This came out a little while ago, but I thought I would let the mayhem of #SGCF die down before reposting... đ. âŁâŁ âŁâŁ For all those who wonder, what does Vivian do? Well hopefully here are some answers. Thanks to the guys at @unjiggeredmedia for letting me waffle on about my story. Hope you enjoy it!âŁâŁ âŁâŁ đžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžđžâŁâŁ âŁâŁ New Episode is now live!âŁâŁ âŁâŁ In light of 50 Best Asia as well as Singapore Cocktail week, this time we chatted with Vivian Pei!âŁâŁ âŁâŁ Tune in to hear about her journey across the world and how eventually being a regular guest at bars led her to become an academy chair for Asia's 50 best bars!âŁâŁ âŁâŁ Link in bio!âŁâŁ âŁâŁ #SpecialtyCocktails #singapore #drinks #bar #barfly #mobarsg #mobar #nightlife #Bartender #InstaCocktail #FancyCocktails #BartenderLife #BarFam #BartendersLife #Bartenders #BartendersBeLike #michelemariotti #BartenderPodcast #CocktailPodcast #BartendersOfInstagram #Drinkstagram #cocktailrecipes #unjiggered #media #asia50bestbars #asia #Viviliciousxo (at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByALXBrnvQH/?igshid=nofk6k8jv7jk
Minoru Suzuki, IV stood under the black umbrella, no expression on his face as he stared at the closed copper casket that held the body of his father, Minoru Suzuki, III, kumichĆ of the Suzuki Crime Family of Japan. Well, former kumichĆ Minoru thought wryly.  With his fatherâs passing that title had now become his.  Rain fell around the mourners, puddles of water filling the dips and crevices of the expansive grass lawn of the cemetery.  Minoru could feel the eyeballs on him, already plotting to usurp the family while it was weak.  His lip twitched as he imagined the surprise they would be in for.  The family was going to be more powerful and prosperous than ever under his reign.  Minoru Suzuki the III had been complacent.  Minoru Suzuki, IV knew no such word. He was ambitious and ruthless.  Minoru knew his fatherâs kobun had already held meetings in the five days since his fatherâs assassination plotting to wrest power from Minoru or to put him under their control.  That would never happen, he would bathe in their blood before they owned him.  Little did they know Minoru was already prepared for this day.  He had his pieces in play with a group loyal to him and no other. Those kobun were going to be dead and gone before they knew what hit them.  This was going to his family.  He had no place for those who were not loyal to him. Â
They thought him too young and green to run the family.  Their rivals thought the family would crumble with the death of the kumichĆ.  They didnât realize Minoru had been trained for this day since he would could walk.  It mattered naught that he was only 17 years old.  He had been operating in the shadows since he was barely wet behind the ears.  Carried out more missions and had killed more people than most of those baka had.  They sat around letting others do their dirty work while they got fat and rich. Complacent.  Minoru sneered, there was that fucking word again. He hated it. Complacency had no place in their world.  You were complacent you ended up in a casket.  Just ask his father.Â
The casket lowered in the ground, rumbles of thunder sounding as if an ominous beacon. Â Minoru saw it as a different kind of omen. Â The omen of a new beginning and the ending of an old chapter. Â Minoru had a different vision for his family. No longer would positions be passed to someone based solely on blood. Â His family would be family by choice, not blood. Â It would be a difficult and time-consuming task, but in the end, Minoru knew it would only increase their reach. Â Through the years he had seen too many betrayals by so-called family. Â There was no loyalty and that made him sick. Â
Minoru stepped forward with his mother, Asako, clasping his forearm, tossing a black rose onto the roof of the casket followed by a handful of dirt.  His mother sobbed, clutching her rose to her chest as she whispered words of love to the body below.  His sister, Chie, stepped forward with her Nanī following the actions of her mother and throwing her flower onto the casket. Chie was young, only 12 years old.  She didnât understand exactly what had happened.  All she knew was that the father she rarely saw was dead.  Tears streamed down her young face as she was led away, followed by Minoru and his mother.  Passing by his best friend Yoshinobu Kanemaru on the way out Minoru met his eyes and give an imperceptible nod.  Yoshinobu remained stoic giving no indication of the signal, but Minoru knew he had received it.  The two had been friends since they were toddlers.  They had grown up next door to each other and had recognized kindred spirits.  If the Suzuki family had their way someone like Yoshinobu would have no place in their ranks, except for maybe as a lowly foot soldier.  He would never rise because he wasnât blood. Â
Pressing a kiss to her cheek Minoru handed his other off into her town car along with his sister and her companion. Â He would see them later at the wake. Â For now he had a meeting to attend. Â Perhaps it was disrespectful to his father to conduct business immediately following his funeral, but time was of the essence. Â He had to be the one to strike first and strike definitively. Â
Climbing behind the wheel of his 1994 Mercedes-Benz 240D Minoru drove through the outskirts of Tokyo to the little restaurant he had been having meetings with his men for the past year. Â After three attempts on his fatherâs life Minoru had realized it was only a matter of time before his old man met his untimely demise. Â So he had begun planning and setting things in motion for his eventual takeover. Â Parking his car around the back, Minoru walked through the rear door and into the back room they congregated at. Â Food had already been set out along with a bottle of Takeda Katafune Daiginjo Sake with one cup. Â
