Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and any of the characters. All of the characters belong to Takeshi Konomi Sensei except for the OC.
Pairings: Tezuka X Echizen, Sanada X Yukimura, Yanagi X Inui, Kawamura X Sakuno, Oishi X Eiji
Warning: Mildly AU, Gender Switch, MPREG, OOCness for Ryoma
A/N: At long last! I'm done with this long chapter! Yippie! Oh yea, just to let you all know, I'm planning to extend my update week to three weeks just in case. =P
Review Reply:
tezuKunimitsu…I love the part where Tezuka tried to dress Shun! Kyaa~ the little cutie could be a little devil too :D
buchouslvr…(give you a brownie) you guessed right.
FallenAngel Sayu…(build fortress) You are so going to kill me in this chapter. xD
shadowhawk…I don't mind but just make sure that he will still be alive in the end.
12nothing…Everybody is hating him. I pity him…xD
tUrNtOfAcEtHiSwAy…how's the spoilers I gave you? I've put it up. Now is your turn :P
To those that I didn't mention, thank you a lot as your reviews really motivates me to write and this is the result of it.
To the story then…
Chapter 9
"Tadaima", replied Kunikazu. The man (Minoru) and the woman (Aki) made way for Kunikazu as Kunikazu stepped through the gate. Tezuka went to Ryoma's side and both of them entered together followed by the Echizen couple then Tezuka's parents.
The moment they entered the gate, they could see that the Tezuka main house was really big. The compound alone could house hundred of people. There were trees on the left and right side. Ryoma could spot a few types of garden in such a big compound.
As they walked in further, they could see tens of Sakura trees mixed with plum trees on the right. While on left was where the traditional Japanese garden located. They have a miniature Tsukiyama garden (hill garden), Karesansui Garden (dry garden) and Chaniwa garden (tea garden).
When they reached the house, Minoru and Aki slide open the fusuma (sliding paper door). Standing in front of them were a pair twins. Kunikazu took off his zori (Japanese sandal worn together with kimono or yukata) and entered the house. Tezuka and the rest followed suit while Rinko helped to take off Shun's zori.
The moment Kunikazu entered the house; he was given a brotherly hug by the twins. At the way they interact, it could be deduced that their brotherly relationship are rather close. Both of them have the same facial features as Kunikazu. The same shape of face and also their eyes. The differences between them brothers were their lips and also their nose.
After they had separated, the twin looked at Tezuka then at his parents which were standing beside him. The three of them bowed at them before they heard one of the twins' exclamations. "Haru, Ayana and Mitsu!" Before they knew it, each one of them was given a hug. When the man reached Tezuka, Ryoma let go of Tezuka's hand before stepping away. Ryoma almost laugh out loud when he saw Tezuka's expression behind his mask.
Tezuka was stiff as a board when his great-uncle hugged him. Behind his mask, Ryoma could read that Tezuka didn't expect being hug by his great-uncle as it displayed shock. The next thing he knew, he was once again given a hug by his another great-uncle. The Echizens and Tezuka's parents' lips curved up when they saw how he acted.
After the second great-uncle had released Tezuka, both of them gave the Echizens their attention. "Konnichiwa", greeted the first twin with a smile. "My name is Tezuka Kuniyori. Yoroshiku".
"The second twin walked up and introduced himself. "Tezuka Kuniyosu, Yoroshiku. We are the heads of the Tezuka".
"Yoroshiku", greeted Rinko as she bowed followed by Ryoma and also his husband. "My name is Echizen Rinko and this is my husband, Echizen Nanjiroh. As for this little kid, his name is Shun Takeshi".
"I am Echizen Ryoma. Yoroshiku", greeted Ryoma as Tezuka walked to Ryoma's side and hold his hand. Kuniyori's and Kuniyosu's eyes widen slightly before going back to normal when they saw Tezuka's gaze soften slightly when he made an eye-contact with Ryoma.
"Please make yourself at home", said Kuniyosu before he sat down on the long kotatsu present in the room. After they had settled down, teas were served.
Kuniyosu looked at the Ryoma and asked, "May I know what is the relationship between you and Mitsu as this was the first time I saw him smile since he was small thanks to the way our otouto brought him up".
"True true. Mitsu used to laugh a lot when he was small but after they leave the main house, the next thing I know, our Kazu brought up a wooden block", added Kuniyori.
"Yosu! Yori!" exclaimed Kunikazu.
"I a-", said Ryoma but he was cut off by Tezuka.
"I'll explain Ryoma", said Tezuka before he looked at the twins. "Ryoma is my spouse and we met each other when we were schooling in Seigaku. We were officially married when last year".
"You are really amazing, Ryo-chan since you could change back a wooden block to human back", said Kuniyori with a smile.
"Furthermore, you are really pretty. No wonder Mitsu could fall in love with you", said Kuniyosu dreamily.
Meanwhile, the Echizens were really shocked by the difference in characteristic between Kunikazu and the twins. The twins could joke and tease people where as Kunikazu was so stiff and strict that it was so hard to breathe when a person was with him.
"How do you meet? How do you meet?" asked Kuniyosu excitedly and this reminded them of a certain redheaded man.
"We first met each other when Ryoma transferred to Seigaku and he signed into the boys' tennis club", explained Tezuka.
"Err…boys?"
"Aa. Ryoma is a guy, Yosu-jii-sama", said Kuniharu. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu's eyes went wide when they just realised that they had mistaken Ryoma as a girl all the time since he was so pretty.
"I-I see. Gomenasai", apologised the twin.
"It's okay", said Ryoma.
"Don't worry, Kuniyosu-san, Kuniyori-san", Rinko said with a smile. "He was mistaken quite a lot of time since he was small as he is not fully male".
"Kaa-san!" hissed Ryoma softly.
"Huh?"
