Title: Royal Flush
Date: January 2, 2015
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Prince of Tennis characters.
Yakuza AU! As the kumicho grows older leaving behind no significant heir in the organization, Tezuka Kunimitsu is approached by senior boss Atobe Keigo for his support in the succession battle.
So I had this story on my computer for a while now… It took a lot of researching (thank you wiki), so hopefully it makes sense. I'm kind of hesitant posting this story, but due to the amount of work and research I put into this story I just had to post it.
The summary I have up is kind of vague… I'm awful at writing summaries. So here's a basic outline: This story follows Tezuka Kunimitsu (a 'shatei' or junior boss of a sub-divison in the Seishun region) and Echizen Ryoma (the son of the deceased Samurai Nanjirou who was a prominent figure in their organization back in the good ol'days). Tezuka's plot involves his role in the succession war and his mostly past relationship with a prostitute Fem!Fuji. Echizen's side of things involve dealing with being an orphan, fitting in at school, growing up and learning the Yakuza way of life. Sorry it's not a conventional romance fic, but if you like reading about character development and gang wars I pray you'll enjoy this fic. (I planned out this story while rewatching GTO a few years back, so hopefully this will have some of that feel) … Argh! I'm super nervous, please please review after and tell me if this fic is a hit or miss.
All the characters in this story are PoT characters. For Example: The 'kyodai' or the senior boss governing Seishun is Ishikawa Hiroyuki who is the headmaster of Seishun Gakuen in the original series (yup, thanks wiki!). So if you have any questions on who's who and what's what, just let me know. I'll hopefully try to answer any questions you might have.
Sorry for rambling! So on to the story…
WARNING: Fuji's a girl in this story. I generally don't gender bend, but I don't do male pregnancies (it just makes no anatomically physical and realistic sense)… hopefully that wasn't too much of a spoiler.
Royal Flush
Chapter 1
Water droplets streaked across tinted windows.
It was raining.
And the steady drizzling noise of pitter-pattering lulled Tezuka Kunimitsu into an almost listless stupor.
But he could hear the sounds of ruffling papers, and he turned to his companion sitting in the backseat next to him, "Is there no other family?"
Inui hummed, "Sure… probably distant, very distant relatives. I don't even think Rinko-san had a funeral ceremony. If there is still family left, they probably want nothing to do with her or her boy."
"Hn." Tezuka sounded and glanced out the window once more.
"Rinko-san must have lived a lonely life." Inui continued, "Married to the great Samurai… Although he's an idol in our world, I can imagine that every outsider who knew must have been terrified. She was no doubt living in isolation… even after they divorced and she got out, his legacy stuck with her. I guess it's true what they say: You can never escape your past."
"But you can pick yourself up and start your own legacy." Tezuka countered.
"I guess that's true." Inui chuckled, "Won't it be best if the kid grows up in the orphanage? There's a higher chance that it'll be a tough life, especially at his age and without a support system. Don't get me started on finances. But there's a higher chance that he'll be safer too."
"You said that you can never escape your past. And Echizen Ryoma is his father's son." Tezuka explained, "We can't say for certain that he'll be safer."
"The Samurai did leave behind a few enemies." Inui's lips curved the slightest bit upwards in fond memory.
"Nanjirou took me in." Tezuka pointed out, "He's my big brother. He's my father. His family is my family. The least I can do is repay the favour and make sure his boy is taken care of."
"I'm not arguing with you." Inui shrugged.
Slowly the car came to a stop.
"We're at the orphanage." Kawamura called out from the driver's seat.
"Good." He nodded, "You two wait in the car."
"At least take Taka-san with you." Inui suggested.
"No need." He shook his head, "We weren't being followed."
Opening an umbrella overhead, he stepped out of the car making sure to straighten his shirt and tie before going any further. Propping up the collar to his coat and making himself presentable, he strode towards the small orphanage taking note of the crumbling brick walls and clouded unkempt windows. Inui was right in saying that Nanjirou's offspring was probably going to live a tough life here… he just prayed he was making the right choice by coming here.
"Tezuka-san." A kind-faced older lady approached him, "Everyone here calls me obaa-san, so please feel free to do similar."
He extended a hand to the aging woman, "We spoke on the phone."
