Disclaimer: The characters and events of Prince of Tennis and Noir belong to their respective owners, and no profit was made from the writing of this story.
Categories: Crossover, Alternate Universe, Action, Drama, Fujific
Rating: PG-13 (possibly higher later)
Spoilers: Prince of Tennis (Fuji's tennis moves, nothing major), Noir (Mireille's family, Kirika's past, Soldats)
Author's Notes:
Okay, I've done the unthinkable: a crossover between tennis and assassination. I can already see people's incredulous looks (i.e. "Are you INSANE!?"), but please hear me out. This idea came to me after I watched a few Fuji-centric episodes of PoT, and it *refused* to let go after Kirika entered the scene. The result is a hopefully believable saga that explores the darker side of Fuji Syusuke, and the lighter one of Yuumura Kirika.
Timeline:
Seigaku is a junior high school, right? But does anyone actually believe that Tezuka is a 14-year-old? No? I thought so. ^_^ Therefore, in this story, everything in PoT is high school level. Furthermore, whether or not Seigaku actually wins in canon, assume that Seigaku won Nationals the year before, during Echizen's freshman year, which makes this senior year for Fuji and his classmates.
Now... On with the show!
-= Prologue =-
"New mission," Mireille Bouquet announced, tossing a folder across the pool table at her partner in crime prevention. Although Mireille's roommate had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting down for breakfast, the younger woman caught the folder with ease. "It seems to be related to you personally, Kirika," Mireille added as she gracefully buttered a croissant.
Yuumura Kirika raised her eyebrows briefly but said nothing as she started on her toast and leafed through the contents of the folder. Then, she frowned. "Mireille," her brows furrowed even further, "this mission requires us to stay in Tokyo for at least a few weeks. I don't believe it's wise to leave Paris before Soldats is completely-"
Kirika abruptly stopped talking, her hand frozen on a page.
Mireille tried not to look as if she had expected Kirika's wide-eyed reaction, but the corners of her mouth quirked upwards perceptibly. "Oh, I think this kind of request from your old family is too important to ignore, don't you think?"
The younger ex-assassin looked up from her perusal of the papers, a detached expression on her face. "They weren't close enough to be family... No one ever was. They were just doing their duty as part of Soldats, so they must have ulterior motives for summoning me to Japan."
"I suppose they might... But I heard that particular family broke off from the Soldats underworld, just as mine did," Mireille stated, calmly taking a sip of her tea. "Why else do you think they're asking for you now? They must know you're no longer in the killing business."
"To protect..." Kirika murmured, glancing over the file. "I guess that makes sense. But still..."
"Well, if you want to look at it from a tactical standpoint, we've been driving Soldats back across Europe, but we haven't begun in Asia," the Corsican woman said evenly, tucking her stray blonde locks casually behind her ear. "Barring a full-scale assassin war, this could very well be the best opportunity we've had to severely weaken them in the East. The European leaders are too busy saving their own skins to cover their Asian strongholds, so now is a good time to strike. Your family will provide excellent cover."
"But they're only asking for me, not both of us," Kirika pointed out, "and you know we shouldn't split up. Not after we've come so far together."
"Kirika, True Noir is about faith and trust," Mireille reminded gently. "And I have absolute faith that you can do this. After all, isn't this what we do? Protect the innocent?"
"But *he's* not innocent," Kirika automatically whispered in protest, then hurriedly looked away. Mireille didn't miss the flash of self-loathing in Kirika's eyes. "Then again... who am I to judge?"
"Kirika..."
For a few seconds, the Japanese girl didn't respond. Mireille shifted uncomfortably in her seat, watching her best friend and wondering what she could say to convince the younger girl. After finishing her tea, however, Kirika sighed and asked, "Where will you be while I'm in Japan?"
Mireille suppressed a triumphant smile. "The United States. When the Japanese Soldats crumbles, we can finally get through the American Soldats' defenses, so I'm going ahead to scout for our next mission."
"I see," Kirika murmured, closing the folder.
"What do you think?"
Kirika shrugged noncommittally, and Mireille inwardly cringed, sensing her partner's displeasure at having to return to Japan and having their partnership divided.
As the two young women ate in silence, Mireille continued to observe Kirika, wishing that she would say something more. The dark-haired Japanese girl was never talkative, but even for her, the silence was a bit much. After they put away the dishes, Kirika sat in the couch and stared blankly ahead, leaving a cold feeling in Mireille's stomach.
Realizing that she would have to express her honest feelings if she wanted Kirika to wholeheartedly accept the mission, Mireille leaned against the pool table with a sigh and spoke again. "So... do you want to know what I really think?"
Kirika turned, startled. For someone as alert as Kirika, this was truly worrisome behavior. "What do you really think?" Kirika inquired softly, her disappointment in herself clear. Mireille recognized her friend's self-depreciating behavior because ever since they had discovered what had happened in Corsica over a decade ago, Kirika developed a strange tendency to feel guilty, regardless of who was at fault.
"I think time apart is good for us," Mireille declared at last, leveling her gaze at Kirika.
The younger girl's confusion was evident in her unassuming features. "What do you mean?"
Mireille smiled fondly at her partner, a quiet young woman whom she had come to think of as the younger sister she never had. Perhaps this mission would be painful for Kirika because it was personal, but Mireille had to accept that she couldn't shield Kirika forever. "The past year has been wonderful, hasn't it?" Mireille began wistfully. "A perfect partnership, protecting life instead of bringing death. It's the most fulfilling work of True Noir."
"I..." Kirika hesitated for an instant. "Yes..."
Mireille, whose cool demeanor contrasted with Kirika's subtle anxiety, slowly finished her tea before she continued to speak. "But now that we've found who we are when we're together, I think it's even more important for us to find out who we are when we're apart... don't you agree?"
"I... I never thought about that..." Kirika murmured truthfully, sinking lower into the cushions. She had never had a real identity, after all, because her life had been designed for murder. That was why she had so quickly eased into her life as True Noir with Mireille; assassination was familiar, and it was the only thing that had ever defined Yuumura Kirika.
"When this war with Soldats is over, what will you do, Kirika?" the Frenchwoman now asked, a challenge barely audible in her tone. "Who will you be?"
"I don't know what..." Kirika paused as the enormity of the question registered in her mind.
Mireille was asking about life after Soldats.