"Our Seishounen was born with two sex", explained Nanjiroh. "People like him are usually called hermaphrodite".
"Souka", said Kuniyosu slowly as he takes his time to digest the information.
"So, does that mean that you have the female and male genital?" asked Kuniyori.
"Hai", said Ryoma. The room went silent for a while as the twins think about it.
"Ojii-sama taichi, if both of you were wondering about the Tezuka line, then you don't have to worry as currently, Ryoma-kun is pregnant", said Ayana.
"EHHHH!!!!" exclaimed both of them loudly. The Echizens together with Tezuka and his parents leaned back thanks to the loudness of their exclamation.
"Gomenasai! We were just shocked since we assumed that Ryoma-kun was predominantly male seeing his body shape", explained Kuniyori as Nanjiroh snickered. The rest of the smile at the comment as Tezuka looked at his great-uncles with a puzzled expression. "Both of us used to do research on this before when we were in college".
"Sou-souka", said Tezuka, as he was shocked that his great-uncles could read past his mask.
"I wonder if the child in his stomach was really my Kunimitsu's since his parents brought him up so leniently", muttered Kunikazu softly but loud enough for everyone to hear. Nanjiroh's face turned red in anger as he tried to hold back his urge to grab the old man and punched him. Ryoma squeezed Tezuka's hand lightly when he felt his husband shook in anger.
"Kazu! Don't say like that", chided Kuniyori.
"Hmph!"
"Gomen", apologised Kuniyori.
"It's okay", said Rinko.
"So I supposed that Ryoma-kun was categorized as true hermaphrodite?" asked Kuniyosu. Ryoma nodded and Tezuka realised that Ryoma seemed to be rather uncomfortable. Tezuka understood, as Ryoma don't really like people talking about his gender.
"So you really are pregnant?"
"Aa".
"How many months?"
"Going to four", said Tezuka. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu smiled at the information. Even though Tezuka had married a man but there will be a continuation in the Tezuka line and that's more than enough.
"Umm…may I ask about something?" asked Kuniyosu suddenly at Ryoma.
"What is it?" said Ryoma.
"Since you are a male, why are you wearing a women's kimono instead of men's kimono?" Everyone glanced at Kunikazu as they didn't dare to say anything.
"Kazu made you wear it?" asked Kuniyori.
"…" Kuniyori sighed at his little brother's attitude. Inwardly, Kuniyori knew that his brother tried to humiliate Ryoma and make him leave Kunimitsu. But instead, it has the opposite effect considering Ryoma's condition.
Meanwhile, Kunikazu's facial expression was of an angry one when he realised that the twins does not seemed to be on his side but on the Echizens' side.
"Otou-san!" called out Shun suddenly as he hides his face in Rinko's chest. Shun sensed the hatred and anger Kunikazu was emitting and that really scare him.
Ryoma took over his mother as he carried Shun and let him settled on his lap. After the boy had settled on Ryoma's lap comfortably, he hides his face on Ryoma's chest.
"What is it Shun?" asked Ryoma as he run through the little boy's hair. Shun just answered Ryoma's question by shaking his head. Tezuka was looking at Shun too and he knew slightly what was causing the little boy to be extremely afraid as he too, saw his grandfather's expression before he put back his expressionless mask.
"Who is this little cute boy?" asked Kuniyosu.
"He is my sempai's son", explained Tezuka. Tezuka saw Kuniyosu's questioning expression before he continued, "They were the victims of the crash two days ago and right know we are his godparents".
"Souka…"
"Shun, looked up", said Ryoma softly. After a while, the little boy looked at Ryoma then he peeked at the twins. The twins looked at him with a soft expression and this managed to make Shun to look at them properly without hiding his face.
"Come here", said Kuniyori.
Shun looked at Ryoma with his big eyes. "Go", said Ryoma as he smiled slightly. Shun immediately stood up and walked to his great-great uncles. When he reached then, Shun gave them a hug before giving them a peck on the cheek. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu smiled at the greetings. Kuniyori shifted a bit to his left and let the boy settled in between him and his twin brother.
"What's your name?" asked Kuniyori.
"Shun!"
"How old are you then?" asked Kuniyosu.
"San! (means 'three' in Japanese)" Shun said as he showed three fingers to Kuniyosu.
"He's cute", said Kuniyori to the Echizens and also the Tezukas (minus Kunikazu who was left alone)
"Aa", said Tezuka as his mouth twitch upward slightly. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu continued to play with Shun when they heard the doorbell rang. A few minutes after the doorbell rang; a knock was heard on the fusuma.
"Come in", said Kuniyori. The fusuma opened and admitted Aki. "Kuniyori-san, a guest has come".
"Who is it?" asked Kuniyosu. Before Aki managed to answer Kuniyosu's question, Kunikazu spoke up first.
"Ahhh! It must be her. Bring her in, Aki".
"Hai, Kunikazu-san", Aki said as she exited the room.
"Who is it Kunikazu?" asked Kuniyori.
"You'll see, Yori-nii-sama", said Kunikazu. Silence reined the room as they wait for the guest. Before long, a knock was heard on the fusuma again. The fusuma opened and it revealed Aki with a very beautiful woman with silky black hair and her smile was rather dazzling. Her eyes were black in colour and her face was smooth without even a scar on her face.
At seeing her, Kunikazu immediately went on his feet and walked towards her. "Makito! I'm glad that you could make it today", said Kunikazu when he was already at her side.
"I'm honoured that you has invited me, Kunikazu-sama", said Makito. Her voice was really melodious and Ryoma saw his father drooling at the sight at her. Ryoma saw his mother's hand pinched his father's palm causing his father to wince.
'Makito? Why was her name sounded so familiar?' thought all the Tezukas except for Kunikazu.
