Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis. This is purely fan made.

Author's Note: Characters may be out of character. This fan fiction has nothing to do with the anime/manga and never will be related to it at all. It has a different plot line and has nothing to do with tennis. It may contain boy x boy and will have graphic violence later in the story. Rated M for smut, language, drugs, and violence.

Ready-Fight! : Identity

Two weeks had pass since the incident in the bathroom. Ryoma was giving Fuji the silent treatment. He didn't even need to say a word to make Fuji tend to his needs like a slave, though he suspected that the older man was enjoying it. Finally, after Fuji pleaded with a smile for Ryoma to speak to him, he reluctantly spoke, but the first word that left his mouth wasn't exactly polite.

"Pervert," said Ryoma as he walked out the front door and slammed the door shut.

He could hear Fuji laughing from inside the house and grumbled under his breath. He was embarrassed that his body had reacted the way it did. He even told Fuji not to stop in the process. It was a wound against his pride, but he wasn't going to show it. He walked back to Atobe's house where he was met with the annoying brunette from before. He cursed mentally and glared at Atobe who was sitting quietly on his red couch. Ryoma ignored her curious glances and walked over to Atobe. He stood before the man and arched a brow.

"So, anything new with the club?" he asked, "It's boring to sit around and do nothing."

"And here I thought you were enjoying your time with Fuji," said Atobe with a hint of teasing, "I was being cautious. Cops are still investigating the area. I might change the meeting the place…"

"About that…have you spotted any one investigating around here?"

"I had a couple…but it's fine."

"What's with the girl?"

"Nothing…just wanted some of the new drugs. Don't worry about it and go back to Fuji. I don't want him getting suspicious of anything."

Ryoma nodded his head and turned around. The brunette girl was fidgeting in her seat and biting her fingernails. She no longer looked like the bright girl who tried to seduce him, but failed miserably after he kissed Atobe in front of her. Her once peachy skin was now a pale ivory with dark bags under her eyes. He wondered briefly if her blond friend was going through the same or if she had already given herself up to the streets. That was what usually happened to drug addicts. Ryoma knew that eventually he'll be seeing her on the streets soon too. He sighed at the sight, wondering how he looked when he was craving for drugs.

"You're like a spider," said Ryoma while his back was still turned towards Atobe.

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Because anyone who comes into your house is walking into a web…they'll be trapped by the sweet taste of the drugs and they'll never get free. They're sucked dried of their blood, organs, anything edible on their body and once it's all gone, you'll toss them away…like a prey who just finished his meal."

Even without looking, he could tell Atobe was smiling. It was burning into his back and right through him. Ryoma didn't want to turn around and look into that smiling face. He wanted to think that he was different from all the others who were brought here.

"Are you afraid that you're one too?" asked Atobe smugly.

"…Yes, I am," answered Ryoma honestly.

He took a breath and turned around to face Atobe. A shaky sigh left his lips as he stared into Atobe's smirking expression. It just reminded him of how much he hated the man.

"Don't worry…you're my special prey. I've wrapped you up and saving you for last. I don't want to eat you yet…but then again, I don't ever want to eat you, so you don't have to worry," said Atobe as he swooshed the wine in his glass.

"I hope so…but if you do, don't expect me to just lay there and say 'please eat me.' I'll be sure to give you a hard time," retorted Ryoma as he turned again and resumed walking out, "And once I'm free…I'll kill you."

Atobe chuckled, "My, my, aren't you a feisty one? Well, I guess that's part of the reason why I took you in. And to think two weeks ago you were here acting like the same child who first arrived here."

Ryoma scowled and frowned, "That time you weren't being yourself either. I was in a weak stage. I won't be coming back here to raise your fucking ego."

Ryoma left the house, fuming in anger with Atobe's laughter echoing from behind him. He cursed mentally as he roamed the streets. After going through that, he just remembered how much he hated that man. He made his way to the warehouse where most of the fight club members usually hung out, but when he entered the building, he found it half empty. Then he remembered what had happen to Sengoku. Sengoku probably wasn't the best guy out there, but Ryoma did like him better than most of the other members. He was more rational and he seemed to have a bit of humanity inside of him. That was especially proven when he chose to betray Atobe to escape from the fight club. Sighing, he turned back around and wandered the streets again.

