A/N: Well, here it is! The first multi-chapter Fudomine fanfic that's part of my larger A Song for Crows arc. Sleeping Lion focuses on Tachibana Kippei, how he gave up tennis only to rediscover it and rebuild it with Fudomine and lead a no-name, underdog team to the Nationals. I adore Fudomine and think that school's tale makes a more compelling story than the prince who came from America's does. I've tried to merge manga with anime as much as possible.
Disclaimer:I wish I owned Prince of Tennis, any of its characters or any part of it, but I don't!
Warnings: Slash. Shonen-ai. Yaoi. BL. Whatever you call it, it's alluded to in this fic, so don't read it if you can't stand it. The rating is accurate, however… This fic is smut-free. Watch out for mild language and some innuendo. Not every tennis player is gay--mostly because I find that unrealistic--but several are, some are hetero and some are bi (just like in real life).
Pairings: Tachibana/Chitose, Tachibana/Yuuta (later chapters), others
I love all feedback, reviews, and critiques. Flames will be tossed in the fireplace!
The Sleeping Lion
1 - Catalyst
A sound, not quite gasp and not quite chuckle, escaped Chitose's throat.
"Wow. Are you positive you haven't done this before?"
Tachibana Kippei leaned his damp forehead against his partner's, the strangled pants issuing from his throat the only answer he could manage.
"I mean, you were so … masterful." Chitose purred. Kippei felt a flush warm his cheeks. "Man, all I did was give you a little tongue and next thing I knew I was flat on my back."
Kippei silently thanked the dusk that both transformed his room into shadow and concealed yet another blush. Senri had spent the three weeks since Nationals teasing his best friend and tennis rival: An accidental stroke of his hand across Kippei's bare belly when reaching for his locker, a hungry glance that scorched up and down his body when the pair faced off across the net, languid, soapy stretches in the clubhouse showers with only Kippei to witness. Kippei knew Senri, and he knew full well that every movement had been a carefully calculated ballet intended to awaken the sleeping lion.
He dipped his head and kissed the bite mark that marred Chitose's skin just below his collar bone.
"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"This guy pounds me like a pile driver, delivers the best mind-numbing sex I've ever had and worries that he hurt me?
"Senri—"
"Want to try for thirds?"
"Senri!"
"Okay, okay." Chitose stretched languidly beneath Kippei. Smirk followed stretch when the blond couldn't suppress his involuntary response. "Feels to me that you're … up … for another helping."
Kippei silenced his tormentor the only way he knew how.
Some while later.
"Can I have my hands back now?"
Kippei burst into laughter. Still, he loosened his grip and allowed Senri to wriggle free of his confinement. "God, Senri! Doesn't anything shut you up?"
"Mmmmm. I can think of a few things. Want me to enumerate, Simba?"
"Grr."
This time, it was Chitose's turn to laugh. Kippei rolled to the side, grateful for the cool breeze that swept through his open window and cooled his overheated body.
"You sure you can't stay the night?"
"Nah, my folks put me on a curfew after they saw my last chemistry test." Chitose rubbed at his wrists. "Damn, Kippei. I'm just now getting some feeling back in my arms. I always forget how strong your grip is. Good thing wrist bands hide bruising." Chitose ruined his pout by winking. "You beast."
Kippei caught one of Senri's hands and planted a soft kiss on his wrist. "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"It's all good. I should know better than to tease you. When you let go, you really let go, don't you? All that bottled up passion. Mmmmmmm." Chitose cupped Kippei's jaw before he sank his fingers in the other boy's shaggy, blond mane. "Can you blame me for being intrigued?"
"Hey, Senri?"
"Hmmmm?"
"About—"
Chitose kissed him, deep and swift, and then sat up. "You think too much, Kippei." Chitose fished around on the floor for his pants.
Kippei watched light and shadow undulate across his boyfriend's back. He wanted to preserve this moment, lift it out of time and lock it away someplace safe. He wanted to pull Senri back down and make sweet love to him. Or slam into him for some spine-numbing sex. Preferably both. Whatever it took to keep the other boy by his side.
He wanted to tell him how much he loved him.
But that, according to Chitose, qualified as "thinking too much." He was really into that laid back, free and easy, hippie act of his.
So instead, Kippei watched his lover pull on his clothes and said nothing. No, Chitose wasn't one for words and serious moments. But they loved each other. Kippei often was confused about a lot of things when it came to Chitose, but that wasn't one of them. He reached out and trailed his index finger down the other boy's spine, coming to rest at the cleft of his lover's buttocks. Chitose shivered, and Kippei grinned. No, some things weren't confusing at all.
He stood and also began to dress. His little sister's recital must be over by now. Soon An and his parents would be home. He didn't want anyone to burst into his room and find him sprawled on the bed, naked and satiated. He tossed a pillow at Senri. Naturally, the Divine Dragon dodged. He had excellent reflexes.
"An's been doing some serious crushing on you, ya know."
Chitose sniggered. "I know. She's a cute little thing. Maybe I'll start a Tachibana collection."
Silence.
"Joke, Kippei. Joke."
More silence.
"God, this sister fixation of yours isn't healthy, you know. People will get the wrong idea."
"Gross!"
"Hah. I knew that'd get a rise out of you. Relax, Kippei, there's only one Tachibana for me." Chitose shrugged into his shirt, turned, grabbed Kippei's chin and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips.
"But you do know I like girls, too, right?" He added as his parting shot. "Don't see me out. Get some rest." He waved jauntily and added, "Don't fall in love with anyone while I'm away." With that he was gone.