'It couldn't be her right?' thought Kuniharu as he remembered his disinherited aunt's granddaughter that had the same name as her. 'As long as I remember, Kuniakio-baa-sama was disinherited because she married a man who was once the Tezuka's company important person. After the economy crisis, that man backstabbed Kuniyori-jii-sama and Kuniyosu-jii-sama and caused the company on verge of bankruptcy. From what I heard, he was part of a loan shark family'.
"Kuniyori-sama, Kuniyosu-sama", said Makito as she bowed to each of them when she addressed them. After she has done that, he turned to Kuniharu and Ayana. "Kuniharu-jii-sama, Ayana-baa-sama and Kunimitsu-kun, long time no see". Tezuka nodded at her stiffly when he realised that she was her cousin.
"Kunikazu, what is happening?" asked Kuniyori as he glared at Makito.
"I invited her as she is the most suitable candidate for Kunimitsu instead of him", said Kunikazu as he looked at Ryoma in disgust.
"Kunikazu, you…," said Kuniyosu.
"You know who she is, don't you, Kunikazu?" asked Kuniyori as his hands shook in anger.
"Aa".
"If you knew who she is, then you surely knew who her grandmother is", said Kuniyosu with dislike in his voice.
"Aa".
"Then, why is she here?" Kuniyori said as he placed a hand on Kuniyosu's shoulder to calm him down.
"I knew she is her granddaughter. But she saved me when I was away for holidays. If not for her, I'll be dead by now. I've told both of you before about some woman saving me from the drunk driver. She was the one and right now, I would like her to take the tests to be the most suitable candidate as Kunimitsu's wife". Seeing his brothers' expression, Kunikazu added, "I'm only asking both of you to Makito and not her".
Tezuka was immediately on his feet. Ryoma stood up too to restrain Tezuka from killing his grandfather, as he knew that Tezuka was really angry right now. "Ojii-sama, I already have Ryoma and I will not marry another one", seethed Tezuka.
"Echizen-kun will never be your legal wife as long as he didn't pass the tests given by the heads of Tezuka family", said Kunikazu happily. Tezuka looked at his parents and saw his parents nodded their head reluctantly.
"It's true Kunimitsu. When Kuniharu wanted to marry me, I have to go through tests drawn out by Kuniyori-jii-sama and Kuniyosu-jii-sama before I'm officially accepted into the Tezuka family", said Ayana.
"That's why, when we heard that Mitsu was married, we had to force Kunikazu to bring you all here", said Kuniyori sadly.
"We didn't expect him to…," said Kuniyosu as he bowed his head before saying, "Gomenasai".
"It's okay Kuniyosu-san, Kuniyori-san", said Rinko.
"Shall we start the test?" asked Kunikazu with a happy expression. The twins got no choice but to start the tests.
"Okay".
"The first test we will be testing both of you would be on cooking since it's almost lunch time", said Kuniyori before every one of them heard a growl.
They looked at each other and saw the smile on Shun's face. "Haha! Looks like this little angel is hungry", said Kuniyori as he tickled the little boy.
The little boy giggled and chuckled. "St-sto-stop…ahahaha…"
"Why don't I bring both of you to the kitchen?" said Kuniyosu as he looked at both of them before standing up.
Ryoma nodded his head as he too stood up and followed Kuniyosu out of the living room to the kitchen. Kuniyori stopped his action and gave Shun a chanced to gain back his breath. Meanwhile, Kunikazu had disappeared and Kuniyosu had some idea on where he has headed.
'Most probably he went to the prayer room', thought Kuniyori and Kuniyosu together. The rest of the occupants didn't realise that Kunikazu was missing as the continued to look at the interaction between Shun and Kuniyosu.
After the boy had calmed down, Shun said, "I'm hungry~" He tugged Kuniyori's sleeve as he whined continuously to his great-great uncle.
"Shun…don't act like that", chided Tezuka. Shun stared at Tezuka with big eyes and tears are hanging by the corner of his eyes. Before they knew it, Shun started crying. Tezuka looked at his parents don't know what to do.
At the same time, Kuniyosu called out, "Minoru!" Minoru came not later after Shun started crying.
"What is it, Master Yosu?"
"Get some sweets", said Kuniyosu as he started to coaxed Shun so that he could stop crying. Kuniyosu rubbed the little boy's back as the boy hide his face using Kuniyosu's kimono sleeves. Minoru quickly walked out of the room and came back with a plate of sweets.
Kuniyosu took a sweet from the plate and opened the wrapper. All the while, Tezuka saw that Shun was peeking slightly. "Here Shun", said Kuniyosu as he brought sweet near Shun.
Shun unhidden his face and quickly ate the sweet. The Tezukas and Echizens realised that Shun's eyes were dry and there were no tears at all. Apparently, Shun had his way by pretending to cry.
"Brat!" said Nanjiroh. Rinko, Ayana, Kuniharu and Kuniyosu just smiled. As for Tezuka, he was somewhat angry at the little devil. Yesterday was enough. Today too, the little boy played him.
"Ehehe~" laughed Shun as he sucked on the sweet happily.
--
In the kitchen
"Ryoma-kun will be preparing my meal while Makito-chan will be preparing mine. As for the others, it will be prepared by Aki and Minoru. You both will be preparing the same thing as what the dishes will be Aki, will let you know. That's all", instructed Kuniyori.
Ryoma and Makito bowed before Kunyori exited the kitchen. Ryoma looked at the woman beside him and realised she was really beautiful and elegant but she gave a dangerous vibe if she was treated badly.
Besides that, he could feel that she was up to no good. You could call it his tennis instinct or whatsoever but he knew that something was up between her and Kunikazu but he had no idea what was it.
Makito looked at him and said politely, "I think I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Makito Oeda. Yoroshiku onegaishimase". The woman bowed slightly before looking up and gazed Ryoma intently.
Ryoma almost shivered under her staring but he replied politely, "Ryo-" Ryoma was about to uttered his female name but was cut off by Makito.