No more deaths. No more pain. No more conspiracies.
Just living as a human being, never worrying that someone might try to kill her or harm someone she loved.
Kirika knew that life away from murder was actually within their grasp. She and Mireille had been fighting steadily towards a Soldats-free world for the past year, ever since they had limped out of the final confrontation at the Manor. Perhaps within two years, they might even be free from any obligation to remain in the realm of organized crime.
But... Could she do it? What should she do afterwards? What did Yuumura Kirika want to do?
She didn't know, and, she belatedly realized, in this respect, her partner had already left her behind. Mireille, who was rich and had the whole world at her disposal, who had grown up with an identity that Kirika lacked, had already left her behind. On the other hand, Kirika still had no idea who she could be, who she should be. Panic gradually assailed her senses as the idea of being forever alone taunted her, but then her best friend's warm voice broke through her thoughts, soothing her as always.
"That is *exactly* what I want you to find for yourself."
Kirika cautiously lifted her eyes to her partner's, discomfort and doubt playing havoc in her heart. When she saw the understanding on Mireille's face, however, her doubt was erased, and Kirika said the first thing that came to mind to express the overwhelming gratitude in her heart.
"A-Arigatou, Mireille."
Mireille's smile broadened. "You're welcome."
-= End of Prologue =-
=================
Underworld
=================
A Prince of Tennis/Noir Crossover
By Dark Rune
-= Level One: Glass Door =-
He had never been one to believe that there was such a thing as a defining moment in a person's life. Life was a continuous experience, filled with important events that shaped a person's character, and he couldn't believe one second in time could so drastically alter the course of his existence. It was no surprise, then, that he was caught off guard when that moment finally came and changed his life forever. After that moment, the first month of school, the hours of homework and half-hearted studying, the grueling tennis tryouts, and even Tezuka's farewell party, all faded into a timeless blur for 17-year-old Fuji Syusuke.
Normally, at such an early time on a Monday morning, he would be staring out the window, not paying attention to the sensei because the sensei couldn't possibly teach him anything he didn't already know. Normally, the unfailingly smiling senior would be thinking about what he'd have for lunch, or what subjects he wished to capture on film, or how he could improve his tennis if he altered his stroke by just the right angle. Therefore, when the sensei opened the door to introduce a new student, Fuji turned his head in mild interest, as he would have done on any other Monday morning. But then this was no ordinary Monday morning.
Her presence shook him. The significance of her arrival sent a chill through his heart.
Suddenly, food, photography, and tennis ceased to matter as Fuji's smile faltered and his eyes opened. His classmates were all far too excited about the new student to notice Fuji's highly uncharacteristic behavior, and for that, Fuji was somewhat grateful. But why did no one tell him that she was here? Surely his family must have known.
"Good morning. My name is Yuumura Kirika. It's nice to meet you all."
She bowed.
Fuji heard a collective sigh emanating from the newly infatuated young men in the class, but he couldn't really blame them for being hormone-driven boys. If he hadn't known her for what she truly was, Fuji might have reacted the same way, because, simply put, Yuumura Kirika was beautiful.
She most certainly wasn't beautiful in the sexy, foxy adult sense, yet the aura of peace and loveliness surrounding her was intoxicating. Her quiet, angelic features and soulful brown eyes framed by short, auburn locks arrested the attention of every young man in the room, all of whom were salivating pitifully at this point. She certainly looked like the cute, dependable girl a guy could bring home to his parents, but Fuji knew what lay behind Kirika's innocent charm.
He was repulsed.
As her demure beauty wrought devastation on the male species, Kirika attracted the worried stares the female students. After all, Kirika's gaze was now directed straight at the one person who *never* paid attention in class: Fuji Syusuke. Fuji, for his part, met her seemingly emotionless stare with his friendly one, which further aroused suspicion within the female population.
"Would you please say a few things about yourself, Yuumura?" the sensei urged, not noticing the drastic change in his students' attitudes. Suddenly, the boys were sitting up straighter, and the girls were searing the front of the class with hawk-eyed glares.
Kirika turned to the teacher and tilted her head in a slight nod. "I moved here just today from Kyoto, which is why I was late. Please excuse my tardiness."
"Don't worry about it," the sensei said kindly.
"Thank you. I'm looking forward to this class, as I have heard many wonderful things about Seigaku."
At this point, an excited-looking young man in the front quickly raised his hand, and the teacher motioned for him to speak. "Question, Ichigawa?"
"Hai!" Ichigawa practically shouted. "Yuumura-san, do you plan on joining any clubs this year? What are your interests?"
Fuji's smile faltered. He knew this girl- no, she wasn't that innocent- this woman. He knew her interests because they had once, a long time ago, coincided with his. The school couldn't possibly offer anything that could interest someone like her.
"I like art very much," she revealed, with a small smile at the awestruck group of young men in the front. Fuji did a double take, because it seemed, at least to his discerning gaze, that Kirika's shy smile was genuine. "I love to paint, and I've also recently developed an interest in tennis."
As soon as the words left her lips, Fuji felt his entire body tense, and everyone in the class inevitably turned to look at him. Kirika probably already knew that Seigaku was famous for having the best tennis team in the nation. He met Kirika's outwardly innocent stare without flinching, but inside he was in turmoil.
What exactly was she up to? She had brought attention to him on purpose.
"Well then, I must say you are in luck, Yuumura," the sensei beamed, oblivious to the strange tension between Fuji and Kirika that the class had only now begun to notice. "Fuji is the school's famous tennis prodigy. I'm sure he can help you out."
Kirika's smile softened, surprising Fuji again with her apparent sincerity. "Hello, Fuji-kun."
Though his mind was now reeling, Fuji retained perfect control over his voice and over his cheerful features. "Long time no see, Yuumura-chan."
A combined gasp from the class pierced the air, now thick with disbelief. Jaws dropped in perfect unison. For a full minute, shocked silence dominated the room as Fuji and Kirika eyed each other with pleasant expressions that betrayed none of their feelings. The mysterious relation between Fuji and Yuumura suddenly outshone every thought in all the students' minds, and no one dared to speak lest they ruin the moment. In the end, it was the petrified Ichigawa, who collapsed loudly out of his seat, that broke the spell.
