Hey-o! What's up everyone? Hope everyone's been good with everything's been good for everyone. I've had a few ideas about what story to do next but have had a hard time figuring out which one to start first and how to start it so I'm just gonna go at it.

Here's how updates are going to go; since I kept everyone waiting like weeks for the next chapter on my previous story, I'm going to write all of it and give like regular weekly updates or whatnot. I owe you at least that much… this is all a lie and I'll probably upload this chapter after I write the third one or something. I fucking knew it.

So I guess that it's going to be just a bit of an AU; going to give people different backstories and whatnot. And as always they are older than procured in the anime. Hopefully this won't be a complete failure when I'm done with it.

Now, I want all of you to raise you name if you the use of old characters. Don't do it. It'll just encourage her. Because I'm too lazy to think of new characters I'm going to use the ones from my other stories.

Welp let's do this again: I do not own Prince of Tennis. Done.

Here's Chapter One. Enjoy!


There's an old saying- "some things are better left unknown"- and that was a saying Echizen wanted to live by; whether it was about finding out what was in Inui's drinks or the fact that his father was a legendary tennis player. He had a lot of secrets that would be better left unknown but sometimes they have a way of revealing themselves in less than pleasant ways and have outcomes you could only dream of. Echizen didn't intentionally try to hide things; the fact of the matter is that they never came up so he never had to talk about them but there was one thing he refused to talk about and would be damned if he let anyone find out.

Everyone had started taking more of an interest in Echizen's life when they found out his mother died; offering help or comfort when they thought he needed it and asking about her side of the family. That's when he shut everyone out completely. Regularly he would just say a snarky comments and ask people why they wanted to know but when it came to his mother he never said a word and everyone just sort of stopped asking.

They always offered for him to stay at their houses because now it was just him and his father since Nanako went off to school and they noticed him being skittish whenever someone approached him. They also noticed bruising on various places and figured the worse; his mother's death affected his father more harshly than anyone could imagine. That was a few years ago and everyone just sort of let it go. The injuries stopped and Echizen was back to his old cocky self. He still wouldn't talk to anyone about it whenever the time of year came around; he completely ignored it even though his teammates we're still iffy on bring it up.

But still they lived their lives accordingly. They went to school, hung out during their free time, and played tennis. It wasn't until Seigaku had practice matches that everything started going wrong.

"Yatta! Kora Echizen, you're getting sloppy." Momo shouted from one end of the court as he got a point on Echizen.

Echizen merely frowned at the comment and served. "Momo-sempai you're getting sloppy." He smirked at the ball flew towards Momo's face then out. Several others on various courts laughed at the antics and shouting that was coming from them.

"It's a miracle those two get anything done." Oishi said.

"All they do is goof off. They should take things more seriously." Kaidou added.

"You should talk. Whenever you play Momo you two end up fighting for the rest of practice." Kikumaru pointed out. Kaidou sweat dropped.

"Well at least they're having a good time." Kawamura said.

"Ah. What's the point of doing something if you don't enjoy it?" Oishi asked.

"Oishi by that logic you're saying that everyone enjoys homework." Inui said adjusting his glassed.

"Saa I find homework relaxing." Fuji said with a smile. "You being to realize what you know and feel very satisfied." Everyone sweat dropped at the fact Fuji enjoyed homework.

Practice went on as it usually did. It wasn't until the end where it was only the regulars were left trying to perfect their moves. Tezuka and Inui were going over what everyone needed to work on but seeing that Echizen was good with just about everything he was working on his serves and how to get them to curve different directions. He got a strange sensation down the back of his neck and when he looked up he saw someone in a hoodie walking onto the court towards him.

"What business do you have here?" Tezuka asked him as he walked onto the court. The person just kept walking towards Echizen. "If you have something to discuss with one of the members you can talk to me or wait until after practice is complete."

The person just kept walking until he was across the court from Echizen. "Echizen… Ryoma?"

"Nani?" Echizen just kept working on his serves. "I don't know who you are so I would appreciate it if you wou-" His racket suddenly clanged to the ground. He looked at the person to see a handgun pointed at him.

"O-Oi!" The others didn't know what to do; never being faced with this situation. They could cough and get someone shot. Echizen also didn't know what to do. He never thought that this would happen; at least not at school where there were multiple witnesses if anything happened but then again it put everyone in danger; not just the fact that there was someone holding a gun to him but if he managed to get away and someone managed to see his face they would automatically become a target.

"I would like to say it's a pleasure to finally meet you after all the stories I've heard about what you've done at such a young age." He said scratching his head with the butt of the gun. "Oh how the mighty have fallen." He pointed the gun back at Echizen. "Say hello to your mother for me."

