Hiiiiii~ A new story, stooooory.
This POT fanfic is based on Elaine Coffman's novel: 'If You Love Me'.
Of course, a few changes to be made.
If you have time then please read that wonderful Story. ^o^
This story is kinda mixed with the classical, tribal and royal type. In England.
But this story may have no tennis and some charas may be OOC.
Hope you guys like it.
Fem Ryoma, Fem Fuji, Fem Yukimura, Fem Shiraishi and Uhmm.. Fem Bakayaaa? :D :D [more details to be in the future chapters~~]
Uhm.. I present you the story? ^-^""
Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis nor the novel If You Love Me.
England, 1857
It was Christmas Eve at Emberly Hall.
The last notes of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" drowned out the sound of approaching footsteps that echoed down the long and wide hall leading to the Grand Ballroom. As the man and his companion passed by, the members of the household staff stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the strange sight, many pausing to whisper, asking just who he was.
" 'Tis the viscount," whispered the under-butler to the chambermaid. "Saints preserved us. The prodigal son has returned at last."
The butler reached for their coats. The man's companion allowed him to take hers, but the man waved him away.
Without waiting to be announced, the Earl of Warrenton's long-absent son threw open the great carved doors of the mansion and walked in—garbed in a great coat of grizzly fur, flakes of melting snow clinging to his now long and messy hair and some on his glasses.
The sight of him was enough to pull anyone up sharp, even those who had known him when he was a striking figure. It was not so much his great height that marked him but also the careless powerful looked he had.
There was something raw and unapproachable in his face, where the marks of a deep and profound sadness lay.
He was accompanied by a petite woman, the likes of which no one gathered at the Emberly Hall had ever seen, for she wore her hair in two long plaits that hung down her back, and her dress was made of antelope skin, decorated with animal teeth. On her feet were leggings that reached almost to her knees.
She walked like a cat on padded paws, entering the room as silently as a breeze drifting through an open window, passing undetected.
In spite of the gasps of surprise, the whispers of speculation, the shocked looks, the man spoke not a word but strode purposefully to where the Earl of Warrenton stood. He did not remove his great bear coat but merely slipped it back over his shoulders to reveal the worn buckskins beneath.
The woman followed him, walking a respectable distance behind, her head bowed slightly, as if it would be an insult for her to raise it and take a look at her surroundings.
The silence stretched on.
The Earl of Warrenton's long absent son was home at last, and no one dared to breath.
The silence was broken at last, when the earl's wife, Ayana, spoke through the fingers she had spread across her shocked mouth. "Kunimitsu? Dear God above! Is it really you?"
A slight, teasing smile broke through and played about his mouth. "A man can fool anyone but the woman who gave him birth. How are you, darling mother?"
Ignoring the exchange between his wife and son, the Earl of Warrenton's red, mottled face showed the extent of his outrage. "How dare you come in here…among your mother and your sisters and their families, dressed like the heathen you have become."
Ayana put her hand on her husband's arm. "Kuniharu, please…"
Kuniharu jerked his arm away and spoke to his son. "What is the meaning of this!?"
"Why, Father, I have come home for Christmas, as you can see. You did send for me, as I recall. Urgent, I believe the missive said."
Nothing moved. No one dared to speak. The room grew painfully quiet. Outside, even the wind that had been so bravely pelting the windows with icy snow only moments ago seemed to have grown meek and timid.
The only sound that could be heard at all was the heavy breathing of the earl, as anger flared deep in his gray eyes and his neck seemed to swell above his perfectly tied cravat. His nostrils flared as he gave his son a look of disdain. "You've been drinking."
Kunimitsu took a slight bow, wobbled a bit, then righted himself. "I have indeed, but not as much as I plan to." He pulled a bottle out of his coat and brought it to his lips.
His father reached out and slapped the bottle away. It fell with a splintering crash. Bits of glass went skittering across the highly polished floor. The strong smell of whiskey rose from the puddle of liquid on the oak floor to blend with the scents of Christmas that filled the room.
William appeared unfazed, his words coming slow, almost lazy. "I have more bottles.."
Once again, a hush fell over the room. For the longest time, no one said a word. The discomfort stretched on…and on…to the point of snapping.
On tiptoe, the younger children were led from the room. Other members of the family began to whisper as they moved back, as if trying to become one with the background as the battle lines were drawn.
Ayana looked from her husband to her son, as if she fought some inner battle. Then, without a word, she stepped forward and put her arms around her son and hugged him to her. "This is the most splendid Christmas present I could have had. I have prayed for your soul and your safe return since the day you left. I thank God that my prayers have been answered." She kissed his cheek. "Dearest Kunimitsu, I have missed you terribly."
"Thank you, Mother, for your prayers. I have missed you, too." He said, with none of the harshness, the anger in his words that had been present when he spoke to his father.
Ayana's gaze left her son's face and went to the strangely dressed woman who stood forgotten behind him. Only a curious sort of kindness showed in her eyes. "And your friend? Whom have you brought with you, Kunimitsu? Is she from America?"
"Yes, she…"
Kuniharu fingered the Masonic emblem on his watch chain, then stopped suddenly. "What are you doing, bringing a filthy servant into the midst of our family at a time like this? It is Christmas Eve. Have you lost your senses? Has the wild country cause you to forget your manners, your upbringing? Get her out of here! Now!"
"Kuniharu…"
"Stay out of this, Ayana. This is between Kunimitsu and myself. It is no concern of yours." He turned back to Kunimitsu. "Did you hear me? I said get her out of here."
"I heard what you said, but I am afraid you misunderstand. Walks Fast is not my servant."
"I don't care if…"
"She is my wife."
A gasp went around the room.
"Your wife?" Kuniharu's face grew stormy. "By God, is there no limit, no depth to which will you not sink?"
Kunimitsu shrugged. A smile played about his mouth. A spark of triumph gleamed in his eyes. "Apparently not."
And with that, Tezuka Kunimitsu, Viscount Linwood, the only son and heir of the Earl of Warrenton, turned and strode from the grand salon in Emberly Hall, and left his wife behind.
Everyone in the room turned to watch Kunimitsu go.
Everyone, save one person…
Only Ayana turned to look at the girl he had left behind and made an astounding discovery. For it was apparent to anyone who took time to study her, that although the girl was dressed in the garb of Indian…she was White.
The girl was Echizen Ryoma, and this is her story.
Shooo? How was it? =]
Please review~ ^ o ^