Remembering that he had a class to teach, the sensei reddened slightly and cleared his throat. "Well, erm, it seems you already know each other, then. That's... good... Ichigawa, return to your seat. Yuumura, thank you for your introduction. You may sit behind Fuji."
Shifting her book bag over her shoulder, Kirika walked towards the back of the room, and just as she reached Fuji's desk, everyone held their breaths in anticipation of what the pretty new girl and the intriguingly smiling (and wildly popular) guy might say. To everyone's vast disappointment, they only nodded politely at each other. Kirika didn't even pause to chat. She just kept walking and sat in her newly assigned seat, next to a girl who looked as if she would like to kill her. Of course, that girl (like all other girls) had a crush on Fuji, so it was no surprise that she (like all other girls) would treat Kirika with unmasked hostility and suspicion.
When the sensei began the lesson at last, no one was paying attention except for Fuji (strangely enough) and the new student. Everyone else was too busy staring at them to care.
"Wait a minute. You actually KNOW the new girl!?" Kikumaru Eiji blurted, gaping at Fuji as if the tennis genius had sprouted wings. Unfortunately, as this was lunch time, Kikumaru's outburst startled his doubles partner, Oishi Syuichiroh, and caused the mostly dignified tennis captain to choke on his sushi in an undignified manner. Kikumaru didn't even notice his best friend coughing violently next to him.
Still smiling, Fuji directed his answer to the table crowded by senior Seigaku regulars. "Hai. I would have introduced her to you all, but she got called to the principal's office just before lunch, so I suppose I'll save the introductions for later."
"What's so special about the new girl, anyway?" Oishi asked, regaining his composure and shooting a dirty look at his more animated tennis partner.
"Have you even SEEN her?" Kikumaru asked dramatically. "She's soooooooo cute! So angelic! I'd give anything to have a girlfriend like that!"
"Pretty girls throw themselves at your feet all the time, Kikumaru," Kawamura Takashi, sitting on the opposite side of Oishi, pointed out with a slight blush. "What's wrong with all of them?"
Kikumaru grinned. "I already know all those girls, and none of them are right for me, but this new girl could be my soulmate!"
Fuji's eyes narrowed in disapproval, and although Fuji kept his smile, Inui Sadaharu, sharp-eyed observer that he was, caught the tennis prodigy's unusual behavior. When Inui began muttering to himself, Fuji sighed in dismay. He didn't feel like explaining how he knew Kirika since he didn't know if she was supposed to be undercover for Soldats or for someone else. He needed to talk to her soon, to discover her real intentions in Seigaku. Professional assassins didn't need high school or tennis, after all, so obviously, her mission must have something to do with him.
"Fuji-kun, may I speak with you for a moment?"
The quiet female voice washed over the table like ice water.
Speak of the devil, Fuji thought darkly.
Every conversation and heated argument at the table halted, and all the regulars except Fuji stared, red-faced and wide-eyed, at the shy-looking young woman who had recently been the object of their loud debates. She was positioned just behind Fuji, but if she hadn't spoken up, they wouldn't have even noticed her there. Fuji stood, his smile strained for normalcy as he turned to her. "Yuumura-chan, of course. But first I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends and teammates."
Kirika nodded politely. "Hello, everyone. My name is Yuumura Kirika."
"Inui Sadaharu. Nice to meet you." Inui stood to greet her, his glasses glinting.
Kawamura blushed heavily as he, too, raised himself to his full height to introduce himself. "K-Kawamura Takashi."
"Oishi..." the captain swallowed hard, standing ramrod straight, "Syu-Syuichiroh."
"K-K-Kimo... uh, K-Kikomer... itai!" Kikumaru flinched as Oishi kicked him under the table.
Fuji grinned. "The one who forgot his name is Kikumaru Eiji."
"FUJI!" Kikumaru yelled indignantly, turning a deeper shade of red as he sat down.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kirika told the tennis players honestly.
Fuji packed his belongings and threw the remnants of his lunch into a nearby trash can. "Well then, I'll see you guys at practice," he announced cheerfully. Judging from the shock on his friends' faces (FUJI! Leaving! With a GIRL!), he knew he would have much explaining to do after school. Fuji was just glad no one else on the tennis team was in room 4-A; otherwise, he would be interrogated mercilessly during his afternoon classes.
"Let's go then, Fuji-kun," Kirika smiled, casually taking his hand in hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do.
Nearly tripping over his own feet in stupefaction, Fuji felt his mouth drop open, his eyes expanding to almost comical proportions. Helplessly, he glanced over his shoulder at his teammates, who had now advanced to varying stages of terror-induced cardiac arrest. Fuji winced as he calculated that the amount of explanations he would need had just quadrupled, and that was when he noticed something else amiss.
The customarily high noise level in the cafeteria had dropped off entirely. It was eerily quiet.
Looking back, Fuji saw that it wasn't just the tennis regulars who were staring stupidly at his and Kirika's linked hands; ALL the students in the entire cafeteria had ceased chattering and were now staring, thunderstruck. For the first time in his life, Fuji felt his cheeks grow impossibly warm. So this must be what it felt like to be embarrassed and infuriated at the same time...
As Kirika pulled him out of the cafeteria, Fuji, still smiling, whispered irritably, "Whatever it is you've got planned, Kirika-chan, I won't be a part of it."
She stopped only several meters out in the hallway and turned to face him, never letting go of his hand and pointedly ignoring passing students who saw Fuji with the fabled new girl. Of course, the passers-by promptly passed out in disbelief and denial that the wonderful Fuji-sama might finally be off-limits.
"Syusuke-kun," Kirika began, looking up at him, "how well do you know me?"
He glanced away. "Just as well as you know me."
For some reason, Kirika appeared hurt by the comment. "Then you don't know anything at all. Let's find somewhere private. I'll explain everything there."
Although he maintained his usual close-eyed, cheerful expression, his smile seemed to exude cruelty to her all of a sudden. "No."
She hesitated. "No?"
"I feel very much like killing you now," Fuji murmured softly, dangerously, pulling her close with his frightening strength so that their faces were only inches apart, their hands clasped in the small space between their bodies. He was still smiling amiably. "Don't think I've forgotten what happened five years ago, Kirika-chan."
Her grip on his hand tightened. "You... you don't really know me. You don't know what's going on anymore, do you? 'Nee-san said as much."
Eyes flashing, Fuji wrenched his hand away from hers as if she had burned him. "You... you spoke to my sister?"