Echizen's eyes widened a bit. That proved his theory about what the confrontation was about. He needed to do something so no one else would get hurt but what could he do? He wasn't prepared for this. He was going to get shot in front of all his friends and if he was lucky he would be the only one. He was going to try something but before he could a shot was fired and then a second one right after that.

The regulars were traumatized; their teammate just got shot and for all they knew they were next. They were even more surprised to see the gun of the attacker fly from his hand and skid across the court. The attacker looked around for the source then ran to claim his gun again but before he could reach it he heard a click behind him.

"Picking that up would be a very stupid thing to do." The attacker glanced behind him the rushed and picked up the gun attempting to shot whoever was behind him but was too slow and got pistol whipped and knocked out. "Aah- you people never learn. You must be stupider than we thought seeing as you attacked him of all people." He took the gun from the unconscious person on the ground then turned around to see Echizen holding his arm. "Taichou daijobou?"

Echizen frowned at the person in front of him. "I told you last time don't call me that." He took his hand away from his bloody arm to see the injury he obtained.

He walked over to Echizen and examined his arm. "The bullet is still in there isn't it?" Echizen nodded. "Come on. I'll get it out for you." He and Echizen started walking over to the club room passing all the confused regulars on the way. "You come too." He grabbed Kikumaru by his wrist.

"M-Matte." Kikumaru was dragged with them in the club room while the others followed and watched what was happening.

"I take it by how they're reacting that you haven't told them?" He said as he put Kikumaru in a position behind Echizen to keep him still.

"They don't need to know. They have no part in this." Echizen winced as his arm was pulled from his side.

"Well now you're going to have to tell them seeing as they're all a part of it whether you like it or not." He put his gun down and pulled tweezers from his back pocket. "I mean it's been three years. I figured you'd want to tell them so they would be more prepared for what they're in for." He took the tweezers and started searching for the bullet in Echizen's arm.

"I don't want- them to be a part of this." Echizen bit back a yell from coming out. "Can't you be gentler Yukio? I know- you don't have feelings but- this hurts more than you can imagine."

"Aah come on. That hurt. I have feelings. I mean I didn't shoot you're attacker even though I know I should have." Yukio complained. He looked a few years older than Echizen with dirty blonde hair.

"If you had you know there- would be consequences." Echizen squirmed as the tweezers went in farther. "Did you get it yet?"

"Just about- got it." Echizen let out a relieved sigh as Yukio pulled the bullet from his arm. "That one was a doozy. You didn't even cry this time. You've moved up on my respect line Taichou."

"Oi Echizen." Momo stepped into the room. "Are planning on telling us what the hell just happened or do we have to put it together for ourselves?"

"I'd prefer not telling you at all." Echizen remarked as Yukio started bandaging his arm.

"Can't do that Taichou. I know you think it would be safer but it could end up causing more harm than good." Yukio said as he finished with Echizen. "You should tell them everything but- not here. There's no telling how many more of those guys are around."

"What do you suggest then?" Echizen got up and rotated his arm.

"Might as well take them to the source so they fully understand how serious this is and you're not joking." He left the room.

The regulars stared at Echizen waiting for some sort of response. "What he said was true. Not knowing might be more dangerous. It's not something I wanted anyone to find out about but its looks like my secret is up. I won't force you but to better understand what may come your way you should come with us but I have to say that once you know everything there's no going back to how things used to be."

"Taichou." Yukio was outside with the attacker slung over his shoulder and a bag over his head. "Haiyaku. There could be more of them and we're not prepared." Echizen sighed and gathered his things then went outside with Yukio and started walking. "If you guys don't hurry then you'll be left behind."

The regulars were still hesitant at what Echizen was saying but followed nonetheless. They walked through the streets and down allies until they finally reached an old warehouse; all the outer windows are basically broken, the paint was peeling, there was an old rusted car sitting outside of it. They pried the door open which was easier said than done seeing as it was almost rusted shut and all went inside forcing the door shut behind them.

"You guys really fixed this place up since I was last here." Echizen commented looking at everything as they went walking through.

"This is fixed up?" Kaidou asked as he kicked an old can.

"You should've seen it when we first got it. Half the roof was caved in and some of the walls were missing." Yukio said with a smile. "We've been slowly fixing it up and adding a few homey touches to make it better."

"Homey touches?" Fuji asked.

"The only thing that would feel at home in here would be rats." Momo said.

"Like your room is cleaner Momo." Kikumaru teased.

"Okay, okay. This place isn't that great yet but we've been fixing up the main part and not really bothering with the outside." They walked to the other side and reached a door. Yukio knocked. "We don't want everyone else to know where this place is. It would put everyone in even more danger than they're already in."

A slit in the door opened. "Password?"

"Password? What are you talking about we don't have a password." Yukio pointed out.

"Yes we do." The person on the other side of the door said. "We thought of it while you were gone."

