Notes: This is my attempt at a multi-chaptered Prince of Tennis romance. It will also be AU (Alternate Universe) so many things will be very different. Within the first chapter, it should become apparent what sort of setting the story takes place in, but I’ll give the basics now. It takes place sometime in the past, in Japan, when warlords were still battling for control of certain areas. If anyone would like to tell me what the name of this period is, I’d be very grateful. I can’t tell the Edo from the Meiji periods (or if those are time periods at all, I’m not well versed in Japanese history). But this story doesn’t focus on the setting as much as it focuses on the relationships between the characters. I hope you’ll do me a favor and do the same.

Warnings: Expect a lot of het romance (I can hear everyone gasping in shock or gagging in disgust right now), but also expect some yaoi thrown in. Expect some sex (occasionally violent and nonconsensual, and occasionally romantic) and some violence (not a whole lot here). Expect a lot of Tachibana An, Atobe, Kamio, and possibly Eji, Ryoma, and Fuji thrown into the mix. I’m writing as I go here, with only a few solid ideas, so I’m not sure what will happen. Your comments and suggestions could play a vital role in what happens, so please be sure to contact me if you like this! Onto chapter one!

Chapter One ~ Casting the Bait

Atobe Keigo sat quietly on the wooden floor, a low table fixed in front of him and several other men around it. Most were warlords like him, talking and debating on who claimed which lands and who had the most powerful army. It was a friendly meeting, despite the immortal animosity between these men, since it had been Atobe himself who called for it. Every year, a meeting was called by the Atobe clan, for all the warlords in the area. At this meeting, the lords could come together peacefully and have a chance to brag about their accomplishments, and then there was the fact that no one denied the Atobe clan, ever.

Keigo had only been the head of the family for two years now, since his sixteenth birthday, but had quickly proven himself to be just as powerful and ruthless as his predecessors. He owned many lands, and the largest army of any warlord in Japan. He had riches beyond the normal person’s wildest dreams. He had a harem full of both women and men, all dying for a chance to be with him for only a moment. But somehow, in the secret places of his heart, he felt a certain emptiness, a sense that his life was incomplete.

He looked to his companion, Jiroh, who had laid his head on the table and was sleeping peacefully. He reached over, dropping his hand on the other boy’s shoulder and gently shaking him awake. Jiroh yawned and looked up. “Something wrong, Atobe-sama?”

Keigo smiled very faintly. “No, but I think our guests could use some tea. Have one of the maids bring some out.”

Jiroh nodded sleepily and stood up. He disappeared into another room. Atobe scanned the faces around the table. It seemed someone was missing. Suddenly he remembered his old rivals, the Tachibana clan. Had they dared to skip this meeting? Surely they would not have that level of audacity.

A door slid open and four figures stepped in. Atobe’s faint smile of before morphed into a smirk. It was the head of the Tachibana clan, and three of his servants. Behind him were two boys, one with dark crimson hair and the other with long hair the color of plum. But what interested Atobe the most was the small, dainty young girl that trailed behind them.

The girl was slender, her kimono loose around the neckline and the sash tied very tightly in an attempt to keep it better placed on her form. Her skin was ivory, with light chestnut hair framing a pair of blue eyes. In a word, she was beautiful.

She sat down beside Tachibana, pulling out a paper fan and waving it in front of her face in long, slow motions. Her eyes moved across the room, finally falling upon Atobe and meeting his gaze. He did not blink, only smiled charmingly and laughed as a pink blush tinted her cheeks. He wondered who she was, and just how Tachibana had come to possess such a lovely creature.

Jiroh returned to Atobe’s side, followed by a servant girl presenting tea. Atobe leaned over to Jiroh. “You see the girl beside Tachibana?” he asked.

Jiroh nodded.

“Find out who she is.”

Jiroh nodded again, then got back up from the floor. Jiroh had an easy-going personality that made it seem natural for him to chat with others and ask questions. He was perfect for gathering information for the Atobe clan at social gatherings like this.

The evening wore on and Jiroh returned to his master, his face slightly drained of color. “She is Tachibana’s younger sister,” he told Atobe.

Atobe looked surprised, shifting his eyes reflexively back to the girl. “And her name?”

“An.”

“Tachibana An, what a delicious sound her name makes.”

Jiroh looked at his master curiously, but thought better of asking any questions. When Atobe spotted something he wanted, he had to have it, no matter the cost.