"Ryoma Echizen right?" asked Makito.
"How do you know?"
"You looked like him", replied Makito simply.
"I-I see. Could you please keep this a secret? I don't want to trouble Kunimitsu and the Tezukas".
"Okay", said Makito as she winked at him. 'What a naïve person for protecting them. He doesn't even know that his husband's grandfather was plotting something against him. Your grandfather-in-law had already sold you out'.
"Domo", said Ryoma. Ryoma really had a bad feeling on how Makito was smiling and winking at him. It really gives him chills and Echizen Ryoma doesn't get chills.
"Dou itashimashite (welcome)", said Makito. "Shall we?"
"Huh?"
"Cook", said Makito as she chuckled slightly. Ryoma nodded before getting to work together with Makito.
--
In the living room
Kuniyori walked into the living room and the first expression he saw was Tezuka. After that he saw his brother's expression and then the rest. He saw the mirth in his brother's eyes and it was such a long time since he saw it. "What happened?"
Kuniyosu chuckled slightly as he explained to Kuniyori about how Shun messed the room yesterday and also about what had happened just now. At the end of the story, Kuniyori was laughing out as he ruffled Shun's hair.
"No wonder Mitsu was wearing such an expression. I'm surprised that Ryoma-kun could handle this little devil who looked like an angel", said Kuniyori as he looked down on Shun who was wearing a proud expression.
"I'm surprised too", said Kuniyosu. "Mitsu, tell us how Ryoma-kun managed to control this little boy?"
"He just stared", said Tezuka monotonously.
"Huh?" Everyone stared at Tezuka as if he had sprouted horns.
"He said he learnt it from Okaa-san", added Tezuka.
"Rinko? What do yo- You mean that brat learnt that stare!?" exclaimed Nanjiroh looking extremely afraid at his wife.
"What?" Rinko said as she stared at Nanjiroh.
"No-nothing", said Nanjiroh as he inched away slightly. Tezuka and his parents now knew how Rinko managed to control his husband besides pulling his ear. Her stare was really…
The stare wasn't scary. It's just that you could feel yourselves submitting to the stare without any fight immediately. The moment you ignore that stare, surely punishment worse than hell awaits your fate.
"Sc-scary", mumbled Kuniyosu.
"Aa. I pity Ryoma-kun…" agreed Kuniyosu softly so that only his twin brother could hear. Even the head of Tezukas were mildly afraid of the woman in the Echizen household.
The Tezukas and Echizens chatted for almost half-an-hour before lunchtime was announced. The twins stood up as Kuniyori carried Shun. Kuniyosu leaded all of them to the dining room which was situated on the left hand side of the living room.
All of them settled down as the food was served before Ryoma and Makito walked in. Tezuka immediately stood up and walked towards Ryoma. Shun also stood up and followed after Tezuka. Ryoma gave Tezuka a smile and seeing Shun; he squatted down and carried the boy to his face.
Everyone smiled at what they saw this except for Kunikazu. Ryoma settled down beside his mother. Shun was seated beside him as for Tezuka, he was seated in between Shun and his mother.
Every one of them picked up their chopsticks and clamped them with their thumb and second finger before calling out, "Itadakimasu". Ryoma cut Shun's food into pieces while Tezuka picked the cut up dishes and placed on Shun's rice bowl.
The little boy ate his food happily and willingly. Looks like he was really hungry as the boy didn't play much with his food like yesterday's dinner. Inwardly, Tezuka was really happy that the same thing doesn't replay again.
"Do you realised about it?" asked Kuniyosu softly at his brother, Kuniyori.
"Aa. It's unexpected though", said Kuniyori as he gaze at Ryoma then at Tezuka before his gaze fell on the little boy in between them.
Tezuka looked up when he felt his great-uncles staring at them. His great-uncles must have once again read through his mask when Kuniyori said, "Didn't you realised about it?"
"Realised bout what, great-uncle Kuniyori?" asked Tezuka, puzzled. (1)
"The hand which the three of you were holding your chopstick", said Kuniyosu.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Ryoma.
"Now that you mentioned about it, Kuniyosu-jii-sama, they really are…," said Ayana.
"Aa", said Kuniharu.
"What about it, Okaa-sama, Otou-sama?" Tezuka asked. He still had no idea what his parents and his great-uncles were talking about.
"All three of you are left-hander", said Nanjiroh matter-of-factly.
"Huh?" said Ryoma before he saw Shun holding his chopsticks with his left hand. Tezuka too and of course he too was holding his chopstick with his left hand. "Oh".
"By the way they were asking us, looked like they didn't realised about it", said Kuniyori while smiling.
"Aa", agreed Kuniyosu before he continued eating. After that, lunch was a quiet affair.
When they were talking, they didn't realise about how Kunikazu was throwing glances at Makito and from his eyes, people could see that it was up to no good.
After the tables were cleared, only then, Kuniyori and Kuniyosu started talking. Shun had long ago migrated to his great-great uncles side since they had finished eating.
'Looks like he had grown attached to them', thought Ryoma and Tezuka together when they saw how Shun was talking to them so intently.
The rest of them shifted to the living room after Aki and Minoru had cleared the table. At the living room, conversation continued with Kuniyori and Kuniyosu bombarding questions at Ryoma and Makito on random stuff and also about their lives.
There were knocks on the fusuma before revealing Aki. "Master Yori, it's ready".
"Okay", said Kuniyori as Aki exited the room. "Since both of you passed the cooking test, we will now proceed to another test. So, all of you please follow me".
All of them stood up and followed Kuniyori out of the living room to the Chaniwa garden. Before they entered the chashitsu (main teahouse), every one of them purified themselves using the water in the tsukubai (stone water basins).
After they had purified themselves, Kuniyori leaded them to the stepping-stones that will eventually lead them to the chashitsu.