Minoru took his seat at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair and thinking of the changes that were about to come into his life. Â It was sooner than anticipated, but Minoru was a firm believer in destiny. Â His time had come and he was ready to embrace it. With his hand selected men, nothing was going to stop his family. Â Hearing vehicles pull up outside the restaurant Minoru sat forward, pulling the ceremonial knife he had brought for the occasion from his interior jacket pocket and laying it on the table next to the Sake cup. Â
Yoshinobu Kanemaru was the first to enter, nodding his head in greeting to Minoru the sixteen-year-old took his seat at Minoruâs right side. Â The two remained silent, the solemnity of the occasion echoing through the room. Â This was a massive undertaking they were spearheading and honestly it was a bit nerve-wracking. Â They would be fools not to feel apprehensive, and that was not a word that could be used to describe any of these men. Â
Taichi Ishikari presented in the doorway next, his ever-present sneer on his face as he joined the men he considered two of his closest friends. Â The fifteen-year-old assumed his seat to Minoruâs left, grabbing some tempura and biting into it. Â Taichi was at home here. Â His father owned the restaurant and had forced Taichi to work here since he was 5. Day in, day out Taichi had to spend every free hour slaving away as either a waiter or dishwasher for his father. At night he had to stay behind and clean for hours, so the business would be ready to open in the morning. Â His father allowed them to use this room, but Taichi paid dearly for the honor. Â Revenge on behalf of his good friend was one of the first items on Minoruâs orders of business. Â He, Yoshi and Taichi had grown extremely close over the past few years and Minoru abhorred the way Taichi was treated by his father. Â Taichiâs father had no idea what occurred during these meetings, but he provided food and liquor for the boys and extracted the cost through Taichi later. Â Despite Minoruâs best efforts, Taichi refused to let them move locations. Â No one would ever think to look here for the boys, it was safe. He would suffer for his friends. Â
Takahasi Iizuka barreled through the door, running late as always. Â He never could manage to arrive anywhere on time. Â Slouching down in the seat the 19-year-old greeted his friends, eyes darting nervously around the room. Â Iizuka had mixed feeling about the death of Minoru Suzuki, III. Â The man had taken him in when he had run away from an abusive situation, so Iizuka felt a certain kinship with him for that, but he had been thrown into the family business as a henchman, given no choice but the fight or the family. Â If he had the choice, he would have done it freely, but Iizuka wasnât given an option and for that he held a grudge. Â Minoru on the other hand had his complete loyalty. Â From the start Minoru had treated him as family and lobbied against his own father on his behalf. Â Minoru backed Iizuka up and never asked for anything in return. Â In addition to his duties with the family Iizuka had been training since he was 14 with the younger man in preparation for this day. Â
âThank you all for coming here today.â Â Minoru spoke, bringing the meeting to order. Â âI recognize this is earlier than we anticipated, but I have no doubts that we are ready. Â Each of us will take the oath binding us to each other and the Suzuki Guns family. Â We will take what is rightfully ours and destroy those who stand in our way. Â Our way will lead us to success and prosperity.â He looked each of his friends, soon to be brothers in the eyes before grabbing the Sake and glass and filling it. Â
Rising to his feet Minoru shucked his jacket and undid his cufflinks, rolling the white long sleeve up past his elbow and grabbing the ceremonial knife. Â
âI, Minoru Suzuki, IV, pledge my life and my honor to this family.  Henceforth known as the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  My loyalty is to this family and no other.  My men will come before all others.  I accept my position as kumicho. Bond before blood.â  Minoru spoke solemnly and dragged the knife down his arm, letting his blood drip into the cup of Sake.  Wrapping a bandage around his arm Minoru turned to Yoshinobu.
âYoshinobu Kanemaru, I hereby name you saiko komon of the Suzuki Gunz.  You will serve as my counsel and my confidant.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
Yoshi rose to his feet and accepted the knife from Minoru after rolling up his own sleeves.
âI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  My loyalty is to this family and no other.  My men will come before all others.  I accept my position as saiko komon.  Bond before blood.â  Yoshi pledged, slicing open his arm and dripping his own blood into the cup.  Resuming his seat Yoshi quietly bandaged his arm, watching as Minoru continued the ceremony.
âTaichi Ishikari, I hereby name you so-honbucho of the Suzuki Gunz.  You will serve in my stead in my absence.  Where I am not able or available to issue directive, so shall you.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru asked.
Taichi nodded pulling up his sleeve. Â Taking the knife from Minoru he stood with it pressed to his skin, right at the start of a scar put there by his father. Â
âI, Taichi Ishikari, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  My loyalty is to this family and no other.  My men will come before all others.  I accept my position as so-honbucho.  Bond before blood.â  Taichi said grinning as he split open the scar dragging the knife along it.  If he was going to have a scar, it was going to be one that brings him pride. Â
âTakahasi Iizuka, I hereby name you wakagashira of the Suzuki Gunz crime Family.  You will serve as head of our kobun.  You will be responsible for the safety and security of our family.  Do you accept this designation?â  Minoru asked.