While he roamed the streets, he remembered doing the same thing when he first left Atobe's house. It was after he found out what Atobe was planning for him. He was pissed that Atobe had used him, so he ran away. However, Atobe always seemed to know where he was, so running from him was useless. At that time, he believed that Atobe had some kind of all seeing power, but then he realized that Atobe had a tracker implanted into his cell phone. He frowned at the thought of remembering his naïveté. He honestly thought he was free from the house, but whenever he ended up meeting someone and being helped, he found out that the person helping him was connected to Atobe in some way. Anything he did was connected in some way to Atobe and before long he came to accept the fact that Atobe wasn't ever going to leave him alone. Atobe had been taking care of him from the shadows whether he wanted it or not, but he never knew if it was because Atobe wanted to use him for the fight club or if he really cared. Even now Ryoma didn't understand his actions. In a way, he was still a house cat that was just being allowed to roam in the streets.

Ryoma stopped in his tracks and turned to look at a glass window displaying some tennis rackets. His father was once a great tennis player and he learned to play from him, but ever sine his death, Ryoma had stopped playing tennis. He didn't even know if he could still play. Sighing, he started walking again. He passed by a few sports store and checked inside, but he didn't buy anything. He began to wonder what his life would have been like if his parents never died or if his cousin who took him in never disappeared. He stopped again and stared at the floor, shaking off the feeling of sorrow. It wasn't like him to remember the past. Suddenly, he heard whacking sound, bringing him out of his thoughts. He looked up slowly and noticed a tennis court not too far away from where he was standing. He leisurely strolled over to the court and was surprised by what he saw. Momo was playing tennis and he was smiling. Ryoma was glad that fight club wasn't affecting his normal life. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard Momo calling out to him.

"Echizen!" yelled Momo as he ran over to the fence.

Ryoma turned around to face him and stared blankly at him, "Hey."

"I heard what happened. It looks like you're okay now?"

"Yeah…took some time to recover, but I'm perfectly fine now. I'm ready to join fight club any time."

"That fast huh? Was Atobe postponing the fight club because you were injured?"

"I doubt it. There were some cops lingering around…"

"Because of the thing that came out on the news two weeks ago? Fifteen guys were a lot of people to kill…I'm surprise Atobe was able to pull it off."

"He can pull off anything and not get caught. So, you play tennis?"

"Yup, I'm on the tennis team. Don't you go to school?"

"No…Atobe hires a tutor for me from time to time, but since I've left his house, I don't get tutored much anymore."

"Huh? I wish I didn't have to go to school. I hate all those tests. Anyways, do you know how to play tennis? If not, I can teach you!"

Ryoma blinked and stared at the racket. He felt his hand twitch slightly at the sight of it, but he pushed the urge to play away. He shook his head and told Momo he would next time. Ryoma turned away after they said their good-byes and began walking back the way he came from. He could hear Momo talking with his tennis members excitedly and suddenly he felt a pang in the pit of his stomach. He stopped in his tracks and turned to watch Momo as he went back to playing tennis with his tennis team. He knew that feeling that was bubbling inside the bottom of his stomach. It was guilt; guilt over dragging Momo in the chaotic life of the underworld. Momo didn't belong in it. He wasn't stained by the lust for blood, the sudden rush of adrenaline every time he fought someone, or the craving to go wild. He wasn't meant for fight club and yet he had introduced such a world to him. Ryoma shifted slightly on his feet, his face revealing nothing. The guilt tugged at him, but he pushed it away too. He didn't need such emotions like love, guilt, compassion, or empathy. All he needed was hate…hate for the world for taking away his parents, for making his cousin disappear, for letting him be taken in by Atobe, for making him become some kind of monster used for fighting, and for making him addicted to the adrenaline, the drug, the sex, and the money. Sighing, Ryoma turned again, brushing away all his thoughts and emptying his mind. He wasn't going to ponder on such useless thoughts anymore.