"Dozo", said Kuniyosu when the reached the chashitsu. "We will start the test with chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony)". The twins and Kunikazu entered the chashitsu through the host's entrance while the rest entered through the guest's entrance.
Aki and Minoru walked towards the host mat and set down all the equipments needed for the ceremony in front of Kuniyori and Kuniyosu. Both of them sat down and started to arrange all the equipments on the tatami floor.
Minoru took the things out of the tray as Aki arranged the equipments in the correct place. The equipments that they brought were all basic equipments for the Japanese tea ceremony.
There were chakin (white linen), chawan (tea bowl), chaire (tea candies), chashaku (tea scoop) and chasen (tea whisk). After Minoru had passed all the equipment to Aki, he stood up and walked towards the mizuya (resembling a modern kitchen) before bringing in a kettle of water.
He settled to kettle on the hearth which was located in front of the host before standing up again and walked away with Aki following him from behind.
"Ryoma-kun, dozo", said Kuniyosu as Ryoma stood up and walked towards the host mat. Ryoma started the ceremony by washing the equipments with précised order and using prescribed motions.
The utensils then are placed in an exact arrangement. Next, Ryoma place a measured amount of green tea powder in the chawan before adding the appropriate amount of hot water.
After that, he used the chasen and whisked the tea using set movements. After Ryoma deemed that the whisking was enough, he took out the whisk before placing the chawan full of tea in out.
Aki then took up the bowl of tea and passed it to Kuniyori to taste first. Ryoma exchanged bows with Kuniyori. Kuniyori then exchanged bow with his twin brother before raising the chawan in a gesture of respect to Ryoma.
Kuniyori rotated the chawan to avoid drinking from its front. He took a sip before murmuring the prescribed phrase. He took a two the three more sips before wiping the rim and rotating the chawan to its original position. He then passed the chawan to Kuniyosu with a bow.
Kuniyosu did the same and the process goes on until the chawan was returned to Ryoma. During all the whole tea ceremony, Tezuka was really wondering where does his spouse learnt all these when he knew that during his school days and after his school days, the things that would always occupied his mind would tennis.
He then saw Ryoma gave his mother a glanced with a smile and instantly it clicked. It must have been his mother that taught him all this when they were giving him etiquette lessons. After Ryoma, it was Makito's turn and the same process repeated again.
After the ceremony ended, they exited the chashitsu and walked out of the Chaniwa garden. Tezuka walked beside Ryoma while holding his hand to support him. Tezuka could see that Ryoma was tired. Shun was taken care by the twins which were walking right at the front followed by Tezuka's parents. Behind Tezuka and Ryoma were Ryoma's parents and lastly were Makito and Kunikazu.
Both of them were walking slowly while whispering to each other. Both of them had no idea that Nanjiroh was eavesdropping on their conversation. Nanjiroh accidentally squeezed Rinko's hand too hard when he heard of their plan after this.
Rinko knowing that his husband also heard their conversation tried to restrained him from killing the man and also the woman.
"Calmed down", hissed Rinko as he squeezed the samurai's hand.
"How can I stay calm Rinko!" hissed Nanjiroh softly so that Ryoma and Tezuka couldn't hear them. "They…they are-"
"I'm not calm Nanjiroh. But it's best that we don't say anything. We could make the situation worse", said Rinko rationally. Nanjiroh knew that Rinko was telling the truth when he could feel Rinko's hand trembling slightly.
"Then?!"
"We had to watch out for their moves from now on. We will not let their plans succeed", said Rinko with finality in her tone.
After they had once again settled down in the living room, Kuniyori said, "Both of you passed the cooking test and also the tea ceremony. Both of your cooking were delicious and from the manners both of displayed during lunch and also normal conversation was good".
"It was the first time that we couldn't spot any mistakes that could deduct your marks", said Kuniyosu.
"Both of you passed and this left us in a pinch. Therefore, we decided to let Mitsu to choose as this concerned his happiness", said Kuniyori.
Inwardly, Tezuka thanked his great-uncle. He knew what his great-uncle was implying. "And so, Mitsu which one would like to choose?" asked Kuniyosu.
"R-" said Tezuka before he was cut off by his grandfather.
"Wait! I've got something to say", said Kunikazu. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu looked at their little brother and from his eyes; they knew that Kunikazu wasn't planning to back down at all. In fact, he was up to something.
"What is it, Kazu?" asked Kuniyori a bit hesitant. He knew that the thing that was going to come out from otouto's (little brother) mouth was not going to be so nice.
"I've got a suggestion on how to decide who will be the bride for Kunimitsu", said Kunikazu.
"What is it?" asked Kuniyosu this time. The twins will have no choice but to listen to their brother as this partially concern about his grandson's happiness.
"Let both of them compete in kendo since it was a tradition in our family that must have at least some basic on the martial art", said Kunikazu. Tezuka stood up abruptly and glared at his grandfather.
"What are trying to do, Kazu?!" asked Kuniyori patiently.
You knew that Ryoma-kun is carrying a child inside him and yet…" said Kuniyosu.
"Are you trying to kill your grandson's child?" asked Kuniyori.
"I do not acknowledged that this freak is carrying my great-grandson", said Kunikazu
This was it. Tezuka can't stand it anymore. "Ojii-sama! Omae (you)…Why do you hate Ryoma so much?! He didn't do anything to you!" shouted Tezuka as he tried to control his volume to avoid scaring Shun.
At the hearing of the word 'omae', Kunikazu stood up abruptly. "Omae?! You…!" Kunikazu said, enraged at the rudeness of his grandson which doesn't even dare to defy before he met Ryoma. He glared at Ryoma and added, "It's your entire fault. If you do not exist, Kunimitsu will not become so rude and defied me!" (2)
"Otou-sama, please calm down. Kunimitsu, apologised", said Kuniharu as he stood up too.
