Title: Profound Contract

Author: NausicaA

Disclaimer: Gokusen, from the character of Shin that Jun Matsumoto plays exceptionally well, to that famous Yakuza teacher we love so much, is not mine…sadly.

Summary: Few people knew the truth. For the past four years he had studied under the greatest fighter Ryuichiro Kuroda could find. He was armor…he was shield, and whether she wanted him or not, he would fulfill his profound contract.

Author's Note: Wow! I have had this story line in my head soooo long…it's about time I put my two cents out there for other Gokusen lovers. Profound Contract will be based on the live-action drama, after the second season with a dash of manga flavor thrown in. I always wondered, probably like so many of you, what if Shin didn't go to Africa? This will not be an easy journey for our two beloved characters…

Special thanks to Ayuki who was kind enough to agree to beta this story and Yuriko who helped me hash out the plot idea. Enjoy!

Chapter 1—Farewell and Fatality

Profound is an all-encompassing word when you think about it. It can contain so many different meanings: "Difficult to fathom, extending below the surface, characterized by intensity, feeling, and quality". It was all these things and more that were attached to the unwritten contract between the Kumichou of the Oedo Clan and the young man known as Sawada Shin.

"Kumichou," the voice whispered respectfully, "You have my word. On my life, on my blood, and my honor." Shin bent his head further to the floor.

"She can't know anything about this. You know that means that you won't be able to see her for five years. No phone calls—no contact." Kuroda Ryuichiro spoke back calmly, pulling himself up from his position on the floor. "You know you will have to lie. Can you handle lying to the woman you love—deceiving her?" He punctuated this question slowly, letting it slowly rest upon the shoulders of the young man kneeling in front of him.

Shin looked up and leveled his gaze on the eyes of the older man. "To protect her…anything!" His dark eyes were bright with honesty and in them Kuroda could see a steadfast resolve; an acceptance of what was to come, and a capability that surpassed his in terms of youthful intensity. Kuroda considered him carefully. Sawada Shin was thought highly of many in his world, only through the various past dealings with the Oedo Clan. He was a rock; a pillar of strength, but so young…so inexperienced. The silence stretched as both men watched the other.

"I accept", he said at last. "You have proven yourself many times, and are already part of our family. Yet, I understand your desire; and I can see already that you are determined." Kuroda spoke conversationally and with a touch of amusement.

Shin smiled lightly at that. "Very," he quipped, and Kuroda gave a soft huffing laugh as they felt the former amount of tension ease and disappear. The older man turned and walked over to a brown book on the shelf behind him and pulled it out, flipping through the pages until he reached the middle.

"Ah. Here it is—your beginning." He held out what looked to be an old yellowed business card. Shin stood and took it with both hands, bowing slightly at the waist. Holding it reverently, he studied it. He looked up; Kuroda was watching him carefully.

"Arigatou gozaimasu," Shin thanked him. "But there's only an address…no name or phone number."

The older man smiled mysteriously. "That's right. This is the first part of your test. My old friend doesn't own a phone so you'll have to use your own ingenuity to find him. It's a start." He reached out to Shin, resting a hand on his right shoulder. "I believe in you. We all do," He sighed. "Kumiko will be home from school soon, and she will have many questions if she finds you here."

Shin slid the card into his wallet protectively, and gathered his bag. "Sir?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for everything. I probably won't get another opportunity after graduation next week. After that, I won't see any of you for a long while." Shin's eyes were liquid determination as he walked out into the rain

"Good luck," Kuroda whispered into the air as he watched Sawada Shin disappear into the darkness of the night.

4 years later…

The sound of the clanging bell broke Kumiko out of the daze she was in, as she tried to focus again on the Buddhist Priest chanting the sutra in front of her. Absentmindedly, she began to fiddle with the edge of her black kimono before noticing Kyou whispering her name at her side.

"Kumiko," he said softly in her ear. "Its time."

Her feet felt unsteady beneath her as she stood, but held out a hand when she noticed Tetsu on her right reaching out toward her. "I'm fine," she said with more assurance than she felt.

Movement filled the room as the rest of the funeral guests offered their own incense sticks to strategically placed pots. Kumiko approached the urn in front of the casket; it was the one reserved for immediate family.

She knew she could get through this as long as she didn't look at the casket placed on the alter in front of her. "Just keep your eyes down," was the thought that kept a repetition inside her head. Helplessly—almost against her will, she raised her eyes from the urn and locked onto the casket.