"Well if I was gone I wouldn't know it would I?" Yukio asked. "Honestly Lyon. Let us in."

"Who is us?" Lyon asked trying to look behind Yukio. "Who did you bring with? You know we can't have outsiders here."

Yukio sighed. "Taichou- Lyon is being stubborn."

"Why can't you work out your problems like adults?" Echizen huffed. "Lyon open up."

"Bocchan?" He tried to look through the slot. "Is he with you?"

"Let us in and you'll see." The guy on Yukio's shoulder started moving. "And make it quick. This guy is waking up and I have questions to ask."

Lyon opened the door and Yukio rushed in. Echizen walked in and Lyon latched himself onto him. "Bocchan okaeri."

The rest of the regulars followed in suit and were met with gazes of the people who were inside. There was a man with shoulder length brown hair on a scissor lift in a white shirt and jumpsuit up to his waist, another one sitting on a couch with long red hair back in a ponytail with a younger guy sitting next to him with short brown hair.

"Taichou okaeri nasai." They all greeted him but focused on the group behind him.

"Tadaima." Echizen greeted them back and tried to get further into the room but it wasn't easy with a full grown man hanging on him. "Lyon get off of me."

"Aah Bocchan it's been such a long time since you've come to visit." Lyon started rubbing is face against Echizen's. "I've missed you so much."

"Taichou you the people behind you-" The red head started.

"I'll get to that if you can get this thing off me." Echizen said as he started to push Lyon away. "This was the main reason I didn't want to-" He cringed suddenly from the force on his injured arm.

"Echizen are you alright?" Oishi asked as he approached Echizen to better look at his arm.

Lyon held Echizen tighter and turned him so Oishi couldn't look at him. "Keep away from Bocchan. People such as you shouldn't be able to look at him."

Oishi was taken aback and about to remark but Kikumaru got there first. "Haa? What are you talking about? You can't keep Ochibi to your sell and you say we can't look at him but you don't seem to do anything after you hurt him. You're the one who shouldn't look at him." He placed his hands on his hips and glared.

Lyon raised an eyebrow at Kikumaru then looked down to Echizen. "Bocchan I do wish that you would stop hanging out with trash like this bunch. It's no good for you." All the regulars frowned.

"So I should stop hanging out with you is what you're saying?" Echizen glared at him. "I'm not going to stand by and listen to you belittle my friends. If I should stop hanging out with the trash then why are you still here? Now I'm going to tell you again; take your hands off me." Lyon released Echizen to which Echizen walked past him and gestured for the regulars to follow.

"Are you alright Echizen?" Oishi asked a second time.

"Ah I'm fine." Echizen replied as he was rubbing his arm.

"Echizen how can you be fine if you were just shot and had a bullet fished from your arm?" Kaidou asked.

"Is it bad to say that I've gotten used to it?" He replied as they got to another door.

"YES." They all shouted going into the next room. They were followed by the three from the other room seeing as Lyon was sulking by the entrance. The room they went into was rather large and plain; having only a large table and chairs in it. He gestured for all the regulars to sit while the other three stood behind him as he took a seat. He introduced the three behind him; the middle aged one in the jumpsuit was Tanaka, the red head Josiah, and the other was Jaeger.

"There's no easy way to put this." Echizen started scratching the back of his head. "You guys are the last ones I wanted to find out about this. I told you all that when I went to America three years ago and my mother was kill in a car accident. That wasn't- necessarily true. My mother did die when we went to America but it was no accident." He interlocked his fingers and rested his head on his hands.

"Taichou are you sure you should tell them?" The Josiah asked.

"When we went to America, it wasn't just for a tennis tournament otherwise I would have gone alone. Kaa-san needed to go into hiding for a while so the whole family went. Everything went by just fine the first few weeks but the day we were going back to the airport someone smashed into our taxi killing her and the driver. It was when we got taken to the hospital that we found out that that crash had intended to kill myself and my father as well. We had to deal with the contacts over there before we could come back and when we did we had to do the same over here."

"That's why the trip took longer than you original said." Fuji said to clarify.

"Ah. The last three years when you've seen the injuries on me wasn't from my father like you all suspected but from more incidences like that." Echizen awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "My mother- was the leader of a mafia group called 'The Velvet Ravens' and her death caused an uproar between clans and clan allies about who should be the next leader."

"Echizen are trying to say that you're going to be the leader of a mafia group?" Kawamura asked.

Echizen glared and pulled something out of his pocket. "My mother gave this to me before she died and with it the right to lead the group." He pulled out a silver ring with a ruby in the center of it and small diamonds encircling it. "This is the bosses ring while all the underlings have similar rings." The three behind him held their hands up to reveal silver rings with small rubies in them.