Without hesitation Iizuka rose and responded.
âI, Takahasi Iizuka, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  My loyalty is to this family and no other.  My men will come before all others.  I accept my position as wakagashira.  Bond before blood.â  The knife sliced open his arm and they all watched as the last memberâs blood fell into the cup.
Lifting the cup and swirling it Minoru looked at each of the three men. Â âI couldnât ask for better men for this undertaking. Â Our age is not a deterrent, but an asset. Â We will change this family for the better. Make it stronger. Â Make it richer. Â Make it respected. Â We will own Japan.â Minoru pronounced bringing the goblet to his mouth and swallowing a mouthful of the sake mixed with each of their blood. Â
The goblet was passed around to each of the men, each taking a deep swallow before the cup was placed back on the table. Â
Minoru reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a long black jewelry box and placing it on the table. Â The other three crowded around as he opened it, revealing four rings with a symbol reading Suzuki Gunz inlaid in black and white diamonds. Â
âYoshi, Taichi, Iizuka, welcome to my family.â Minoru said handing each of them a ring before sliding his own on his finger.  âAnd welcome to the new era of Suzuki Gunz.âÂ
Japanese translations: Â
Baka  - idiot or morons
Kobun â underlings
KumichĆ â Boss
Nanī -nanny
so-honbucho â underboss, second in command
saiko komon â senior advisor â like consigliere in American mafia
Warnings:Â Language, domestic violence, nonconsensual sex, choking, very trigger heavy chapter, read with caution
CHAPTER 15
March 4, 2003
Bushi slid into the driverâs seat of his white Ferrari 360 Modena and fired it up before reaching for his laptop. Punching into his network on the dark web Bushi pulled up the information he had gathered on Minoruâs mother, Asako Suzuki. Finding her credit card information he entered into a tracking website. As he waited for the results Bushi drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. He didnât know why this chit thought she could run. Minoru owned this city. Did she really think she could escape his reach? Bushi was counting on Chie being stupid enough to use her motherâs credit cards in her grand escape. Given that his mother was complacent in the escape Bushi was rather confident she would help her daughter in any way she could. If they were smart they would have used paper money. He wasnât counting on that. Not given their actions thus far.
A ping alerted him to the end of his search. Pulling the laptop close he perused the results, making notes of where Chie had been in the past few days and marking down the hotel she was staying in. The most recent charge was from about thirty minutes ago for room service. Bushi would bet his last dollar that was where Chie was holed up. If he could get there quickly, he had an easy in.Â
Shifting into drive Bushi sped away from the house, tearing through the streets towards Chieâs hotel. Once he arrived he pulled into a parking space near the rear of the hotel. Thanks to the card charge Bushi had Chieâs room number and quickly snuck inside the hotel and ducked into the first menâs room he ran across. Pulling off his mask Bushi tucked it into his pocket then pulled his comb out of his suit jacket inner pocket. Slicking back his hair and making sure every strand stayed in place he then exited the bathroom and headed towards the elevators.
Avoiding the view of the stationary camera in the elevator Bushi slunk along the wall pressing a device to the control panel that would override the floor security which would allow him to get to the penthouse suite where Chie was staying.  When the elevator signaled his arrival Bushi grabbed his little box from the control panel and stepped out into the plush lobby area. Â
Leaning against the wall Bushi glanced at his watch, wondering if he had missed the room service attendant or if he was early. Deciding to wait ten more minutes before finding another way into the suite Bushi pushed off the wall and removed his jacket and button down shirt throwing them on the table next him and leaving him in his grey suit pants and a white tank top before resuming his position against the wall.  He could hear loud pulsing music from the hotel room seeping through the walls and grinned. That would only serve to further his purpose. Â
Hearing the elevator rising up the shaft Bushi moved to the door of the hotel room turning to glance at the elevator over his shoulder.
The attendant bowed respectfully to Bushi asking if heâd like the cart set up for him.Â
Bushi grinned and shook his head.
âMy wifeâs not decent at the moment.â Bushi said. âIâll take it in.â With another bow the attendant re-entered the elevator. As soon as the doors were closed Bushi knocked. âRoom service.â He called.Â
The door opened and Bushi pushed in to see Chieâs back as she walked towards what he assumed was the bedroom.Â
âJust put it by the table and go.â Chie ordered before disappearing.Â
Instead Bushi left the cart right where it was closing the door behind him and locking the chain.  Pulling his tank top over his head Bushi made his way after Chie clutching the shirt in one hand. Pausing to the side of the doorway Bushi caught site of Chie removing her robe revealing a silky babydoll nightgown that barely grazed the bottom of her ass. Adjusting his hardening groin with one hand Bushi ducked back as Chie exited the bedroom.Â
As soon as she was in front of him Bushi sprang, looping his tank top over her neck and yanking it hard to bring her back against his chest. His cock grew stiffer with her struggles, her ass rubbing against him as she kicked at him while her fingers clawed at the shirt around her neck. After a moment her movements grew disoriented, her hands falling to her sides and her kicks becoming jerkier.Â
Loosening the shirt to allow Chie to get some air Bushi dragged her back into the bedroom and tossed her carelessly onto the bed. Chie scrambled to the headboard, clutching her throat and sucking in air as she stared frightfully at the half naked man who had accosted her.