Atobe stood up from his position on the floor. “Jiroh, please tell Tachibana that I’d like to speak with him privately in the next room,” he said, running a hand through his silvery-violet hair as he walked to a door and slid it open, stepping inside.

Jiroh wasted no time. He approached Tachibana immediately and whispered his master’s request into the man’s ear. Tachibana nodded and stood, An behind him, and followed Jiroh to the room where Atobe awaited.

Atobe was sitting properly on the floor when the three of them walked in. Jiroh bowed to both of them before leaving the room. Tachibana and his sister took seats on the floor, across from Atobe. “To what do we owe this honor, Atobe-dono?” Tachibana asked.

Atobe smiled. “I understand that our clans have never been on the best of terms, and it has ultimately hurt the both of us. I’d like to make you a proposition, to unite our clans and make peace between us.” Atobe chose his words carefully. He knew Tachibana could read between the lines, so to speak. Atobe’s “proposition” would be a prettily worded demand that Tachibana would risk danger to deny.

Tachibana remained silent though, only nodding to signal he was interested.

Atobe glanced at An, who was staring at him intently. She was even more magnificent at close range, where the candlelight flickered off her eyes, giving her an eerie sort of beauty that nearly entranced him. He continued. “I have taken an interest in the lovely Lady Tachibana, and I assume that she is of age to marry. I propose that she come to stay in my household for one month. If she pleases me, I should wish to marry her, eternally uniting our clans. If not, she will be sent home safe and unharmed.”

Tachibana’s expression did not falter. He was a strong-willed man, one of the very rare few to deny the Atobe clan on occasion. “I will consider your proposal, but I need time to think it through.”

Atobe nodded. “You have the rest of the evening. Give me your answer by midnight.” With that, Atobe stood and left the room.

Tachibana turned to his sister, who was looking at him with wide eyes. “I told him I would think about it, but I want the decision to be yours. What do you think of his proposal, An?”

An looked down. “I don’t know… I want what’s best for the family… but…”

Tachibana took An’s face in his hands and lifted it up. “I won’t tell you what to do, An. No matter what you decide, I will support you in your decision.”

“If we refuse, Atobe will surely attack us later on. Are you willing to risk that?” An asked.

Her brother smiled. “Even if I knew he would crush our clan tomorrow, I wouldn’t tell you to do this.”

“But, it would be very beneficial to us, this union. Our family would prosper greatly, and all our generations to come would enjoy the fruits of our work now. Onii-sama, I truly want our clan to become strong and great. If this will accomplish that, then I will accept his offer.”

“But An, it will undoubtedly be unpleasant, this month of being with him outside of marriage.”

An smiled. “I know, I expect that. If it becomes too unbearable, I’ll send word for you to come get me, and we’ll call it off.”

“So you’ve decided then?”

An stood up and held out her hand to her brother. “For the sake of our clan, I’ll marry Atobe Keigo.”

The hours passed and Atobe watched as Tachibana and his sister walked out of the room and took their places by the table. They drank tea, talked to the other warlords, and seemed in fairly good spirits. He wondered what their answer would be, nearly choking on anticipation. Would she be his bride? Or would he have to take her by force? Either way, she would eventually be his. Something so fascinating couldn’t be wasted in the Tachibana clan. Atobe wouldn’t allow it.

Finally midnight came and the guests began to leave. When only the Tachibana clan was left, they approached Atobe. “Your decision?” Atobe asked, trying to hide his eagerness.

It was An who stepped forward. “I accept your proposal.”

The servant with dark red hair seemed to flinch slightly at her declaration, but said nothing. Tachibana himself was expressionless.

Atobe couldn’t conceal his joy. He grinned broadly and gestured for maids. Two appeared instantly by his side. “Prepare a room for Lady Tachibana at once, bathe her, give her fresh robes, and take her to her room.”

An stepped forward and the maids each gently took an arm and lead her away. Atobe turned to Tachibana. “Rest assured that she will be treated kindly. You’ve made the right decision.”

“She made the decision, not I,” Tachibana corrected.

Atobe’s smile became wider. The situation kept getting better and better. That beautiful little flower was all his, and she evidently wanted him as well. He nearly shivered in anticipation of the month ahead. He would take all he wanted from her, then toss her back to her family, used and worthless. It would truly be a fantasy come true, to have a Tachibana completely at his mercy, and a beautiful one at that.