"I would not apologise until he apologised to Ryoma for calling him a freak!" said Tezuka with his toned down voice, looking at his father.
"How dare you! He is a freak! Who in the world could get pregnant when the person is all the while a he?! Nobody!"
Kuniyori and Kuniyosu were about to said something when Nanjiroh stood up. "What's wrong with being different?! Why can't your mind be more open minded like the rest of your family?! Why do you have to be so narrow minded?!"
"This has nothing to do with you, you outsider!"
"Oh it has", mocked Nanjiroh. "For your info, you are talking about my son. Calling my son freak again and I swear you will not see tomorrow!" said Nanjiroh. Kunikazu was about to open his mouth to retort back when Kuniyori asked them to stop.
All the time when they were arguing, Ryoma was getting a shade paler. His left hand was resting on his abdomen. Every one of them was concentrated on the argument, as they didn't realise about it. They wanted to stop the argument but nothing came in their mind that could stop it. Shun saw his foster father getting paler.
"Ryo-otou-san!" said Shun in distress. The boy walked towards Ryoma unnoticed by the other occupants of the room and placed his hand on top of Ryoma's left hand. Ryoma looked up and saw Shun's smiling face.
"Shun…" said Ryoma softly before sucking his breathe when he felt his abdominal pain intensified.
"Ryo-otou-san! Ryo-otou-san!" the little boy called out slightly louder as the argument not including Nanjiroh. Kuniyori heard the distress call of Shun. He looked to his side and saw the boy missing. Immediately he searched the boy around and saw the little boy kneeling beside Ryoma with his right hand on top of Ryoma's.
"That's enough! All of you!" said Kuniyori shutting up Kunikazu. Kunikazu glared at his brother but Kuniyori just ignored him by giving Ryoma his attention. "Are you okay Ryoma-kun?"
Tezuka looked down and saw Ryoma nodded. Halfway through his nodding, Tezuka saw Ryoma winced slightly. In fact everyone saw it. This caused Shun to call out to Ryoma's even more. Tezuka immediately kneeled down on one knee as his left hand was place on Ryoma's shoulder.
Rinko acted immediately by carrying away Shun so that Tezuka could look at Ryoma. This caused Shun to start crying. "Shhh…" Rinko shushed Shun as she tried to calm the boy down. After a few rocking and a few comforting words, Shun was reduced to hiccups and small sobs in between.
"Carry him to my room", said Kuniyosu as he stood up. Tezuka carried Ryoma bridal style and followed after Kuniyosu. Kuniyosu rolled out his futon as Tezuka placed Ryoma down on it.
After that, Tezuka moved to remove the obi but was stopped by Ryoma's hand. "I'm okay and you don't have to remove the obi. It's not the obi's fault". Tezuka shook his head as he insisted on removing the obi. Seeing that his husband was determined, Ryoma added, "Its abdominal cramp and I've been having it since yesterday. So, it's not caused by the obi. I just need to rest for a while". (3)
"But…"
"What Ryoma-kun said is true, Mitsu. I think his cramp got worse because of all the yelling just now which caused him to stress even more", said Kuniyosu as he patted the brunette's shoulder. This caused Tezuka to feel even guiltier than anything. Ryoma almost chuckled seeing his great-uncle making his great-nephew feeling guilty for causing havoc although he was not wrong. "I'll leave both of you alone. Oh yea, Ryoma-kun, tell your husband what's in your mind fast. If not…my house is going to suffer". Ryoma nodded as a small smile graced his face.
After that, Kuniyosu turned around and walked towards the entrance. Kuniyosu winked at Ryoma before closing the fusuma leaving the two of them alone. "Talk to me about what?" asked Tezuka after he was sure that Kuniyosu was out of hearing distance.
Ryoma sat up as his left hand rested on his abdomen. Ryoma doesn't know since when that his hand will automatically land on his abdomen. Tezuka settled behind Ryoma and Ryoma leaned on him.
"Let me fight with her in kendo", said Ryoma suddenly after a short silence. Ryoma could feel Tezuka tensed up.
"No", replied Tezuka immediately.
"Why?" asked Ryoma.
"How can you ask me why?" said Tezuka as he played with Ryoma's hair which was tied in a ponytail style.
"Why?" Ryoma asked Tezuka again.
"You're pregnant", answered Tezuka matter-of-factly.
"Then do you think I'm weak?"
"…"
Silence. "Then do you not trust me who was your apprentice?"
"…"
Silent again. Ryoma smiled slightly. Almost. "Then do you not trust my ability to defeat her?"
"…"
"Then do you thin-"
"Fine. You can fight with her", said Tezuka before trailing off. Ryoma looked up and smirked at him. "But".
"What is it?" asked Ryoma.
"When you feel like you can keep up with her speed, give up", said Tezuka.
"Yadda", said Ryoma.
Tezuka sighed slightly. He knew his spouse was going to refuse the term flatly. "Ryoma…You are carrying a child inside you. Our child. I don't want either one of you to be in danger", said Tezuka.
"I'm pregnant. Not sick", said Ryoma. "And no matter what happen, this child will see the world".
'Ugh…I should have remembered that I can't win in arguing when the opponent is Ryoma. If he does not give, I'll never win', thought Tezuka. "Ok but if I see you being pushed back; I am going to intercept the match".
"Kuni- Okay. You got a 'deal'", said Ryoma. He was about to protest again but he saw the worried expression of Tezuka and that caused him to give up. Tezuka relaxed slightly as his lips twitch upward slightly. His plan was successful after all. 'Put on a worried face and surely Ryoma would agree to anything I said'.
--
Ryoma and Tezuka were sitting on their place in the living room. "So what is your decision?" asked Kuniyosu to Ryoma and Tezuka. "Makito-chan agreed to the match".
"I agreed", said Ryoma without much hesitancy. His parents and in-laws eyes went wide.