âYou shouldnât have ran.â Bushi said tossing the tank top over his shoulder then unfastening his pants and dropping them to the ground. By the time she thought to scream it was too late, Bushi was on top of her, wrapping that shirt around her neck and pulling it tight again, choking her scream off as a gasp.  âWhere did you think you were going to go? You have an obligation to your family. You have embarrassed your brother and future husband with this little stunt.âÂ
Chie shook her head frantically in denial, eyes bulging as she struggled to take in any little air. Â
Disregarding her protests Bushi nudged apart her legs keeping one hand firmly on his shirt as he ripped off Chieâs panties. Panic flew through Chie and she lashed out at the man on top of her, fingernails raking down the side of his face and punching at his chest.Â
Bushi winced as her nails left a stinging path down his cheek, grabbing her hands and pinning them over her head in one of his before backhanding her twice across the face. Throwing aside his shirt Bushi wrapped his hand around her throat and squeeze enjoying the feel of her throat contracting under his fist. Nudging her legs apart he lined himself up with her and shoved in, reveling in the scream that tried to tear its way from her throat.Â
âNot even a virgin. Fucking yariman.â Bushi huffed.Â
When he was done Bushi rolled off Chieâs crying form, casually redressing before moving to her luggage and pulling out a dress for her to way.Â
âHurry up. You have a wedding to get to.â Bushi said sharply. âUnless youâd rather go for round two?â He chuckled as Chie got dressed in record time, keeping a safe distance from him as he watched her get ready. She didnât bother with makeup. Maybe her brother would see what his asshole associate had done to her he would kill him. She was certain he would when he found out he had raped her. Hugging herself Chie followed the blonde man out of the suite huddling by the elevator as he put on his button down shirt and jacket.Â
Turning her back to the camera Bushi held Chie against his chest, his hand resting on the back of her hair as the elevator descended. Retracing his earlier steps Bushi led Chie to his car and secured her in the passenger seat.Â
The ride was silent, Chie plastering herself to the passenger door to get as far away from this psychopath she was stuck with as possible while Bushi texted Evil he was on the way back and requesting he come grab Bushiâs wayward bride and take her inside while Bushi made a quick run back home. Pulling in front of the house Evil was waiting, dark sunglasses on as usual as he leaned against the column on the front porch.Â
The car was barely stopped before Evil was pulling the door open, yanking Chie out and slinging her over his shoulder and marching to the front door as Bushi took off again.
Evil entered the living area where everyone was gathered and unceremoniously dumped Chie on the floor with a loud thump before joining Sanada on the couch.Â
Minoru rose from his seat and circled around his sister chronicling the bruising on her face, her bloody split lip, the ligature marks around her neck, his face never changing expression as he squatted down below her.Â
âWhy would you think running was a good idea Chie?â Minoru asked his voice deceptively soft as he reached out to grab a handful of her hair, twisting her neck back to look up at him. âYouâve brought shame to our family with this little stunt.âÂ
âYour little goon raped me Minoru!â Chie yelled tears filling her eyes. âYou just going to let him get away with that? Iâm your fucking sister!âÂ
âIâm going to consider it the price he gets to reap for hunting you down. And quite expeditiously I might add.â Minoru said rising to his feet and pulling Chie up along with him. âNow go clean yourself up. I donât want to hear another word from you besides I do.â Minoru pushed her away from him with a sneer. âLance, go make sure she doesnât attempt to run again.â  Lance stood and followed Chie down the hallway while the rest of the men conversed, feeling each other out as they waited for this final union of their families.Â
âBushiâs on his way back.â Naito said several moments later as he received a text from the masked man. âLetâs get this show on the road.â
By the time everyone had made it back to the study where the officiant was waiting Bushi had made his appearance, dressed in a new suit given his previous one had become a wrinkled mess and a black and gold mask. Â
Minoru stood next to Chie serving as a silent warning that she better behave as Bushi stood across from her with a cold smile and colder eyes. Having only seen him unmasked Chie had no inclination this was the same man from the hotel, but he terrified her nonetheless. Â
Rings were placed and vows were spoken and Chie was handed off to Bushi who led her to the yellow Porsche he had arrived in.Â
âStay.â He commanded closing her into the car and walking up to speak with Minoru.
âI must say Iâm a bit disappointed I donât have a virginal bride to deflower.â Bushi commented as he shook Minoruâs hand.
âI think thatâs your fault for taking it before the wedding.â Minoru said archly.
âOh she wasnât a virgin when I took her.â Bushi said. âFar from it. But Iâm still willing to accept her. Used goods and all.â He chuckled and slapped Minoru on the shoulder before walking around his car and sliding in.Â
âDonât touch me.â Chie growled when Bushiâs hand left the shifter to rest on her thigh during a straight stretch of road. âIâve had enough touching today.â She said bitterly, voice shaking with unshed tears.