He was nearly nightfall when he came back to Fuji's house. As he entered the house, he received a text from Atobe. The new meeting place for fight club was decided. It was near the harbor, a few miles away from the city. After deleting the message, he slipped the phone into the pockets of his blue jacket. The house was empty which meant Fuji was called in to work. He wondered briefly where Fuji worked since he never spoke about it. Curious by his sudden thought, he began to venture around the house again. Yet, as much as he searched, high and low, there was nothing that indicated some kind of hint where Fuji worked. He stood in the middle of the living and arched a brow. His house was really clean and it seemed Fuji made sure that nothing could be found out about where he worked. There was no work number, not even a message from his co-workers and neither were there any clothes that gave any hint. He didn't see a lot of suits, so that meant Fuji wasn't a salary man. There wasn't any type of uniform or extra uniforms that were lying around the house too, so Ryoma couldn't figure it out. He tapped his foot against the floor board as his eyes scanned the room. His gaze fell upon Fuji's office room where he tended to work. Ryoma never got a chance to see inside because Fuji often kept it lock, even when he was working in there. Lock picking wasn't his forte, but it would be worth a shot if he at least got a clue about Fuji's employment. He searched for a paper clip and found one lying on the counter of the kitchen. He walked to the office door and slowly knelt down on his knees. Just as he was about to insert the paper clip, he heard the front door open. Ryoma dropped the paper clip by surprise and quickly stood up in time to see Fuji appear in the living room. He could see Fuji from the hallway as he peered from behind the wall. Fuji was carrying a grocery bag, which meant he just came back from the store. Ryoma inched slightly to get a better view, but his cell phone started to vibrate, startling him. He reached for his phone, only to trip over the wrinkled rug and land on the floor with a loud thud.

"Echizen?" called out Fuji as Ryoma sat up, "You're back early…"

"So are you…I actually have to get going again," said Ryoma was he got up and winced slightly at the pain from his arm.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine…it doesn't hurt much."

"Okay…when will you be back?"

"Don't know…couple of hours?"

Ryoma glanced up and saw a bit of uneasiness in Fuji's expression, but it quickly disappeared. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but his phone began to vibrate again. Cursing mentally to himself, he took out his iPhone and slid the gray bar to enter his pass code. It opened to his home screen where a blue box with white texts blinked up. It was from Atobe telling him to meet at the harbor where their new fight club was located. He quickly clicked the power button and the screen turned black.

"I have to get going now," said Ryoma.

"Atobe?" asked Fuji with an arch of the brow.

"No…I promised someone I was going to meet with him tonight. I'm a little late and he's just being impatient."

"Him?"

"…yes, him…why?"

"…you're not selling yourself are you?"

"Are you suspecting me of prostitution?"

"No, but I am a little worried."

"No need to…what I do with my body is my own business…"

Ryoma walked pass Fuji, ignoring the man as he made it to the door. He heard Fuji's footstep behind him and turned to tell him off, but as soon as he faced Fuji, warm lips pressed against his. Ryoma's eyes widen in shock at the sudden kiss, but he didn't reject it either. He stood still for a moment before succumbing to the kiss. His eyes closed slowly as he wrapped his arms around Fuji's neck, pushing them closer until their bodies pressed tightly against one another. The gentle kiss turned rough and fervent as though it was like a need for the human body. Hands slid down his back and he felt himself being lifted from the ground. A sharp pain course from his back as Fuji pushed him against the wall forcefully. Ryoma grunted into the kiss and lifted his legs, wrapping them around Fuji's waist so he wouldn't slide down. He could feel the older man's hands push against his butt, propping him up as he massaged his ass. Ryoma hissed in eagerness, his hands running through Fuji's hair. Nimble fingers prodded his anal entrance through his jeans, causing Ryoma to moan into the kiss. Suddenly, Fuji was thrusting and rotating his hips. Ryoma broke from the kiss and gave a throaty moan.

"Never forget this," muttered Fuji into the crook of his neck, "the feel of me as I thrust into you…imagine it Echizen…as I thrust deeper into you. My heat and all of me…remember it as you give yourself to another."

Ryoma groaned as his erection rubbed against the cloth of his jeans. He wanted more…he wanted the real heat of Fuji's skin. He wanted the other man deep inside him, but before he could make such a request, he ejaculated. His voice murmured in pleasure as he arched his back, crying out in bliss. His hands slipped from Fuji's neck and his legs released its hold as his body turned into some kind of jelly. He could hear Fuji's ragged breathing from besides his ear. His hot breath tickled Ryoma's ear and he shivered. Ryoma reached between the two of them with his shaking hands and pushed Fuji away. His head faced to the floor, hiding a flush on his face.

"Always thinking with your cock," muttered Ryoma.

"I'm sorry if that's the impression you have of me," said Fuji with a slight tease.

Ryoma shoved Fuji and ran pass him. He opened the front door and stood in between the door frame without looking at Fuji. He shifted on his feet and then slowly glanced over his shoulder. A red blush colored his cheeks. He didn't dare to look at Fuji in the eyes.