"Yes, just this morning after you left."
Fuji's affable mask crumbled, revealing narrowed dark eyes and lips fixed in a grim line. "You... you betrayed my family. I know what you are, and you have no right to return to us. You have no right to address 'Nee-san with such familiarity. And even if she doesn't see through you, I do. What do you really want?"
Fuji was surprised when Kirika lowered her head and averted her gaze, as if she were regretful. For a moment, he doubted himself, but then he recalled that five years had passed since their last encounter. As a first-rate assassin, Kirika probably would have used those years to develop new skills to help her in her murderous profession. She must have learned skills she would need to survive undetected, unsuspected.
She must have learned to put on a mask, just as he had.
"'Nee-san was the one who contacted me, Syusuke-kun."
Fuji froze. "What?"
"Now will you listen to me?" she pleaded, her voice a notch below a whisper, and she reached for his hand again.
He flinched when her fingers found his, but he didn't pull away. He had to admit that the Kirika he had known seemed different from the one who stood in front of him, but he wasn't too sure if she was different in a good way or a bad way.
"Why do you keep doing this?" he asked, suddenly curious.
Confused, she looked up into his eyes. "Doing what?"
"This," he raised their joined hands to her eye level reprimandingly, but he was confounded when he saw her face flush. It was not a reaction he had been expecting. "Did you take my hand in front of the whole school just to embarrass me or to start rumors about us? In case you didn't know, I'm not particularly fond of you."
"I... gomen. I just needed to talk to you, and you weren't ready to listen," she explained, still keeping his hand in hers, her head bent low. "I need to connect with you, Syusuke-kun, and... this is the only way I know how."
"Still, if you were trying to be inconspicuous about your mission, I think you just ruined any chance you had at keeping our... relationship... a secret."
Kirika smiled, and Fuji found himself strangely fascinated. The Kirika he remembered had never smiled. The Kirika he had known had been in an eternally apathetic, murderous stupor. By contrast, the woman who stood before him smiled so easily yet so sadly... almost as if she meant it. Of course, she could have simply grown into a talented actress over the years, so he certainly wouldn't let his guard down in front of her.
"Gomen... I didn't know you were that popular, so... I didn't mean to embarrass you... but this is also the first part of my assignment."
"Your assignment?" Fuji arched an eyebrow. "All right... Since it involves my family, we *will* have a long talk about this."
"But we have to do it somewhere private," she said quickly.
"Well then... The Photography Room is usually empty at lunch," Fuji said after a moment's thought. "The sensei lets me stay there even when no one's around, so I think that's the safest place. We can lock the door. We won't be disturbed."
"Let's go then," Kirika nodded her assent and followed Fuji as he pulled her down the hall, jogging lightly.
As he led her towards his private, usually lonely sanctuary, Fuji realized that he was still holding her hand unnecessarily, and, for some perverse reason, he thought he might be enjoying the contact. He shuddered, but he didn't let go.
He could only imagine how easy it would be for Kirika to snap his neck if both her hands were free.
When Fuji and the new girl were out of sight, all the Seigaku tennis regulars, including lower classmen Kaidoh Kaoru, Momoshiro Takeshi, and Vice-Captain Echizen Ryoma, tumbled through the doorway of the cafeteria where they had been eavesdropping and landed spectacularly in a tangled heap of petrified limbs. Every one of their faces was red, from Kikumaru's, now indistinguishable from his hair, to Kaidoh's, which currently matched his bandanna. For a few painfully long moments, everyone refrained from speaking. Then, still trapped in the unmoving heap, Captain Oishi broke the awkward silence.
"Secret... relationship?" he squeaked uncharacteristically.
"Fuji-san's... fond of her?" Kawamura added dazedly from somewhere else in the pile.
"Help on a homework assignment?" Momoshiro blurted out in shock. "That... Fuji-senpai... I didn't know he was such a sly-"
"Fssssshhhh," hissed the Viper, blushing furiously.
"They're... They're... They're doing... it..." Kikumaru babbled disbelievingly. "Fuji's doing it... Fuji... Fuji in the... Photography Room..."
Echizen spoke with disinterest, but several of his teammates noticed that his indifference sounded distinctly forced. "So what?"
For a few moments, no one replied.
That was all it took for Kikumaru to explode. "OH MY GOD!!! FUJI'S GETTING LAID!!! FUJI!!!"
A stunned silence followed, during which the image of the friendly, respected, amazing, invincible, God-like Fuji Syusuke that everyone had built up in his mind shattered in agonizingly slow motion. And then, from somewhere else in the jumbled mass of tennis players, Inui's calmly muttering voice was heard at last.
"...and that is the situation. What do you think, Te-"
A sudden pause. A beep of a cell phone.
Then, "He hung up."
-= End Chapter One =-
End Notes:
I adore Fuji. Can you tell? I also love that his potential goes far beyond tennis and that he has an air of mystery around him. That's precisely what allows Noir to blend into his world, and, as a result, Fuji and Kirika work beautifully together. After all, Kirika is the inwardly kind girl who would show emotions but has none, while Fuji is the inwardly not-so-nice (possibly cruel) boy who has emotions but refuses to show them. Ah, such sweet contrast...
About Tezuka:
Where is he? Mwahahaha... We'll see him in later chapters! Don't worry. I love Tezuka dearly, but I think he's too awesome to stay in high school tennis...
About the Team:
Since the story is Fuji-centric, and not tennis-centric, the rest of the PoT cast will play relatively minor roles. Mireille and Tezuka will show up again, but I won't say when or how they'll appear... just that they will, and they won't be too minor. ^_^
~~ Japanese Translations and Definitions of Series-Specific Terms ~~
Soldats – a worldwide criminal organization (like the Mafia, only more widespread and much more powerful)
Noir – a codename for Kirika and Mireille's contract killing team
True Noir – an author-created codename of Kirika and Mireille's new team whose purpose is to destroy Soldats
-san – respectful suffix, good for any occasion
-chan – familiar suffix usually used for/by girls and/or close friends
-kun – familiar suffix usually used for/by boys and their peers
arigatou – thank you
hai – yes
'Nee-san (Onee-san) – older sister
gomen - sorry
Please review and/or send questions, comments, and criticisms to rune_dreaming@yahoo.com! It is all greatly appreciated!