"Ryoma-kun-" said Ayana but she stopped when her son placed his hand on her shoulder. Ayana looked up and saw into Tezuka's eyes that say, 'Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll be there to help him'.
"Okay. Since both of you agreed to this match then I'll ask Minoru to prepare hakama for both of you and also to prepare the dojo", said Kuniyori before calling out to Minoru. A few minutes later, the fusuma opened to reveal the said man.
"What is it, Kuniyori-sama?" asked Minoru.
"Prepare the dojo and bring out a suitable hakama size for both of them. As for the bogu, prepare only the kote (long, thickly padded fabric gauntlets), do(wooden breastplate), and tare (vertical fabric faulds). Oh yea, the jacket and the keikogi too", said Kuniyori as he pointed to Makito and Ryoma.
"Ask Aki to prepare kōcha", said Kuniyosu.
"Hai", replied Minoru before leaving the room to carry out the instruction.
Inwardly, Kunikazu was extremely happy, as Ryoma had fallen into his trap. He made an eye contact with Makito and making sure that she would do according to their plan. Makito nodded unnoticed by the rest of the occupants except for a certain someone.
"Shall we go to the dojo?" asked Kuniyori as he clapped his hands.
"Aa", agreed Kuniharu. Kuniyori and Kuniyosu stood up and walked to the fusuma. Shun skipped towards the twins and Kuniyori picked him up.
The rest of them followed the twins to the dojo. As they walked towards the dojo located on the west side of the house, Ayana walked beside Tezuka and Ryoma as Kuniharu was talking to Kuniyosu. Meanwhile Kuniyori was walking while playing with Shun who was in his arms.
Nanjiroh and Rinko were once again walking in front of Kunikazu and Makito. Both of them heard Kunikazu and Makito's whispering. Unknown to both the whisperer, Nanjiroh and Rinko were eavesdropping on them.
"Kunimitsu…" said Ayana.
"What is it Okaa-sama?" asked Tezuka.
"Do you think its okay to let Ryoma-kun to fight? He is pregnant after all and his body will surely protest against it", said Ayana.
"It'll be fine Okaa-sama", said Tezuka.
"I trust you in protecting Ryoma-kun but the way Otou-sama was staring and glaring at Ryoma-kun was giving a very bad feeling", said Ayana as she voiced out her worry. "I'm afraid that he is plotting something that will separate both of you".
"I noticed that too, Okaa-sama and I think I'm not the only one. Otou-san and Okaa-san also have been putting up their guard even more since the tea ceremony".
"I realised that too. You father also had been rather tense since Otou-sama suggested the kendo match".
"We will have to watch out for both of them. I think the only oblivious person will be Shun", said Tezuka as he tried to lighten his mother's mood.
"Aa. True also", said Ayana as she smiled slightly. Meanwhile, Ryoma was listening to their conversation all the while since he was just walking beside Tezuka. Both of them were holding each other's hand. Ryoma could feel that Tezuka had been rather tense since they walked out of the living room heading to the dojo.
He gave Tezuka's hand a squeeze to reassure him. This seemed to work as Ryoma could feel Tezuka relaxed a bit. After a few turns here and there, the pack reached the dojo. It was quite a rather big one. On the right hand side of the dojo, there was a raised level which contained tables and also cushions along the hall so that visitors could watch the match. (4)
Both of you could change into the hakama, jacket and keikogi in that room", said Kuniyori as he pointed to the two doors located at the end of dojo.
Monoru walked towards Ryoma as Aki walked towards Makito with their hands full of the required attire. "I'll help him", said Tezuka as he took the clothes from Minoru. As for Aki, she helped Makito.
"Hai Kunimitsu-sama", said Minoru before bowing and walked away. Both of them walked towards the changing room and inside the room, Tezuka helped Ryoma to take off his obi. When the obi was untied and took out, Ryoma let out a sigh of relieved.
Tezuka chuckled slightly at his partner's antic. Ryoma then removed all his clothes leaving him naked in the room with Tezuka. Tezuka could feel his face flush slightly seeing Ryoma naked. (5)
Tezuka's desire and his conscience were fighting inside his mind. He wanted to caressed Ryoma's body but his conscience was telling him rationally not too as this was not the correct time.
"…mitsu…ha…"
"Kuni…kama…"
"Kunimitsu, the keikogi", said Ryoma slightly louder. That managed to snap Tezuka out of his reverie.
"A-aa. Here", said Tezuka as he passed the clothes to Ryoma.
"Kunimitsu, that's the hakama", said Ryoma.
"A-ah, here", said Tezuka as he took another one and passed it to Ryoma.
"Kunimitsu, that's the jacket", corrected Ryoma. Ryoma the looked at his husband's face and realised that his husband's eyes were concentrated on his bare shoulder then to his chest. Ryoma now knew why his husband was so out of it. "Stop your lewd gaze, Kunimitsu", added Ryoma before poking the brunette's forehead.
"Itai!" exclaimed Tezuka as he rubbed his forehead.
"That's for staring at with such expression", said Ryoma as he took the keikogi from Tezuka and started wearing it. Tezuka then passed the hakama to Ryoma and helped Ryoma to tie it for him.
Starting from the front, Tezuka brought the front ties were brought around the waist and crossed over the top of the knot of the obi before these ties were brought to the front. He then crossed them below the waist and then tied at the back which was under the knot of the obi.
Next, he tucked the hakama-dome behind the obi, the koshi-ate was adjusted before the rear ties are brought to the front and tied them in a knot that resembled two bow ties in cross shape. After that, Ryoma worn the jacket and tied it himself. Tezuka helped Ryoma to wear the protective gears.
When they were done, both of them walked out of the changing room. Before long, Makito came out with Aki right behind him. Tezuka went and saw beside his father as Ryoma and Makito stood in front of Kuniyori and Kuniyosu.