"I…I didn't dislike it. But don't think I'll let you do whatever you want!" he said shyly as he abruptly turned his head away and ran out to the street.

He caught a taxi when he got to the main city and traveled to the harbor where Atobe was already waiting for him. When they had reached the harbor, Ryoma offered extra money to the cab to wait for him, which the driver willing accepted. He got of the cab and walked towards the warehouses. He was a few feet away when he began to see Atobe's silhouette in the darkness. He walked over to him and noticed that Atobe had a cigarette in mouth.

"Never took you as one to smoke," said Ryoma.

"I'm not, but I do every once in a while to release pent up stress," Atobe said with a shrug.

Ryoma watched as Atobe tossed the cigarette to the floor and step on it. He then nodded his head to the warehouse with the number thirteen on it. Ryoma glanced over to it and blinked twice.

"You sure this is a safe place?" asked Ryoma.

"Maybe…maybe not," answered Atobe with another shrug.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"I wonder too…guess I should have been a little more careful. Ah, well…it doesn't matter, they'll never catch me because they don't have any hard evidence."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Fuji, Echizen. I did a little investigation on him and it turns out your fuck buddy is my enemy."

"Fuji and I aren't fuck buddies and I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Must I spell everything out for you? Echizen…Fuji works for the fuzz. He's a cop who's disguising himself to get information out of you and get me locked up, but they don't have any hard evidence. I was careless for letting him get near you…"

At first the words didn't register in head, but after a few seconds, it dawned on Ryoma what Atobe had just mentioned. He took a step back in shock and slowly shook his head. He never once thought that Fuji was a cop because he never acted like one. He even associated himself with the fight club. Ryoma gave a short laugh, but then began to remember the phone calls where Fuji would go to his office room that was always locked and the way he would act after the phone calls. Ryoma clenched his hands into a fist and quickly turned around to run back to the cab. He stopped and turned his head slightly to the side.

"What about fight club? What's going to happen to it?" asked Ryoma in a low voice.

"It'll be fine…as long as you don't betray me and become their evidence," replied Atobe nonchalantly, "I trust that you won't betray me…ah, but you do hate fight club and you hate me, but…I am still going to trust you my dear Echizen."

The last words echoed in his head, sending shivers down his spine. He wasn't sure if he really did hate fight club. It was a part of his life now. It was the only way he knew how to live. He swallowed slowly and then resumed walking back to the cab. He could feel sweat on the palm of his hands. He was anxious to see Fuji again. He wanted to know the truth. Even though he heard it from Atobe's own mouth, a part of him didn't want to believe it. As soon as he made it back to the cab, he ordered the driver to head back to Fuji's house. The drive was long and agonizing. He wished the cab would drive faster, but in the back of his mind, he didn't want to either. He feared the truth and yet he had to pull the courage to go. His lively hood was at stake…Atobe was at stake. As much has he despised the man, Atobe was the one who took him in and cared for him even though his way of taking care of a child was a little twisted.

As soon as the cab came to a stop, he got out quickly and paid the driver. He crossed the street quickly and walked up to the porch. He could see a few figure shadows from the window and his heart sped up. He held his breath and took out the key from his pocket. He exhaled slowly as he inserted the key and twisted it. He heard a click from the other side and took another breath. Trying to steady his hand, he reached for the doorknob and turned it. The door opened and he stepped inside quietly. He didn't even bother to close the door as he walked pass the wall. He could hear voices from the living, three who were unfamiliar and one that he knew all too well. The living room came into view and the voices stopped as they saw him. Ryoma stood frozen as he stared at the badges that hung on their suits. He glanced around the room and found Fuji. He was standing near a man with glasses and he was slowly moving towards Ryoma. Ryoma took a step back and shook his head. He turned to run out the door, but before he could run out of the house, Fuji caught his arm.

"Echizen, let me explain," said Fuji urgently as he pulled Ryoma to turn and face him.

Ryoma looked at him and glared, "You…you're a cop! You fucker! Let go of me!"

"Fuji, is he the boy?" asked the man with glasses.

He had a stoic expression with a stern attitude. Ryoma assumed that he was the chief.

"Yeah…this is Echizen Ryoma. Tezuka, can you give me some time alone with him?" asked Fuji.

Ryoma glanced to the man called Tezuka and scowled, but Tezuka ignored him and nodded his head at Fuji. He turned and went back to the living room, leaving Ryoma and Fuji alone near the doorway. Ryoma hissed at Fuji and tugged his arm away.