Copyright (C) 2003 by Dark Rune. All rights reserved.
Categories: Crossover, Alternate Universe, Action, Drama, Fujific
Rating: PG-13 (possibly higher later)
Spoilers: Prince of Tennis (Fuji's tennis moves, nothing major), Noir (Mireille's family, Kirika's past, Soldats)
Author's Notes:
Okay, I've done the unthinkable: a crossover between tennis and assassination. I can already see people's incredulous looks (i.e. "Are you INSANE!?"), but please hear me out. This idea came to me after I watched a few Fuji-centric episodes of PoT, and it *refused* to let go after Kirika entered the scene. The result is a hopefully believable saga that explores the darker side of Fuji Syusuke, and the lighter one of Yuumura Kirika.
Timeline:
Seigaku is a junior high school, right? But does anyone actually believe that Tezuka is a 14-year-old? No? I thought so. ^_^ Therefore, in this story, everything in PoT is high school level. Furthermore, whether or not Seigaku actually wins in canon, assume that Seigaku won Nationals the year before, during Echizen's freshman year, which makes this senior year for Fuji and his classmates.
Now... On with the show!
-= Prologue =-
"New mission," Mireille Bouquet announced, tossing a folder across the pool table at her partner in crime prevention. Although Mireille's roommate had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting down for breakfast, the younger woman caught the folder with ease. "It seems to be related to you personally, Kirika," Mireille added as she gracefully buttered a croissant.
Yuumura Kirika raised her eyebrows briefly but said nothing as she started on her toast and leafed through the contents of the folder. Then, she frowned. "Mireille," her brows furrowed even further, "this mission requires us to stay in Tokyo for at least a few weeks. I don't believe it's wise to leave Paris before Soldats is completely-"
Kirika abruptly stopped talking, her hand frozen on a page.
Mireille tried not to look as if she had expected Kirika's wide-eyed reaction, but the corners of her mouth quirked upwards perceptibly. "Oh, I think this kind of request from your old family is too important to ignore, don't you think?"
The younger ex-assassin looked up from her perusal of the papers, a detached expression on her face. "They weren't close enough to be family... No one ever was. They were just doing their duty as part of Soldats, so they must have ulterior motives for summoning me to Japan."
"I suppose they might... But I heard that particular family broke off from the Soldats underworld, just as mine did," Mireille stated, calmly taking a sip of her tea. "Why else do you think they're asking for you now? They must know you're no longer in the killing business."
"To protect..." Kirika murmured, glancing over the file. "I guess that makes sense. But still..."
"Well, if you want to look at it from a tactical standpoint, we've been driving Soldats back across Europe, but we haven't begun in Asia," the Corsican woman said evenly, tucking her stray blonde locks casually behind her ear. "Barring a full-scale assassin war, this could very well be the best opportunity we've had to severely weaken them in the East. The European leaders are too busy saving their own skins to cover their Asian strongholds, so now is a good time to strike. Your family will provide excellent cover."
"But they're only asking for me, not both of us," Kirika pointed out, "and you know we shouldn't split up. Not after we've come so far together."
"Kirika, True Noir is about faith and trust," Mireille reminded gently. "And I have absolute faith that you can do this. After all, isn't this what we do? Protect the innocent?"
"But *he's* not innocent," Kirika automatically whispered in protest, then hurriedly looked away. Mireille didn't miss the flash of self-loathing in Kirika's eyes. "Then again... who am I to judge?"
"Kirika..."
For a few seconds, the Japanese girl didn't respond. Mireille shifted uncomfortably in her seat, watching her best friend and wondering what she could say to convince the younger girl. After finishing her tea, however, Kirika sighed and asked, "Where will you be while I'm in Japan?"
Mireille suppressed a triumphant smile. "The United States. When the Japanese Soldats crumbles, we can finally get through the American Soldats' defenses, so I'm going ahead to scout for our next mission."
"I see," Kirika murmured, closing the folder.
"What do you think?"
Kirika shrugged noncommittally, and Mireille inwardly cringed, sensing her partner's displeasure at having to return to Japan and having their partnership divided.
As the two young women ate in silence, Mireille continued to observe Kirika, wishing that she would say something more. The dark-haired Japanese girl was never talkative, but even for her, the silence was a bit much. After they put away the dishes, Kirika sat in the couch and stared blankly ahead, leaving a cold feeling in Mireille's stomach.
Realizing that she would have to express her honest feelings if she wanted Kirika to wholeheartedly accept the mission, Mireille leaned against the pool table with a sigh and spoke again. "So... do you want to know what I really think?"
Kirika turned, startled. For someone as alert as Kirika, this was truly worrisome behavior. "What do you really think?" Kirika inquired softly, her disappointment in herself clear. Mireille recognized her friend's self-depreciating behavior because ever since they had discovered what had happened in Corsica over a decade ago, Kirika developed a strange tendency to feel guilty, regardless of who was at fault.
"I think time apart is good for us," Mireille declared at last, leveling her gaze at Kirika.
The younger girl's confusion was evident in her unassuming features. "What do you mean?"
Mireille smiled fondly at her partner, a quiet young woman whom she had come to think of as the younger sister she never had. Perhaps this mission would be painful for Kirika because it was personal, but Mireille had to accept that she couldn't shield Kirika forever. "The past year has been wonderful, hasn't it?" Mireille began wistfully. "A perfect partnership, protecting life instead of bringing death. It's the most fulfilling work of True Noir."
"I..." Kirika hesitated for an instant. "Yes..."
Mireille, whose cool demeanor contrasted with Kirika's subtle anxiety, slowly finished her tea before she continued to speak. "But now that we've found who we are when we're together, I think it's even more important for us to find out who we are when we're apart... don't you agree?"
"I... I never thought about that..." Kirika murmured truthfully, sinking lower into the cushions. She had never had a real identity, after all, because her life had been designed for murder. That was why she had so quickly eased into her life as True Noir with Mireille; assassination was familiar, and it was the only thing that had ever defined Yuumura Kirika.
"When this war with Soldats is over, what will you do, Kirika?" the Frenchwoman now asked, a challenge barely audible in her tone. "Who will you be?"
"I don't know what..." Kirika paused as the enormity of the question registered in her mind.
Mireille was asking about life after Soldats.
No more deaths. No more pain. No more conspiracies.
