard. An looked up at her brother, then nodded and stepped up to walk between the tall man and his partner. They walked the length of the hall; Ibu fell in behind Tachibana, the better to guard his back, as Sakurai and Mori walked on either side of him.
"Do you hear that?" Kirihara asked as they reached the door, and when Tachibana looked behind him, his eyes were on the redhead barely able to keep his feet. "They will leave you to die."
"I expected nothing else," Kamio responded, his voice clear, proud - and then the doors closed behind them.
"We can't just leave him there," An said softly that night as they sat together to watch the stars.
"No," Tachibana said, just as quietly. "There's no guarantee he'll be alive, if we did go back."
"I'd rather know."
He let the silence sink in, looking up at the expanse over their heads. "I sent Sakurai for reinforcements," he said after a long moment. "If they answer, as I hope they do, we will have a better chance of getting him out of there."
She shifted, as if she wished to ask who he'd sent his man for, but said nothing but "thank you."
She was nearby when Sakurai returned the next evening, looking exhausted and worn. "They will come," he reported. "They will be here tomorrow."
Tachibana nodded. "Thank you," he said.
And wondered what Tezuka would ask of him for this.
Fudomine