"I'm sorry…I couldn't exactly tell you. I was working under cover…" whispered Fuji, "There were many times when I wanted to, but if I did you would have ran away."

"Yeah, I would have…and I wouldn't ever come back," said Ryoma angrily.

"But…we need you Echizen. We all know that Atobe is involved with illegal fighting and drug trafficking. Word on the street is that Atobe is starting up human trafficking. We can't let him go and…if you would be a witness for us and testify against him, you can be free from that world. You once told me that you were tired of fighting, well…this is it. You don't have to fight anymore as long as you help us."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Hear about what?"

"That Atobe is involved with illegal fighting and drug trafficking?"

"You said so…about fight club and everything."

"Must have been the slip of a tongue because I don't remember seeing Atobe involved with anything illegal…"

Ryoma stared straight into Fuji's eyes. His teeth clenched together as he reached into his pocket and touched the cold key. It felt exactly like how Ryoma felt right now. He took it out and turned his hand around so his palm was facing up. He opened his hand and held the key out to Fuji. Slowly, he tipped his hand and the key fell from the palm of his hand. He could see it fall slowly to the floor, landing onto the ground. The sound of the key hitting the floor echoed through his mind.

"You can have that back," said Ryoma coldly, "I'm not going to be a witness for an accusation that isn't even true."

He turned on his heels and walked out the front door. He could hear Fuji shuffling from behind him and then his footsteps following after him. He was near the streets when Fuji grabbed him by the arms again and turned him around once more. This time, Fuji pulled him into a tight hug.

"You're our last hope. When we finally thought we had a lead, all the men died, but we didn't have enough evidence to point it at Atobe. Please Echizen…you can escape from this life. You can have a normal life…I can give that to you," whispered Fuji softly.

Ryoma gritted his teeth together and pushed Fuji away. He glared at him and then slapped him. Tears were welling at the corner of his eyes. He didn't understand why he was feeling the way he was.

He opened his mouth and said, "I trus-"

Suddenly, his words were stuck. His sentence trailed off and he understood why he felt betrayed by Fuji. In his head he believed that he didn't trust Fuji, but his heart had already trusted him a long time ago. He closed his mouth and looked away. A single tear fell from his eye and trickled down his cheek.

"I…stop following me or I will have to kill you," muttered Ryoma.

"You would become a murderer for Atobe?" asked Fuji incredulously.

"For him…yes. He took me in when others stared at me like was trash. He gave me food, gave me clothes, and gave me a home. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him. It's my life…everything he gave me, it's my life and as much as I hate it, I love it too much to let it all go like this. And you…you used me."

"He used you too! Don't try to deny it….Atobe used you, molded you into a perfect little pet!"

Ryoma scowled and punched Fuji in the face. He staggered back, but he didn't fall down. Compared to the opponents he fought before, Fuji at least held his ground. Ryoma took another step back and straightened his back.

"I'm not his pet. If I was…I would have done more than just slap or punch you," he said in a soft voice, "I thought you would have at least understood that much, but boy, was I wrong."

"If I had met you first, things would have been different," said Fuji quietly.

"But you didn't. Admit it…you wouldn't have paid attention to me…some orphan ruffian out on the streets. You and your kind wouldn't need to bother with me especially since I wasn't involved in some big organization or gang. You only turned to me once I had connections to Atobe…well, for that one fucking year that I was out on the streets; none of you came to help me. I had to defend myself. I was only ten when I was forced onto the streets. No one knew what happened to my cousin and no one bothered to look for her. One, damn, fucking year and no one dared to turn towards me and hold out a hand for me…at least Atobe had the sense to pick me off the streets."

When Fuji didn't say anything, Ryoma continued, "Everything…it was a mistake to do those things with you. I was a fool to think that you actually cared for me."

He turned away from Fuji and this time Fuji didn't go after him. He didn't hear the footsteps of the older man following him or his voice asking for forgiveness. He was walking away from Fuji and everything that happened between them. The memories of living with Fuji were a distant pain. His body was numb as his mind was too. He didn't want to think anymore. All he had left was fight club and that was all he needed…

Author's Note: Before I knew it, Ryoma has become a tsundere. O.o And so…the end of Ready—FIGHT! is coming near the end. Okay, not really. I still have a few more chapters to go...but things will probably wrap up pretty quickly.