Just living as a human being, never worrying that someone might try to kill her or harm someone she loved.
Kirika knew that life away from murder was actually within their grasp. She and Mireille had been fighting steadily towards a Soldats-free world for the past year, ever since they had limped out of the final confrontation at the Manor. Perhaps within two years, they might even be free from any obligation to remain in the realm of organized crime.
But... Could she do it? What should she do afterwards? What did Yuumura Kirika want to do?
She didn't know, and, she belatedly realized, in this respect, her partner had already left her behind. Mireille, who was rich and had the whole world at her disposal, who had grown up with an identity that Kirika lacked, had already left her behind. On the other hand, Kirika still had no idea who she could be, who she should be. Panic gradually assailed her senses as the idea of being forever alone taunted her, but then her best friend's warm voice broke through her thoughts, soothing her as always.
"That is *exactly* what I want you to find for yourself."
Kirika cautiously lifted her eyes to her partner's, discomfort and doubt playing havoc in her heart. When she saw the understanding on Mireille's face, however, her doubt was erased, and Kirika said the first thing that came to mind to express the overwhelming gratitude in her heart.
"A-Arigatou, Mireille."
Mireille's smile broadened. "You're welcome."
-= End of Prologue =-
Underworld
=================
A Prince of Tennis/Noir Crossover
By Dark Rune
-= Level One: Glass Door =-
He had never been one to believe that there was such a thing as a defining moment in a person's life. Life was a continuous experience, filled with important events that shaped a person's character, and he couldn't believe one second in time could so drastically alter the course of his existence. It was no surprise, then, that he was caught off guard when that moment finally came and changed his life forever. After that moment, the first month of school, the hours of homework and half-hearted studying, the grueling tennis tryouts, and even Tezuka's farewell party, all faded into a timeless blur for 17-year-old Fuji Syusuke.
Normally, at such an early time on a Monday morning, he would be staring out the window, not paying attention to the sensei because the sensei couldn't possibly teach him anything he didn't already know. Normally, the unfailingly smiling senior would be thinking about what he'd have for lunch, or what subjects he wished to capture on film, or how he could improve his tennis if he altered his stroke by just the right angle. Therefore, when the sensei opened the door to introduce a new student, Fuji turned his head in mild interest, as he would have done on any other Monday morning. But then this was no ordinary Monday morning.
Her presence shook him. The significance of her arrival sent a chill through his heart.
Suddenly, food, photography, and tennis ceased to matter as Fuji's smile faltered and his eyes opened. His classmates were all far too excited about the new student to notice Fuji's highly uncharacteristic behavior, and for that, Fuji was somewhat grateful. But why did no one tell him that she was here? Surely his family must have known.
"Good morning. My name is Yuumura Kirika. It's nice to meet you all."
She bowed.
Fuji heard a collective sigh emanating from the newly infatuated young men in the class, but he couldn't really blame them for being hormone-driven boys. If he hadn't known her for what she truly was, Fuji might have reacted the same way, because, simply put, Yuumura Kirika was beautiful.
She most certainly wasn't beautiful in the sexy, foxy adult sense, yet the aura of peace and loveliness surrounding her was intoxicating. Her quiet, angelic features and soulful brown eyes framed by short, auburn locks arrested the attention of every young man in the room, all of whom were salivating pitifully at this point. She certainly looked like the cute, dependable girl a guy could bring home to his parents, but Fuji knew what lay behind Kirika's innocent charm.
He was repulsed.
As her demure beauty wrought devastation on the male species, Kirika attracted the worried stares the female students. After all, Kirika's gaze was now directed straight at the one person who *never* paid attention in class: Fuji Syusuke. Fuji, for his part, met her seemingly emotionless stare with his friendly one, which further aroused suspicion within the female population.
"Would you please say a few things about yourself, Yuumura?" the sensei urged, not noticing the drastic change in his students' attitudes. Suddenly, the boys were sitting up straighter, and the girls were searing the front of the class with hawk-eyed glares.
Kirika turned to the teacher and tilted her head in a slight nod. "I moved here just today from Kyoto, which is why I was late. Please excuse my tardiness."
"Don't worry about it," the sensei said kindly.
"Thank you. I'm looking forward to this class, as I have heard many wonderful things about Seigaku."
At this point, an excited-looking young man in the front quickly raised his hand, and the teacher motioned for him to speak. "Question, Ichigawa?"
"Hai!" Ichigawa practically shouted. "Yuumura-san, do you plan on joining any clubs this year? What are your interests?"
Fuji's smile faltered. He knew this girl- no, she wasn't that innocent- this woman. He knew her interests because they had once, a long time ago, coincided with his. The school couldn't possibly offer anything that could interest someone like her.
"I like art very much," she revealed, with a small smile at the awestruck group of young men in the front. Fuji did a double take, because it seemed, at least to his discerning gaze, that Kirika's shy smile was genuine. "I love to paint, and I've also recently developed an interest in tennis."
As soon as the words left her lips, Fuji felt his entire body tense, and everyone in the class inevitably turned to look at him. Kirika probably already knew that Seigaku was famous for having the best tennis team in the nation. He met Kirika's outwardly innocent stare without flinching, but inside he was in turmoil.
What exactly was she up to? She had brought attention to him on purpose.
"Well then, I must say you are in luck, Yuumura," the sensei beamed, oblivious to the strange tension between Fuji and Kirika that the class had only now begun to notice. "Fuji is the school's famous tennis prodigy. I'm sure he can help you out."
Kirika's smile softened, surprising Fuji again with her apparent sincerity. "Hello, Fuji-kun."
Though his mind was now reeling, Fuji retained perfect control over his voice and over his cheerful features. "Long time no see, Yuumura-chan."
A combined gasp from the class pierced the air, now thick with disbelief. Jaws dropped in perfect unison. For a full minute, shocked silence dominated the room as Fuji and Kirika eyed each other with pleasant expressions that betrayed none of their feelings. The mysterious relation between Fuji and Yuumura suddenly outshone every thought in all the students' minds, and no one dared to speak lest they ruin the moment. In the end, it was the petrified Ichigawa, who collapsed loudly out of his seat, that broke the spell.
Remembering that he had a class to teach, the sensei reddened slightly and cleared his throat. "Well, erm, it seems you already know each other, then. That's... good... Ichigawa, return to your seat. Yuumura, thank you for your introduction. You may sit behind Fuji."
