Title: Indigo
Author: The Cryptic Butterfly
Rating: M
Pairings: Ryoma/Momo, One-sided Tezuka/Fuji (main COUPLE), Golden Pair and lots of little minor ones.
A/N: I have yet to finish the series as of now, but as I get down to the last episodes and learn of new characters they will be added accordingly, so if your favorite character does not appear in the first few chapters don't despair. They probably will later on, unless of course I can't find enough information about them and/or don't remember them too well. Oh, and I'm always open for new ideas, so don't be afraid to speak up.
One more thing, I have taken creative liberties here and messed with a few of their ages, so no complaining. Any other need to know facts shall be at the bottom of every chapter. Check there before asking any questions, thank-you. Now enjoy and please review when you are done.
Chapter One: The New Racquet
The grand corridors and passageways of Seishun Palace were still in the cool morning light as the sun peaked over the hills in the West to greet the land. The imposing main hall with its enchanting crystal ceiling and mirrored walls could literally take the breath out of anyone whose eyes fell upon it. A gentle breeze blew the silk curtains with a hushed natural song. Normally these types of mornings are to be praised and enjoyed to their fullest, but the calm of this one was broken by light footsteps echoing off the marble floors.
A figure shrouded in white rushed past the array of portraits and statues lining the hall and down the staircase that led to the Racquets' quarters. Light brown hair barely brushed the bared shoulders and every once in awhile a pale hand would move the illuminated strands up and out of the face. As the white satin spun around a corner, the figure was stopped by a rather tall man wearing a plain brown robe obviously off to use the main bath.
They stared at each other for a few seconds before the man made a small smile and said with a soft spoken tone, "Fuji I didn't expect to see anyone else awake this early! Are you returning from the baths?" He gestured to the loose clothing the other man was holding tightly around him thinking they must be a robe of some kind.
Catching his breath, Fuji pulled his shirt up over his shoulders properly and nodded. "Yes, I am. Now if you'll excuse me I must prepare for the day Taka-san." He bowed shortly before hurrying off to his rooms. Once the strong door was securely shut, he slipped to the floor to lean on it with a tired sigh. His delicate fingers moved to his neck where they tugged a silver chain out of the confines of the light shirt and cradled the gold ring which was placed on it. After examining it for a minute, Fuji clutched it tightly and tilted his head down onto his knees to let out a small cry.
Before midday he emerged from his chambers dressed in rich clothes of blue and white smiling brightly at all he saw. Deep in his mind though, he felt the cool metal at his collar bone and couldn't help a small frown from marring his perfect face every now and then.
Racquet was the name given to any individual with excelled fighting skills under a ruling name. They were the strongest swordsmen, sorcerers, shinobi, and more that a kingdom had to offer. To be entered into the ranks of the Racquets was an honor above all honors, although it didn't happen often. The Kingdom of Seigaku only supported eight and the other kingdoms around it didn't support many more or less either.
It was too much surprise then when an official carrying a letter with the Queen's seal arrived in the small town of Temple asking around for a supposed Racquet recruit in the area. The townsmen all pointed to one house without hesitation when questioned on the whereabouts of such a man though. Only one man could ever be deemed a Racquet in Temple, although the messenger was shocked when he met him.
Miniscule height and an unknown name, Echizen Ryoma was not what Arai Masashi had pictured when he had been sent on this mission. Someone more along the lines of the muscular tall Kaidoh-san was what he had imaged, or even someone like the graceful calm Fuji-san would have worked, but definitely not this kid. The only thing that made Arai slightly pleased with the new recruit was how he oozed confidence from every pore, much like the Prince did.
"Staring isn't polite you know."
Arai snapped out of his musing and quickly glanced away from the man he'd been staring at for who knows how long. With a slight blush of embarrassment, the messenger hoisted the recruit's things up onto the horse's back. He really needed to get his attention span under control, or he'd never become a Racquet.
After saying his farewells to his family and double checking his things for any item that might be missing, Ryoma climbed onto his horse and the two set out. The trip to Seishun, Seigaku's capital city, would take only two days which Arai quickly became grateful for. The young prodigy was not in the least bit good company and stayed quiet for most of the journey. The only conversation Arai the two truly had was when he'd asked Ryoma what kind of a fighter he was, and that had ended in embarrassment as well.
"Daisho, a wakizashi and katana. You, Arai-san?"
"I use a tanto usually, but Kikumaru-senpai has been generous enough lately to teach me a few spells." Arai had answered proudly. To be trained personally by a Racquet, and one of the greater ones at that, was an honor many would never receive. (1)
Ryoma yawned a little blinking out over the peasant fields and houses as they reached the top of a hill. "Magic is not a skill one should brag about as it requires little effort and hardly any skill. A three-year-old could cast a spell, but only a seriously trained man can wield a sword efficiently."