Her vision blurred. Feeling the eyes of others on her, from several attending Yakuza bosses, to the worrying eyes of the rest of the Oedo Clan, breaking down was not an option here. A single tear slipped out unbidden as she bowed low. Inwardly, she focused on the knees that were threatening to give any second.

"Grandfather," she began in a low murmur, "Forgive me Grandfather…for not being there; for not protecting you." She straightened, and reached forward to deposit the incense stick. "I promise I will find the truth!" She added fervently, smoothing a neutral expression on her face before turning to the kind eyes of what remained of her family; the absence of Kuroda Ryuichiro keenly felt.

Kyou held the car door open for her as she climbed into the back seat. It was so good to finally be away from the whispers and chatters that had filled the funeral hall. Strange; she had never seemed to mind it from her students—

"Ojou!" She looked out at Tetsu who was standing on the funeral hall steps.

"Yeah?"

"There's a man here that wants to talk to you," he frowned. "I'm not sure it's a good idea, he seems like a twitchy sort."

Kumiko sighed. Alone time would have to wait. But she was a model of patience—sure. She'd certainly been able to exercise it in the past with her first two classes at Shirokin and Kurogin. The memories alone were enough to lift her spirit from where it had been since she'd heard the news of her Grandfather's death.

Kyou moved to Tetsu's side and she watched as they whispered briefly to each other; their words weren't quite loud enough for her to hear them, and she leaned forward curiously. Just when she was about to hop out of the car, Kyou began to walk back down to where she sat and leaned down, placing his hand on top the open car door.

"Kyou…?" she trailed off at the worried look in his eyes. It took a lot to shake Kyou, and she'd known him since she was a child. It wasn't normal. He looked so…resigned. "Is it someone you know?" She asked tentatively.

He seemed to shake his head as if trying to divest himself of a memory. "Not someone I know personally, but he works for your Grandfather's best friend, Takeda Shuichi."

She started at that. "But—that's who Grandfather was on his way to see when he had the heart attack. He's traveled here?"

"Just his lackey." Kyou mumbled almost resentfully. "Didn't have the decency to come in person like he should have. The Kumichou and he were close for many years. They owned a legitimate tea ceremony school until it went out of business. Your grandfather…he never had the stomach to con people out of their money like some Yakuza out there. But he deserved more respect from Takeda than some lackey from the bottom rung."

She stared at him curiously. "But you think I should see what he has to say anyway." It was a statement. Kyou gave her a look, and nodded once.

It was enough for Kumiko, and she moved out of the car and headed toward the entrance feeling very grateful that the guests had left; it would leave things a little more private. Tetsu was looking down at his shoes when she reached him. "Where is he?" She asked, her voice determined. He looked up and bowed slightly at the waist.

"This way," he walked into the building, Kumiko trailing slightly behind him. They passed the room that had been used for the funeral ceremony, the smell of incense still strong.

"Where's Minoru?"

"Ah—he's gathering the money envelopes that were given to you by the rest of the guests."

"I see," she said quietly; her thoughts wandered as they walked, and the claustrophobia that started to come upon her was both foreign and unwelcome. She was starting to hate this place.

Tetsu looked over his shoulder at her, a concerned look crossing his face. "Ojou...," he began, then trailed off. He stopped walking suddenly and turned to face her. She jolted to a halt, almost running into him. "Tetsu! What the hell—"

"We understand." He spoke simply. It was an odd statement, but she could feel the impact behind it; his meaning. She hesitated a moment, studying his face. He looked tired…and older; new lines edged his eyes. Absentmindedly, she wondered if she looked as bad as he did…or worse. Suddenly, though she knew it would hit the roof later when she was alone in her room with the weight of it all, she felt lighter.

She leaned forward and hugged him. Rare and unguarded. "Thank you," she said, and leaned back giving him small smile. And though it was wane and thin, it was also genuine. She could see she had embarrassed him by the stiff way he was now holding himself, but there wasn't time now to continue this. "There will be plenty of time later", she thought ironically. Her leave of absence had kicked in yesterday.

Tetsu cleared his throat, running his finger under the collar of his shirt uncomfortably, and walked a couple yards down the hall, stopping in front of one of the doors. She had the insane urge to laugh at that, but squashed it down quickly. It was business mode now.

"In here?" she motioned to the closed room.

"Yes. And Ojou? Be cautious, I don't have a good feeling about this guy. Kyou trusts him enough with your safety—not that you're not capable," he added quickly after she glared at him, "And it's good enough for me; but just be…careful.

Kumiko softened imperceptibly. "Got it." She said, and opened the door.