"Yes, yes." She shook his hand, "… Echizen Ryoma. Hm… he's a bit of a troublemaker. He likes to keep to himself… a bit of a lone wolf. But believe me, he's a good boy. A little misunderstood is all… confused and a bit angry. But you can't blame him when his mother passed away the way she did… Poor child is traumatized. He won't speak to anyone."
"Where is he?" He wondered aloud, scanning the hall for any signs of black hair and gold coloured eyes, eyes that the boy would have no doubt inherited from his father.
"Since it's raining… he's probably outside." She replied after consideration, "He doesn't like being around the other children."
"Thank you for caring for him." Tezuka lowered his head to the aging woman, "I will make sure that you are properly compensated for his accommodations, whether he chooses to come with me or not."
"No, no." She waved her hands in refusal, "We certainly couldn't accept it. Just knowing that he's cared for-"
"Please, I insist." Tezuka interrupted, "We always pay back debts where debts are due."
Since the left hand man to the Kumicho kicked the bucket, the senior boss of the Hyotei region was promoted to the shateigashira position. And in his place, Atobe Keigo took the reins. He honestly couldn't think of any background detail on the new senior boss, but it didn't matter. Since Atobe took leadership of the region, Hyotei has entered a golden age. They were bringing in the cash, they properly intimidated and bought out the authorities in their region, and the Hyotei branch was even thicker than thieves. They were efficiently run, life was great and everyone knew who was to thank for it. Atobe Keigo is deadly competent and not someone to be made an enemy of.
Tezuka Kunimitsu glanced at the two cards in his hand: A pair of nines.
But he could see the slight tilt to Atobe's trademark smirk as the dark haired man raised the pot. On his one side, Oishi and Momoshiro had both folded. And he noted that Oshitari and Akutagawa had already rested their hands long ago. There was already a pair of high kings sitting on the table…
"I fold." He slid his hand away.
"You always play it safe." The smirk across Atobe's face widened, "If you're wondering, I had an eight and a three. Chances are, whatever you were holding would have taken this round."
From his right side, he could hear Oshitari let out a small groan.
"You're unpredictable." He pointed out, paying no attention to Atobe's underling.
Atobe laughed, "So… I heard that you adopted some wayward child."
Tezuka took a look at his first card: A queen of spades… a two-faced card. The wise and mighty goddess Athena, yet a player can get arrogant and make mistakes deluded by the idea of being backed by her mighty strength.
"Kids are tough to handle. I worry that you might be over your head on this one." Atobe was smirking.
The dark haired man was always smirking.
"I'll raise." He threw a few chips into the pile, "If I need parenting tips, I'll be sure to ask you."
"I can tell you a victory," Atobe started as he too added a few chips to the pot, "Keisuke hasn't wet or shat himself in a month. I don't want to jinx it, but I dare say he's finally potty-trained."
And it was funny how something so simple as holding one's bladder could bring so much joy to a person, but Tezuka couldn't judge. He didn't have kids of his own and certainly wouldn't be able to relate. But Atobe looked happy enough that he was practically boasting to the dealer and those sitting next to him at the table about how his son did some sort of poo dance before running to the potty and performing the perfect act of defecation.
Surprisingly despite holding a reputation as being calculating and ruthless, Atobe Keigo had a different side to him. And for that, Tezuka couldn't help but feel the upmost relief that their organization's most merciless kyodai wasn't the same coldblooded man at home.
"I fold." Momoshiro looked like he was sweating bullets.
"Folded!" Akutagawa cheered, flipping his cards over to show a two and a seven off-suit.
"I also fold." Oishi quietly lowered his hand.
Oshitari was giving his boss a hard look, "… Check."
"Raise." Atobe replied all too casually tossing a few more chips to the pot.
"Fuck!" The navy haired man cursed, "I'm going to fold."
It was his turn. His second card was a queen of diamonds. The lady Rachel, Jacob's favourite wife. Certainly a good omen… At least he had a high pair.
He matched Atobe's raise.
And the dark haired man was smirking again.
The dealer drew the last card.
The queen of hearts… the lady seductress.
"All in." Atobe pushed the mountain of chips in front of him to the centre of the table, the smirk on his face only widening by the second.
There were two aces already sitting on the table. With his three queens, he had a full house.
Then again… Atobe Keigo was always unpredictable.
"All in." He also pushed all his chips into the pot, as he flipped his hand over.
"Three queens. Two aces." The dealer announced, "Full house."