Shifting her book bag over her shoulder, Kirika walked towards the back of the room, and just as she reached Fuji's desk, everyone held their breaths in anticipation of what the pretty new girl and the intriguingly smiling (and wildly popular) guy might say. To everyone's vast disappointment, they only nodded politely at each other. Kirika didn't even pause to chat. She just kept walking and sat in her newly assigned seat, next to a girl who looked as if she would like to kill her. Of course, that girl (like all other girls) had a crush on Fuji, so it was no surprise that she (like all other girls) would treat Kirika with unmasked hostility and suspicion.
When the sensei began the lesson at last, no one was paying attention except for Fuji (strangely enough) and the new student. Everyone else was too busy staring at them to care.
"Wait a minute. You actually KNOW the new girl!?" Kikumaru Eiji blurted, gaping at Fuji as if the tennis genius had sprouted wings. Unfortunately, as this was lunch time, Kikumaru's outburst startled his doubles partner, Oishi Syuichiroh, and caused the mostly dignified tennis captain to choke on his sushi in an undignified manner. Kikumaru didn't even notice his best friend coughing violently next to him.
Still smiling, Fuji directed his answer to the table crowded by senior Seigaku regulars. "Hai. I would have introduced her to you all, but she got called to the principal's office just before lunch, so I suppose I'll save the introductions for later."
"What's so special about the new girl, anyway?" Oishi asked, regaining his composure and shooting a dirty look at his more animated tennis partner.
"Have you even SEEN her?" Kikumaru asked dramatically. "She's soooooooo cute! So angelic! I'd give anything to have a girlfriend like that!"
"Pretty girls throw themselves at your feet all the time, Kikumaru," Kawamura Takashi, sitting on the opposite side of Oishi, pointed out with a slight blush. "What's wrong with all of them?"
Kikumaru grinned. "I already know all those girls, and none of them are right for me, but this new girl could be my soulmate!"
Fuji's eyes narrowed in disapproval, and although Fuji kept his smile, Inui Sadaharu, sharp-eyed observer that he was, caught the tennis prodigy's unusual behavior. When Inui began muttering to himself, Fuji sighed in dismay. He didn't feel like explaining how he knew Kirika since he didn't know if she was supposed to be undercover for Soldats or for someone else. He needed to talk to her soon, to discover her real intentions in Seigaku. Professional assassins didn't need high school or tennis, after all, so obviously, her mission must have something to do with him.
"Fuji-kun, may I speak with you for a moment?"
The quiet female voice washed over the table like ice water.
Speak of the devil, Fuji thought darkly.
Every conversation and heated argument at the table halted, and all the regulars except Fuji stared, red-faced and wide-eyed, at the shy-looking young woman who had recently been the object of their loud debates. She was positioned just behind Fuji, but if she hadn't spoken up, they wouldn't have even noticed her there. Fuji stood, his smile strained for normalcy as he turned to her. "Yuumura-chan, of course. But first I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends and teammates."
Kirika nodded politely. "Hello, everyone. My name is Yuumura Kirika."
"Inui Sadaharu. Nice to meet you." Inui stood to greet her, his glasses glinting.
Kawamura blushed heavily as he, too, raised himself to his full height to introduce himself. "K-Kawamura Takashi."
"Oishi..." the captain swallowed hard, standing ramrod straight, "Syu-Syuichiroh."
"K-K-Kimo... uh, K-Kikomer... itai!" Kikumaru flinched as Oishi kicked him under the table.
Fuji grinned. "The one who forgot his name is Kikumaru Eiji."
"FUJI!" Kikumaru yelled indignantly, turning a deeper shade of red as he sat down.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kirika told the tennis players honestly.
Fuji packed his belongings and threw the remnants of his lunch into a nearby trash can. "Well then, I'll see you guys at practice," he announced cheerfully. Judging from the shock on his friends' faces (FUJI! Leaving! With a GIRL!), he knew he would have much explaining to do after school. Fuji was just glad no one else on the tennis team was in room 4-A; otherwise, he would be interrogated mercilessly during his afternoon classes.
"Let's go then, Fuji-kun," Kirika smiled, casually taking his hand in hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do.
Nearly tripping over his own feet in stupefaction, Fuji felt his mouth drop open, his eyes expanding to almost comical proportions. Helplessly, he glanced over his shoulder at his teammates, who had now advanced to varying stages of terror-induced cardiac arrest. Fuji winced as he calculated that the amount of explanations he would need had just quadrupled, and that was when he noticed something else amiss.
The customarily high noise level in the cafeteria had dropped off entirely. It was eerily quiet.
Looking back, Fuji saw that it wasn't just the tennis regulars who were staring stupidly at his and Kirika's linked hands; ALL the students in the entire cafeteria had ceased chattering and were now staring, thunderstruck. For the first time in his life, Fuji felt his cheeks grow impossibly warm. So this must be what it felt like to be embarrassed and infuriated at the same time...
As Kirika pulled him out of the cafeteria, Fuji, still smiling, whispered irritably, "Whatever it is you've got planned, Kirika-chan, I won't be a part of it."
She stopped only several meters out in the hallway and turned to face him, never letting go of his hand and pointedly ignoring passing students who saw Fuji with the fabled new girl. Of course, the passers-by promptly passed out in disbelief and denial that the wonderful Fuji-sama might finally be off-limits.
"Syusuke-kun," Kirika began, looking up at him, "how well do you know me?"
He glanced away. "Just as well as you know me."
For some reason, Kirika appeared hurt by the comment. "Then you don't know anything at all. Let's find somewhere private. I'll explain everything there."
Although he maintained his usual close-eyed, cheerful expression, his smile seemed to exude cruelty to her all of a sudden. "No."
She hesitated. "No?"
"I feel very much like killing you now," Fuji murmured softly, dangerously, pulling her close with his frightening strength so that their faces were only inches apart, their hands clasped in the small space between their bodies. He was still smiling amiably. "Don't think I've forgotten what happened five years ago, Kirika-chan."
Her grip on his hand tightened. "You... you don't really know me. You don't know what's going on anymore, do you? 'Nee-san said as much."
Eyes flashing, Fuji wrenched his hand away from hers as if she had burned him. "You... you spoke to my sister?"
"Yes, just this morning after you left."