âYouâre my wife. Iâll touch you whenever I want.â Bushi snapped giving her thigh a harsh squeeze before returning his attention to the road.Â
Twenty minutes later they arrived at Bushiâs home on the outskirts of Tokyo, driving into his underground garage and parking next to the white Ferrari he had driven earlier. Chie froze as she climbed out of the car, panic rising in her throat as she eyed the vehicle. She had thought he worked for Minoru, but perhaps he worked for Bushi. Bile rose in her throat as thought of being trapped in a home with two men who seemed to have no qualms about taking what they want from her.Â
âWhen will my stuff be brought over?â Chie asked as Bushi grabbed her by the arm and began pulling her up the stairs towards his bedroom.Â
âItâs not. You had the opportunity to come peacefully with all your belongings. You chose option B.â Bushi smirked at her, his slick black lips sending chills through her. âMaybe you can come up with some way to earn a few things. Though Iâm not going to complain if youâre naked all the time.âÂ
Bushi pushed her ahead of him into the bedroom with sharply issued command to strip while Bushi undressed himself and slid his mask off. He sighed in annoyance when he turned around and she still stood fully dressed staring down at the bed.Â
âDo I really have to remind you how nasty things get when you donât behave?â He asked coming up behind her and placing a hand around her throat pulling her against his body as he tightened the fingers minutely.  Chie gasped ripping away from him and falling onto the bed in her haste to escape.
âItâs you!â She yelled accusingly, seeing the face from her earlier nightmare looming over the end of the bed. âThat was you in the hotel room?âÂ
âYouâre just figuring that out?â Bushi said rolling his eyes. âGood thing youâre pretty cause youâre not too bright.â His smile dropped as he looked at her still clothed form. âGet undressed now. If I have to take them off you really will be walking around naked.â Â
Shoulders slumping Chie grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head followed by her undergarments.Â
âGet on all fours.â Bushi said climbing onto the bed. Chie obeyed burying her head in the pillow to muffle her cries as her new husband took her from behind without care sweat dripping onto her back from his brow as he rutted behind her.
The past three days had been a whirlwind. Hours upon hours upon hours spent in Minoruâs study with Los Ingobernables, hashing out the details of the gun trade as well as the implications of the marriages between the families. Â As Minoru had assured his family the Ingobernables had no interest in stepping into any kind of role with the Guns. Â They preferred to stay in the shadows and handling their arms smuggling operation which stretched across most of the Eastern Hemisphere. Â It kept them rather busy and they had no desire to expand into other territories. Â However, they were willing to lend their services should they be required. Â
There was haggling and arguing back and forth over pricing as well as the amount of arms Suzuki Gun would receive. Â Naito was also insistent that the Guns be trained to his satisfaction before receiving their weapons, pointing to Evil as their weapons specialist to handle the training. Â
âis this really necessary?â Davey asked in annoyance. Â âHow hard is it? Â You point and shoot.â Â
Evil fixed him with an icy glare. Â
âWeâre not going to let you run around like idiots and bring attention to yourselves. Â Itâs not quite as easy as you think it is. Â I will teach you and you will learn. Â Or Iâll kill you all.â Â Evil said evenly.
Once again shouts erupted from the Guns as they threatened Evil as the man stared back nonplussed.
âCalm down.â Naito said holding his hand up. âNobody is going to kill anybody. Weâre family now. Â Right Evil?â
Evil grunted with a slight nod, leaning back in his seat with a wide yawn. Â
âSpeaking of family.â Â Desperado spoke up. Â âSince we are now can I ask Bushi something?â Â He couldnât help but be fascinated by the other masked man. Â LIJ were secretive to an extreme and Suzuki Gun was on the wrong side of the information track. Â LIJ seemed to know everything about them while the Guns were grasping at any thread they could pick up. Â
Bushi nodded with a smirk on his black painted lips locking Desperado in his gaze as he waited for the question he already knew was coming. Â
âWhy do you wear the mask?â Â Desperado asked gesturing towards Bushiâs intricately decorated mask. Â The third such different one heâd worn in the three days they had known each other. âOr masks I guess I should say.â Â
âSo, I can do what I do unnoticed. Â No one knows who I am or what I look like. Â In the streets with no mask Iâm just another nobody.â Â Bushi said with a shrug. Â
âSince weâre family and all do we get be graced with your beauty?â Â Lance taunted making Bushi roll his eyes and reach for the laces on the back of his mask, loosening them and pulling off the mask revealing his face to the Guns as a show of trust. Â
âDamn,â said Lance with a disappointed chuckle. âI was hoping youâd be ugly.â Â
âFuck you.â Bushi said succinctly to Lance, running his fingers through his dyed blonde hair in an attempt to brush back the flyaway locks. âTurnabouts fair play Desperado, brother, why do you wear your mask?â
âOooh is there something the Ingos donât know?â Zack said with a grin casting a worried glance at Despy. Â
âItâs fine Zack.â Desperado said reaching for the laces on his own mask. Â
âThis is why I wear the mask.â He told Bushi as he removed the vinyl material revealing his face to LIJ. Â He held his chin high, pride refusing to let him cower beneath their stares as they took in the deep scarring over his face. Â
âStill want me to marry your sister pretty boy?â He asked Sanada with a sneer, the only one who didnât change his expression one iota as he took in the mess that had been left of Desperadoâs face. Â
âI really donât give a fuck.â Â Sanada said speaking his first words in the presence of the Guns. âOnce you put a ring on her finger the bitch is yours.â Â That brought a smile to Desperadoâs face surprised at the easy acceptance. Â Sliding the mask back on his tightened the laces as Bushi re-secured his own mask.