"Kirei." Kikumaru said leaning out of his chair to get a better look at them. "How come you never wear it Ochibi?"

He shoved the ring back in his pocket. "After we came back from America there was a meeting between the clans; the leaders of the ones that had opposed The Ravens had been trying to take control seeing that we only had members there. I arrived and all our allies recognized me immediately and were thankful I wasn't injured. They also accepted me as their leader when I showed them I had the ring." He leaned back in his chair. "Ever since that day there have been attacks that seemed to happen one after another and I had to learn how to defend myself if I was ever alone so every day after practice I would come here and they would teach me."

"Taichou has become quite skilled at hand to hand combat and with a fire arm." Jaeger said as he places his hand on Echizen's head. "Of course he should never need to use them seeing as we're always there for him."

"What about today?" Inui asked.

"Oi I was there wasn't I?" Yukio said as he came into the room.

"Not quick enough apparently." Josiah said. "You let him get shot."

"Like you haven't made mistakes before Jo." Yukio retorted.

Echizen sighed. "Did you get any information from him or not?" Yukio shook his head. "Deal with it later then." He got out of his chair and headed for the door. "I'm sorry all of you had to find out about this. I've tried to not get anyone involved but after the stunt that bastard pulled I can't keep hiding it. As of now you all are involved in this and it's something you can't get out of and I'm sorry."

"Are you kidding?" Momo shouted practically jumping out of his chair. "This is so cool. My best friend is a mob boss. Ne, can I put a hit out on Mamoshi? What'll it cost?"

"Nandatou?" Kaidou got out of his chair. "Can't do anything yourself so you run to someone else to fight your battles for you stupid peach."

"You wanna go?" Momo and Kaidou were at each other's throats.

"O-Oi." Oishi and Kawamura tried to calm them down.

"If you two fight can you please take it outside?" Echizen said as he went into the first room.

"We just got these chairs and don't need any broken." Tanaka added as he ushered everyone into the room after Echizen. Hey all stayed in there for a bit while Echizen gave them more details about everything that has been going on the past three years and what to expect in the future.

"Echizen you know we'll usually support you in the choices you make-" Tezuka started.

"I know what I'm asking is completely out of control but this is the best way to keep you safe. All the times we've done stuff as a group, there's no telling how many times I could've been killed in front of all of you." He answered.

"But why was today different from the other times?" Inui asked.

"It's the fact that you all saw it happen. Mob bosses are smart and won't order a hit in broad daylight unless the target is completely alone. There's no telling how many people were watching today and now they know that you all know and it puts everyone in danger."

"So what happened then? Why were you attacked in broad daylight with witnesses?" Fuji asked.

"That's a mistake of a new boss or he was acting without orders. Either way it was stupid; attacking the boss of one of the top clans by yourself." He huffed. "I know this will change your life completely but if you want a better chance at seeing tomorrow then you should take this offer."

"Oi Echizen. You could say you're making us an offer we can't refuse." Momo could barely contain his laughter.

"It's exactly like that Momo-sempai." Echizen smirked. "Now, will you accept?" The regulars all gathered to talk amongst themselves. As they did Echizen went to the others about what had happened earlier that day.

"He still won't talk?" He asked Yukio.

"No." Yukio looked annoyed. "If this was a mistake by another clan boss then they picked a good person to do it I'll give them that."

"Do what you have to get him to talk. I want names." Yukio nodded and walked away. "Where's everyone else? Or has my clan dissolved so much while I was away?"

"They'll be around." Jaeger said. "You do remember this isn't the main HQ right?"

"Of course I do otherwise there would be dozens of people here wrecking everything."

"Echizen." He turned to see all the regulars staring at him. "We will join."

Echizen smirked in response. "Yosh." Josiah went a grabbed a box which contained several smaller boxes in them. "Then I announce-" He gave each of them a box with their initials on them. "-you are all now-" They opened them to see rings. "-officially part of The Velvet Ravens."


Yay. How was that? Chapter one of a new story. I forgot how hard it is to start a new story. I mean geez. How the hell did I do it with the other ones? We don't care. Good neither do I.

Welp hope you guys liked it. I don't think I've ever made a first chapter over four thousand words so be grateful that I took like five hours out of my day to write this for you. You don't do anything productive though. You would've been on the computer all day anyways. Shut up.

Did you get that? That little bit in there? Right at the end? Corny God Father references throughout the story. I will not lie, I laughed way too hard when I wrote that. You laugh at the stupidest things. Hush now.

Don't forget to tell me everything you thought about this. I ain't telling you anything. It'll give me inspiration to write so you get your chapters faster.

Sorry for grammar and spelling and stupidness and corniness and overall horribleness of this story so far. It's only the first chapter… she doesn't have any confidence. No I do not.

Hope you guys like it!

See ya next time!