And he didn't think it possible, but Atobe's smirk was impossibly broad.
Hyotei's senior boss laid down a ten of hearts and the suicide king.
"Ten of hearts, Jack of hearts, Queen of hearts, King of hearts, Ace of hearts." The dealer pointed out, "Royal Flush."
Atobe clapped his hands together, "Great game! Don't worry about the credit Tezuka. We were only playing for sport and need I remind you that this is my casino."
"Thank you." It was slightly unnerving, but in their world respect was everything. And he had to remind himself that in front of him was a higher up and a very influential man within their organization.
"Let's go to my office." Atobe suggested while standing up, "You four, please continue the game."
Oshitari and Akutagawa merely nodded, while his own Oishi and Momoshiro looked slightly hesitant.
"As Atobe-san said." He gave his subordinates a reassuring nod.
They walked through the long richly decorated hallways in silence. Numerous artworks of tigers adorned the walls… Tigers: a ferocious and untameable beast, the emblem of great kings and warriors. And as he trailed behind the senior boss' strides, he knew that hiding underneath that fitting tailored suit was the image of a vibrant tiger more terrifying than these walls of artwork. Atobe Keigo was renowned for his arrogance, and this display was pure narcissism at its finest.
"Kabaji." Atobe's voice rang out, ordering a tall man who blocked the door.
"Usu."
And they entered the dimly lit office that was ornamented and embellished just as richly as outside.
"Can I pour you a drink?" Atobe arched a questioning brow, "If I remember correctly, you're a traditionalist. I can have sake heated up."
"It's too much trouble." He reasoned, "Just pour me what you're having."
"Whiskey neat." Atobe replied, "Aged 60 years."
"Thank you." He nodded, as a crystal cup with swirling amber contents was placed in front of him.
"Let's have a talk." Atobe sat across from him, casually crossing his legs over despite the heavy tone in his voice, "Everyone knows that kumicho's old. He's getting weaker by the day, and growing senile by each passing second."
"Careful when addressing the kumicho." He had to warn simply out of formality to their big boss.
"Yea, yea." Atobe waved a dismissive hand, "He doesn't have long. And he didn't leave behind a son."
Tezuka knew what the other man was implying, but he wasn't going to be the one to say it out loud.
The dark haired man laughed, "You're a smart one Tezuka. So you must know that there's a succession war brewing."
He cleared his throat, "I would assume that the wakagashira would-"
"Banda?" Atobe snorted, "That old fucker has more enemies within our organization than he does outside."
And he recalled hearing a story of their current third in command taking in and mentoring the man sitting across from him.
Atobe's smirk widened as though reading his very thoughts, "Sakaki-san doesn't have the imagination to run this city."
He knew exactly what the other man was asking for, "Why are you asking for my support?"
"You're the Samurai's protégé." Atobe shrugged, "You're definitely competent and someone I would regard as an asset if on my side."
"Skill aside," He frowned, "We have a past. There's bad blood between us."
"Exactly." Atobe let out a thunderous laugh, "No one would suspect a thing."
"Yes." He had to agree, "But because of our history, there's a strong chance I'll refuse. Why are you taking this chance? You're planning mutiny in the ranks. This kind of talk is punishable by excommunication or death. How do you know I won't expose you to kumicho or to any of the other higher ups?"
"You're not stupid. You know if given the chance, I will take this family to heights those old men can't even dream of." Atobe took a long swig from his drink, "And also, you're probably the one man in this organization who still has a conscience. You gave up Shuu and practically offered her to me on a silver platter before I even had to ask… So I'm confident you'll do the right thing."
To be continued.
Notes: Kumicho is the Big Boss Snake Eater Fat Tony. Wakagashira is the title to kumicho's right hand man and first lieutenant (in this fic it's going to be Yamabuki's Banji). The title shateigashira is the left hand man and second lieutenant (music teacher Sakaki). Kyodai means big brother, or the senior bosses to a region of smaller individual gangs. Atobe is the kyodai of Hyotei. I mentioned in my opening notes that Ishikawa is the kyodai of Seishun. Shatei is the younger brothers, and they're the junior bosses under the kyodai. Tezuka is a shatei under Ishikawa. (Hope I got that right...)
I also hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter. I swear the story will pick up faster in future chapters. Please, please tell me what you think of this. (I'm honestly not used to writing his genre and I'm kind of freaking out)
Thanks for reading!