âSpeaking of, look whoâs here,â Naito said with a grin as Sanadaâs sister Kyo appeared in the doorway on the arm of her escort. âKyo, come meet your husband to be.â Â
Naito grabbed her by the elbow and shooed off the escort bringing the beautiful young girl to Desperadoâs side.
âDesperado this is Sanadaâs sister Kyo. Kyo, meet Desperado.â Naito introduced the two, watching Kyo carefully to make sure she was going to walk the line as she bowed her head in greeting to Desperado and spoke niceties in her soft voice. Â He neednât have worried, Kyo would never dare disrespect her brother in his wishes. She had known for a long time that she would not be granted a marriage of love but would rather be used as a pawn. Â
âWeâve produced ours Minoru, now where is Bushiâs bride?â Â Naito said leaving Kyoâs side as Desperado sat and pulled her down into his lap hands tight on her hips. Â Minoru frowned looking at his watch. Â 11:30. They should have been here by now. Â His fists clenched as he reached for his cellphone, dialing his motherâs house.
âWhere the fuck is Chie?â he shouted as soon as it was answered. Â âShe is supposed to be here.â Â His face turned red with rage as he listened to the voice on the other end. âGone? Â What do you mean sheâs gone? Â Where the fuck is she?â Â Minoru ran his fingers through his hair as he listened to babbled excuses. âWhy am I just now hearing about this?â He yelled shutting the man up. Â âYou tell my mother I will deal with her later.â Â
âYou lost your sister?â Â Hiromu asked with a giggle, unable to contain his laughter. âYour wife ran away on you Bushi.â Hiromu slapped his knee as he found this whole situation hilarious. Â âThe runaway bride.â Â
Minoru swallowed his anger and turned to face the Ingos, who, except for Hiromu, looked rather displeased with him.
âWe upheld our end of the bargain Suzuki.â Naito said angrily. Â âWhat kind of shit are you trying to pull?â Â Tension filled the room as the men on both sides rose squaring off in the center of the room. Â
âCalm down everyone.â Minoru said waving off his men. âThis isnât anything on our end. My mother,â He said distastefully. âFailed to tell me my sister ran off after I visited her and informed her of her upcoming marriage. Â Itâs an egregious oversight on my part and I take full blame.â Â As angry as he was, Minoru knew the fault fell on him. Â He had made a deal and was failing to fulfill his end of the bargain. Â âIâll send my men out and we will find her.â
âNo.â Â Bushi spoke up. Â âIâll find her. After all, she is my bride.â Â Bushi stared challengingly at Minoru until he nodded in concession. âGood. Â Now letâs get Desperado hitched and then Iâll go search for the lovely Chie.â Â
âLet me guess. Â You already know what she looks like.â Â Taichi asked resignation tinging his tone as Naito smiled and nodded. Of course they did. Â He really didnât expect anything less at this point.
Calling in the officiant the new couple stood in front of him and recited their vows, Kyoâs voice trembling as she promised herself to a man she had just met. Â She cast unsure eyes at her brother as the officiant sought those two binding words from her, shrinking back as she met his hard-expectant eyes. Â
âI do.â She whispered sealing her fate as they were declared man and wife when Desperado slid the massive diamond ring on her finger. Â Her eyes squeezed shut as Desperado pulled her to his body, burying his tongue in her unresponsive mouth, his grip growing tighter as he sensed her hesitation. Â
âI think itâs time for me and my wife to get to know each other.â Â Desperado said as he broke the kiss. âCome find me when itâs time for Bushiâs wedding.â With those words he pulled her from the room towards the stairs leading to his room on the second floor. Â
âDonât let him go anywhere,â Bushi said pointing at the officiant. âI plan on getting married today.â Â
The two groups watched Bushi stride purposefully out of the study utter confidence in every step he took. Watching him leave there was no doubt in the room that Bushi would bring Chie back home.Â
âThis is not the best start to our allegiance.â Hiromu said. Â âIf this is how you run your family how can we have confidence in your ability to run an organization?â Â
âHiromu stop being a dick.â Â Naito said with a roll of his eyes. âWe wouldnât be here if we werenât well aware of how well they run an organization. Â Stop causing trouble, we have enough going on today.â Hiromu jutted out his lower lip crossing his arms over his chest as he pouted. Â
âWe should warn you Suzuki-san,â Naito said. âJust so you can be prepared, your sister is probably not going to be brought back in the best of conditions by Bushi.â Â
âI thought Evil was the one I should be concerned with?â Minoru said looking at the perpetually angry big man. Â âThough at the moment Iâm wishing I had selected him as I would happily turn my errant sister over to him. Â Whatever that might mean.â Â
âIâve got to ask.â Davey said. Â âWhy the warnings for Evil?â Â Evil found himself the center of attention as all the present Guns turned to him. Â
âEvil has certain, proclivities.â  Naito said vaguely, leaving it to Evil to decide if he wished to elaborate. Â
âI have a dungeon.â Â Evil said bluntly. Â âI like to torture and hurt. Â And I like to play with knives and make women bleed.â Â
âDonât forget the drinking blood part.â Â Hiromu reminded him helpfully.