Arai was taken aback at the harsh response. "Surely you don't think so little of Fuji-dono our sorcerer!" (2)
"That is a different matter all together. While magicians reuse spells learned from others, a sorcerer creates his own unique spells and can adjust them accordingly. Sorcerers are true wielders of magic and should never be confused with trivial magicians." Ryoma readjusted his swords and wouldn't say another word on the matter, leaving Arai to feel a little insignificant.
Arai soon learned that is how the recruit took every situation, finding a way to make it out in his advantage and humiliating the other thoroughly. Arai couldn't do a thing about it either since the younger man did it so politely and well that doing so would bring more shame down upon him.
The two days could not be over fast enough.
"Nya, Fujiko! Did you hear? A new Racquet recruit is coming in today!"
Closed blue eyes and a serene smile turned to watch the hyper bakeneko run across the training grounds towards him. Fuji wiped his brow with his sleeve and walked up to meet him. He already knew about the new recruit, but he'd humor Eiji as always. The cat was always such a refreshing mood lifter to him, and today he desperately could use that. (3)
Eiji paused to catch his breath before spouting out, "Nya, they say he's only eighteen as well! Can you believe that? We were at least twenty-two before we joined the Racquets! I wonder what he's like!" The red-head bounced on the balls of his feet as he spoke, his long tail swinging about happily.
"Indeed he does sound intriguing," Fuji replied with a smile. He glanced over his friend's shoulders and his eyes focused on a man entering the courtyard. "Please excuse me; I need to talk to someone." He stepped around Eiji and headed over to the entrance a bit quicker than his normal walking pace, but few would notice. "Tezuka-sama!"
"Fuji-dono, gather the Racquets as the recruit shall be here shortly,"
Fuji almost frowned at such a to-the-point greeting, but he kept his trademark smile in place and bowed respectfully. "As you wish heika. Might I speak with you later then on less important matters?" (4)
"I doubt there will be time, but I'll see."
"Of course," Fuji bowed again as Tezuka turned to leave and then went through the mindless task of gathering his fellow fighters. Secretly though, he glanced over his shoulder to watch the retreating form with an uncharacteristic frown. A hand went up to clutch the ring he kept hidden for a second before he turned back around to continue his job. He'd deal with the Prince later; right now there was a new recruit that just had to be taught his place.
And indeed, Echizen Ryoma needed to be taught his place. As soon as the dark-headed teenager entered the palace walls he'd been nothing but belittling in nature at everything he saw. Arai couldn't help but thank Kami-sama that he only had to deal with him for a few more minutes otherwise he might just go insane.
A servant came to take their things and horses away as another led them to the Queen's Tearoom for introductions. Stepping into the room nine pairs of eyes fell upon them. Ryoma bowed respectively noticing three of the eight Racquets of the Seigaku court and the Queen Ryuzaki herself seated before him. Arai was dismissed and eagerly left as a page took Ryoma's katana and placed it on the katana-kake nearby, the hilt on the left as tradition called for. This way it had to be removed with the left hand and passed to the right in order to be used properly, something that had saved many individuals lives. His wakizashi remained at his side as he took the seat offered to him by the servant. (5)
"Echizen Ryoma, you are here today because reports claim you to be of Racquet capabilities." A brunet man began standing from his seat to the right of the queen. He wore wire frame glasses and the neat blue Racquet uniform. Golden stars lined the edges where the shirt was buttoned together, pinning the man at once to be the Racquet leader, Tezuka Kunimitsu, Prince of Seishun. (6) "We will observe you in a series of tests and then determine where to place you among our ranks. Do you agree to this?"
Ryoma nodded his head curtly. "That is why I came today after all." The sarcasm was obvious in his voice and those present could almost not believe what they were hearing. No one had ever disrespected the Prince before, and almost certainly not to his face.
Tezuka either didn't notice or didn't care as he continued, "Please retrieve your weapon and exit through the door on your left. Someone will be with you shortly."
The recruit stood, bowed, and did just that. As he exited Fuji noticed something that made him smile in amusement before he followed the others out to the right. This kid would most certainly be intriguing after all.
1-Daisho is a samurai technique of carrying two swords, usually a katana being the main sword and a wakizashi being the side sword. A tanto is a small knife/dagger.
2-Dono being used here to mean 'Lord'. Fuji-dono means literally Lord Fuji. Lords in this story are sorcerers or high-ranked officials.
3-A bakeneko is a cat demon, and used here to mean a were-cat.
4-Heika when used alone means 'Your Majesty'. Fuji is being respectful.
5-This is a real tradition for a daisho. A katana-kake is simply a stand in which one would place a katana on upon entering a building or room. The side sword is never removed and a samurai would most likely wear it wherever he went, even to sleep at night.
6-Princes in this story are the leaders of certain cities. Seishun is the capital city and although it is where the royal family lives it also has a Prince, Tezuka.
Please review and tell me your thoughts. Please be aware that any information I gathered during my research came from a sometimes unreliable source, so if you notice a mistake please inform me and I will correct it as soon as I can. The main action begins in the next chapter which I hope to have out very soon. Thank-you for reading, please come again.