"This fight will determine who the winner", said Kuniyori.
Kuniyosu was about to continued his twin brother's word but was cut off by Kunikazu. "Whoever that wins this will be Kunimitsu's partner for life. The loser is not permitted to see him or to go near him in the future. If you lose, both of you are going to get divorce immediately", Kunikazu said the last sentence specifically to Ryoma.
Tezuka was about to retorted his grandfather but he quieten down when he saw Ryoma making eye contact with him.
"However, if Ryoma-kun wins, he will be accepted to the Tezuka family and Kunikazu, you are going to welcome him with open arms", said Kuniyosu.
"Hmmph! Let's see whether he could win or not", said Kunikazu.
"Kunikazu!" said Kuniyori.
"Fine. I'll welcome him with open arms", said Kunikazu reluctantly as he glanced at Makito. Tezuka saw this and caused him to put up his guard even more.
"The rules are you are forbidden to hit the head and also the legs. If you are hit more that 5 times, then you lose", said Kuniyori.
"Okay, are both of you ready?" asked Kuniyosu.
"Yes".
"Then let's start", said Kuniyori as he stood up and took the two shinai (bamboo sword) at his side. He gave one to Ryoma then the other one to Makito. Both of them get read in a ready stance, as Kuniyori became the judge.
"Start!" said Kuniyori as he moved away as Makito and Ryoma started the fight. Ryoma keep on blocking her attacks no matter where she hits. Both of them didn't budge from their places for quite a few minutes and this caused Makito to get careless as she got impatient.
Taking the chances, Ryoma started moving forward step by step and Makito got pushed back. Ryoma keep on attacking her and his shinai connected with her arms twice. Ryoma dodged one of her swings and taking the opportunity; Ryoma used his shinai and hit her on the side.
'Third hit', counted Ryoma in his mind. Using his speed, Ryoma dodged another hit to his side and seeing that Makito left herself defenceless, he caught her on the shoulder.
'Fourth hit'.
When she got hit the fourth time, Makito glared at Kunikazu. 'You damn old man. You've been giving the wrong information. You doesn't even know that he is so good at kendo', thought Makito. Kunikazu knew that Makito was pissed and this caused him to get even more restless. 'I'm a fool for listening to you'.
Ryoma wanted to finish the match as fast as possible as he could the junior inside him was protesting. He had been feeling twinges of pain now and then.
Makito realised that Ryoma seemed eager to finish of the match and then, it clicked. 'So you are trying to finish the match as fast as possible. Oh well, I'll just have to dragged the match then', thought Makito as she laughed evilly in her mind.
'Kuso! She realised about it', said Ryoma as he felt Makito started to drag the fight. Ryoma purposely went into defence and Makito had no choice but to attack. Ryoma knew that Makito was not good in attacking from the way she was fighting.
An opportunity strike as Ryoma got her on the wrist. At the same time, junior decided to protest even more. Ryoma sucked his breathe as his hands let go of the shinai and went to his abdomen.
Makito was so enraged that she had lost. In the split second that Ryoma dropped his shinai, Makito lowered her shinai and swung it from left targeting Ryoma's abdomen. She has to complete her job. If not, the deal with Kunikazu is off.
Tezuka saw Ryoma dropping his shinai as Makito lowered her's. He stood up and quickly ran towards Ryoma. Tezuka got in between Ryoma and hugged him. Makito shinai connected with Tezuka's side as he felt an excruciating pain.
Makito had used her full strength on hitting the last hit and that caused Ryoma and Tezuka to be thrown towards the wall. In the split second before hitting the wall, Tezuka managed to turn around so that he could act as a cushion for Ryoma.
Tezuka's back knocked on the table Kuniyori and Kuniyosu occupied before he landed leaning on the wall on the sitting position. He had his wind knocked out temporarily when his back connected with the wall.
Kuniyori managed to turned around and shield Shun from the shattered teacup when Tezuka knocked on the table. Kunikazu and Ayana were immediately on their feet to check on Tezuka and Ryoma. Rinko too joined them but Nanjiroh stood up and walked towards Kunikazu. He grabbed a handful of Kunikazu's kimono's front and punched his on his cheek before goes to his son.
"Kunimitsu!" called out Ayana as he shook the brunette. Tezuka opened his eyes and saw all of them crowded around him. He looked down on Ryoma and saw a pool of something red in between Ryoma's opened legs.
To be continued…
A/N:
(1) Do you think it sounded weird that Tezuka called Kuniyori and Kuniyosu, great-uncle Kuniyori / Kuniyosu? Please let me know through your review. I'm trying to find in the net on how the Japanese called their great-uncles in Japanese but I can't find it. So, whoever that know how, please let me know.
(2) 'Omae' mean you. But it is counted as very rude if you used it against the elders. If among friends, it's okay though.
(3) Baka Echizen. Tezuka wants to undress you so just let him do it! xD
(4) I'm not sure whether you had seen before the dojo in Rurouni Kenshin a.k.a Samurai X. The dojo I imagined is something like the one in the anime / manga.
(5) Hahaha! I can't stop laughing. I can't believe that I testing Tezuka's self control. =P
Does anybody feel like chopping Kunikazu to pieces and feed him to the carnivores? Let me know in the reviews so I can plan the intensity of his torture in the latter chapters.
I would like to thank this entire list of websites for providing me with information required for this chapter.
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Keikogi
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Hakama
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Kendo
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Japanese(underscore)tea(underscore)ceremony
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Chashitsu
www(dot)japan-guide(dot)com(slash)e(slash)e638(dot)html
en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org(slash)wiki(slash)Mizuya
www(dot)oniko(dot)de(slash)misc(slash)bin(slash)hakama(hyphen)tying(dot)gif
(Built bomb-proof shelter) Reviews!
-Yuujirou-