âFor the hundredth time, I donât drink the blood Hiro,â Â Evil said in exasperation. Â âI taste it. Like a fine wine.â He smirked as looks ranging from fascination to disgust filled the faces of the Guns. Â
âWeâre getting off track.â Â Naito said before the conversation delved further away. Â âI would like your assurances that no matter the condition your sister is returned here in that it wonât adversely affect our relationship.â Â He stared at Minoru expectantly. Â
âEven though its not official yet, she belongs to Bushi.â  Minoru decreed. âI will not interfere in how he chooses to punish his bride.âÂ
âObviously our relationship is tenuous at best,â Naito admitted as he strolled casually around Minoruâs conference table. The two groups had gone underground to Minoruâs meeting room which was located just down the hall from his office and the room where the kobun met. âWe need something to tie us together and cement us as family.âÂ
âWhat exactly are you proposing?â Kanemaru asked skeptically following the manâs movements around the room.Â
âAn answer as old as time.â Naito said flashing a grin. âMarriage.âÂ
Shouts erupted from the Guns filling the room with their contentious responses to his proposition. Â
âQuiet.â Minoru shouted making a hush immediately fall over the room. âYou do realize we are rather in a time crunch donât you? How to you propose we pull off a marriage and all it entails when weâre gearing up for a war. We need guns yesterday. Not months from now.âÂ
âMarriages Suzuki-san. Plural.â Naito said with a grin. âWe marry one of yours. You marry one of ours. As for the time frame, there will be no big weddings. One officiant, two brides, two grooms. Weâve told you Minoru, we are ghosts and we plan on staying that way. There will be no big weddings or announcements or anything of the sort.âÂ
âArranged marriages are a bit antiquated arenât they?â Iizuka asked. âThis seems rather, barbaric.âÂ
âWe are barbaric men.â Hiromu said with a lackadaisical shrug of his shoulder. âThis is kill or be killed for your family. You wish to strengthen our bond and get your greedy little hands on our guns, then you meet our terms.âÂ
âJust who are you proposing gets married?â Taichi asked Naito who looked at Sanada who gave an almost imperceptible nod to his leader.
âSanada has a sister. Sheâs young and hot and knows her place. Of course as she is his little sister Sanada gets the ultimate approval.â Naito said. âAs for our side same rules apply.âÂ
The two groups separated, the Guns moving over to their conference room to discuss Naitoâs proposal.Â
âI know this is a rather unexpected development,â Minoru told his men as they sat around the table. âBut I canât deny that it is the quickest way to seal our families together. Things will remain as they are, none of them will be joining our kobun.â He reassured them. âI believe Naito wishes to keep his family off the radar and will stay out of our way. Do you agree Taichi?âÂ
Taichi lit a cigar and took a deep drag off it blowing the smoke towards the ceiling as he contemplated his response.Â
âIt makes sense.â He finally said. âIf they were just wanting our side to commit Iâd be a little more concerned, but they seem to be making effort to equalize things.â He took another drag. âAnd at the end of the day they have the upper hand. They have the guns we want and it seems there is no other way to get it then to go through the Ingobernables.âÂ
âDoes everyone agree?â Minoru asked, looking at his men one by one and gaining their tacit approval for this undertaking.
âThatâs settled then. Now the hard part. Whose sister is on the table?â Taichi said leaning back in his chair and looking over the table.Â
âChie is really the only choice.â Minoru said speaking of his sister. âTaichi doesnât have one, Lance and Davey have no family, Taka has no family, Desperado has no family, and Zackâs is estranged. Would have to be either Chie or Nobuâs sister. Or Iizukaâs though sheâs a bit old.â
âYou sure about giving over your sister?â Kanemaru asked. âMight need her for later negotiations.âÂ
âNo, MiSuâs right.â Taichi said. âThis is the strongest allegiance we need. We need those guns. Thatâs our future.âÂ
âAlright so weâre turning over Chie.â Iizuka said. âWhoâs getting hitched? And donât you dare say you Minoru.â He said sternly. âThey donât get the boss.â Minoruâs protests died on his lips as he saw the mutinous expressions on the faces of his family giving a reluctant nod of agreement.
âIâll do it.â Taka said. âItâs my fault weâre in this mess.â
Various chorus of denial and exclamations of itâs not your fault rang out.
âNot happening Taka.â Minoru said firmly. âYouâre not ready for marriage just yet.â Â
âBetter pick someone whoâs going to meet pretty boyâs standards.â Lance said with a laugh. âI mean does nobody find it odd theyâre going to be marrying the sister of a guy who hasnât spoken a single word in the time weâve known him?â
âLetâs not worry about that right now Lance.â Minoru said.Â
âIâll marry her. I mean sheâs gotta be hot. Look at her brother.â Desperado said with a smirk. Minoru nodded in acceptance of his offer, casting his glance around the table for any other volunteers.Â
âIâll step up. Give pretty boy some options.â Kanemaru said with a smirk.
