Gun to the Head
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis. I just play with the characters.
There had been rumors going around for weeks now. "The higher officers are weak." "They don't have the skills." "Indecisive." "There's a tidal wave coming."
There is a tidal wave coming.
Yukimura took rein of Rikkai with the strength and calm of the creeping vine.
Days afterward, those of Rikkai held their breaths. No one was sure what to expect, nor what was expected. But all looked on when one of the younger members strode forward toward the heart of headquarters. Granted, he stood out, dressed in a summer yukata when autumn bore down hard and fast. There was no tattoo visible where the yukata hung low and revealed bare skin, and people wondered.
"Oyabun, my name is Niou Masaharu." With a cocksure grin, he made a sweeping bow, rattail falling over his naked shoulder. Only when Yukimura lifted his head did he rise again, and he saw the sharp glint when their eyes briefly met. He'd chosen well, he thought, but he was always good at judging characters. And Yukimura - this man was undoubtedly better.
"Come have a drink with me. Sanada, Yanagi, will you join us?"
They danced around each other, careful game of words until Niou was reading twenty, thirty steps ahead and understanding that all paths led to too much given, too little gained. Yukimura only smiled when he spread open a fan and began idly waving it. "I'd like to offer my services to you."
"Then I'd like to offer you another drink," and Yukimura waited for Niou to accept the cup before continuing. "And a job."
Niou didn't say anything, merely raised an eyebrow and waited patiently.
"Choose a partner, and show me what you can do." Yukimura turned his attention away from him to Sanada then, and Niou took it as indication he was dismissed.
"Niou Masaharu, age 24." Yanagi's voice stopped him halfway to the door. "Birthday December 4th, height 175cm, weight 62kg. Family consists of father, mother, older sister, and younger brother. His main weapon is a set of metal fans, though he is well-versed in most guns as well. Favors strategy, with a flair for show. I'd suggest tracking down Yagyuu Hiroshi perhaps, or Jackal for his solidity."
It was creepy. It made all his earlier tiptoeing seem inconsequential, for while it wasn't a lot of knowledge on him, it was enough with the potential of more. "Yagyuu huh?" and it was a relief to himself that he gave no hint of having been unsettled. "I'll see." He gave a snappy salute before trotting off.
The three watched his retreating back, before Sanada shifted his gaze to Yanagi. "Was that really necessary?"
"No, but it was interesting, wasn't it?"