Fuji's affable mask crumbled, revealing narrowed dark eyes and lips fixed in a grim line. "You... you betrayed my family. I know what you are, and you have no right to return to us. You have no right to address 'Nee-san with such familiarity. And even if she doesn't see through you, I do. What do you really want?"
Fuji was surprised when Kirika lowered her head and averted her gaze, as if she were regretful. For a moment, he doubted himself, but then he recalled that five years had passed since their last encounter. As a first-rate assassin, Kirika probably would have used those years to develop new skills to help her in her murderous profession. She must have learned skills she would need to survive undetected, unsuspected.
She must have learned to put on a mask, just as he had.
"'Nee-san was the one who contacted me, Syusuke-kun."
Fuji froze. "What?"
"Now will you listen to me?" she pleaded, her voice a notch below a whisper, and she reached for his hand again.
He flinched when her fingers found his, but he didn't pull away. He had to admit that the Kirika he had known seemed different from the one who stood in front of him, but he wasn't too sure if she was different in a good way or a bad way.
"Why do you keep doing this?" he asked, suddenly curious.
Confused, she looked up into his eyes. "Doing what?"
"This," he raised their joined hands to her eye level reprimandingly, but he was confounded when he saw her face flush. It was not a reaction he had been expecting. "Did you take my hand in front of the whole school just to embarrass me or to start rumors about us? In case you didn't know, I'm not particularly fond of you."
"I... gomen. I just needed to talk to you, and you weren't ready to listen," she explained, still keeping his hand in hers, her head bent low. "I need to connect with you, Syusuke-kun, and... this is the only way I know how."
"Still, if you were trying to be inconspicuous about your mission, I think you just ruined any chance you had at keeping our... relationship... a secret."
Kirika smiled, and Fuji found himself strangely fascinated. The Kirika he remembered had never smiled. The Kirika he had known had been in an eternally apathetic, murderous stupor. By contrast, the woman who stood before him smiled so easily yet so sadly... almost as if she meant it. Of course, she could have simply grown into a talented actress over the years, so he certainly wouldn't let his guard down in front of her.
"Gomen... I didn't know you were that popular, so... I didn't mean to embarrass you... but this is also the first part of my assignment."
"Your assignment?" Fuji arched an eyebrow. "All right... Since it involves my family, we *will* have a long talk about this."
"But we have to do it somewhere private," she said quickly.
"Well then... The Photography Room is usually empty at lunch," Fuji said after a moment's thought. "The sensei lets me stay there even when no one's around, so I think that's the safest place. We can lock the door. We won't be disturbed."
"Let's go then," Kirika nodded her assent and followed Fuji as he pulled her down the hall, jogging lightly.
As he led her towards his private, usually lonely sanctuary, Fuji realized that he was still holding her hand unnecessarily, and, for some perverse reason, he thought he might be enjoying the contact. He shuddered, but he didn't let go.
He could only imagine how easy it would be for Kirika to snap his neck if both her hands were free.
When Fuji and the new girl were out of sight, all the Seigaku tennis regulars, including lower classmen Kaidoh Kaoru, Momoshiro Takeshi, and Vice-Captain Echizen Ryoma, tumbled through the doorway of the cafeteria where they had been eavesdropping and landed spectacularly in a tangled heap of petrified limbs. Every one of their faces was red, from Kikumaru's, now indistinguishable from his hair, to Kaidoh's, which currently matched his bandanna. For a few painfully long moments, everyone refrained from speaking. Then, still trapped in the unmoving heap, Captain Oishi broke the awkward silence.
"Secret... relationship?" he squeaked uncharacteristically.
"Fuji-san's... fond of her?" Kawamura added dazedly from somewhere else in the pile.
"Help on a homework assignment?" Momoshiro blurted out in shock. "That... Fuji-senpai... I didn't know he was such a sly-"
"Fssssshhhh," hissed the Viper, blushing furiously.
"They're... They're... They're doing... it..." Kikumaru babbled disbelievingly. "Fuji's doing it... Fuji... Fuji in the... Photography Room..."
Echizen spoke with disinterest, but several of his teammates noticed that his indifference sounded distinctly forced. "So what?"
For a few moments, no one replied.
That was all it took for Kikumaru to explode. "OH MY GOD!!! FUJI'S GETTING LAID!!! FUJI!!!"
A stunned silence followed, during which the image of the friendly, respected, amazing, invincible, God-like Fuji Syusuke that everyone had built up in his mind shattered in agonizingly slow motion. And then, from somewhere else in the jumbled mass of tennis players, Inui's calmly muttering voice was heard at last.
"...and that is the situation. What do you think, Te-"
A sudden pause. A beep of a cell phone.
Then, "He hung up."
-= End Chapter One =-
End Notes:
I adore Fuji. Can you tell? I also love that his potential goes far beyond tennis and that he has an air of mystery around him. That's precisely what allows Noir to blend into his world, and, as a result, Fuji and Kirika work beautifully together. After all, Kirika is the inwardly kind girl who would show emotions but has none, while Fuji is the inwardly not-so-nice (possibly cruel) boy who has emotions but refuses to show them. Ah, such sweet contrast...
About Tezuka:
Where is he? Mwahahaha... We'll see him in later chapters! Don't worry. I love Tezuka dearly, but I think he's too awesome to stay in high school tennis...
About the Team:
Since the story is Fuji-centric, and not tennis-centric, the rest of the PoT cast will play relatively minor roles. Mireille and Tezuka will show up again, but I won't say when or how they'll appear... just that they will, and they won't be too minor. ^_^
~~ Japanese Translations and Definitions of Series-Specific Terms ~~
Soldats – a worldwide criminal organization (like the Mafia, only more widespread and much more powerful)
Noir – a codename for Kirika and Mireille's contract killing team
True Noir – an author-created codename of Kirika and Mireille's new team whose purpose is to destroy Soldats
-san – respectful suffix, good for any occasion
-chan – familiar suffix usually used for/by girls and/or close friends
-kun – familiar suffix usually used for/by boys and their peers
arigatou – thank you
hai – yes
'Nee-san (Onee-san) – older sister
gomen - sorry
Please review and/or send questions, comments, and criticisms to rune_dreaming@yahoo.com! It is all greatly appreciated!
Copyright (C) 2003 by Dark Rune. All rights reserved.