âYou know Iâll do it for you.â Taichi added.Â
Decisions made the Guns filed back to where LIJ were waiting. Naito leaning back in his chair, eyes closed as if catching a nap while Bushi and Hiromu sat on either side of him carrying out a hushed conversation around him.  Evil and Sanada sat silently next to each other, eyeing the Guns as they entered and took their seats.Â
Naito lowered his arms, eyes opening and looking at Minoru.
âMy sister Chie is our offering.â Minoru said smirking as he made the generally unflappable Naito look surprised, which he quickly covered.
âOkay. Pick whoever you want. Weâre all on the table.â Naito said. âThough I would suggest avoiding Evil if you care for your sisterâs wellbeing in the slightest.â Naito grinned at Evil who simply smirked in response as the rest of them shared knowing smiles.Â
Minoru templed his fingers looking over the Ingobernables. He honestly didnât care. His sister was little more than an accessory in his life. Never seeing her more often than every couple of months. He could thank his father for that. Minoru had never formed an emotional connection with either his mother or sister. His gaze lingered on Sanada for a moment before moving on. The man was already giving up his sister, he would let him be. Â
âBushi.â Minoru pronounced after several long moments of introspection. Bushi nodded in acceptance.  âOn our end theyâve decreed Iâm off limits but anyone else is available to you. Desperado, Kanemaru and Taichi have all volunteered.â
âIâm agreeable to Desperado. Marry off both our masked men.â Naito said. âSanada?  Does that suit you?â Sanada looked up from his phone heaving a sigh of annoyance at having been interrupted. Nodding without even glancing in Desperadoâs direction making Naito laugh. âDonât know why I bothered to ask. He doesnât give a shit.âÂ
As one Los Ingobernables rose to their feet and headed towards the doorway.
âWeddings will be in three days. 12:00 here.â Naito said as they walked out. âHope you donât mind if we borrow your car to get home Taka. No hard feelings.â He laughed as they walked out of Minoruâs home and in to the crisp night air.
The next morning Minoru woke early, enjoying a peaceful breakfast while his family slept in the home around him. He had a feeling this little interlude was going to be his only peace for a while. Pushing aside his plates Minoru grabbed his jacket and headed to his car.  In the fifteen minute ride to his motherâs home, which up until a few years ago had been his home, Minoru contemplated the reactions he was going to get from both his mother and sister when he imparted the news. His mother he was rather sure was going to accept his decision. It was the way she was raised and she had been in an arranged marriage with his father, so she knew the way things were. His sister was a wild card. He didnât know her that well, hadnât bothered to spend much time with her. The two were practically strangers.Â
As soon as he was inside Minoru accepted the barrage of affection his mother laid on him with a grimace, letting her kiss his cheek and hug him until he disengaged and stepped away his discomfort clearly evident.
âOh Minoru, what your father did to you I will never forgive.â Asako lamented shaking her head sadly.
âWeâre not discussing this. I need to see Chie.â Minoru said shortly straightening his jacket.Â
âWhy Chie?â Asako asked, her heart sinking as she realized the implication of his words. âNo Minoru. You canât do this.â She said softly, casting pleading eyes at her son.
âJust get her.â Minoru demanded heading towards the study. Â
He was sipping from a tumbler of scotch when Chie made her appearance. Minoru ran a critical gaze over her frowning at her trendy jeans with holes ripped up the legs to her crotch and a crop top that was revealing entirely too much cleavage.Â
âOkaa-san said you needed to see me.â Chie said flopping down in the chair across from Minoru without invitation making him frown.Â
âYou look like a stripper.â He said coldly. If she was under his care she would never be so blatantly disrespectful he thought as she rolled her eyes and flipped him off. His mother was weak allowing her to behave and dress like this. This marriage would only benefit her. He had a feeling Bushi was not the type to allow his wife to run wild.Â
âAre you a virgin?â He asked making her gasp and blush.
âHow dare you Minoru! Thatâs none of your business.â Chie shouted started to rise and run from the room.Â
âIt is my business.â He snapped. âNow sit down and shut up.â Chie felt chilled as Minoru stared at her coldly, challenging her to not listen to him. Hesitantly she sat watching her brother as he drank. âIn three days you will be married. My driver will pick you up at 11:00 to drive you to my home where you will marry to secure a family allegiance.âÂ
âYou have got to be fucking kidding me!â Chie shouted forgetting her fear and pushing out of her chair. âI donât belong to you Minoru. You canât order me around. I donât give a fuck what kind of badass mob boss you think you are.âÂ
Fury burned through his veins as she carried on and Minoru stalked around the desk backing Chie across the study until her back hit the wall. His hand wrapped around her throat and he squeezed threateningly.Â
âYou will do as youâre told.â  Minoru hissed. âYou will be ready when my driver gets here. You will be pretty and compliant. Do you understand?â Chie nodded her face turning red as Minoru kept his grip firmly on her neck. âAnd you better pray that you managed to keep your legs closed and preserved what belongs to your husband.âÂ
Minoru released her and watched with disdain as she fell to the floor gasping, looking up at him with fear in her eyes.Â
âIâll see you Tuesday.â He said walking out without a further glance.Â
The fog of uncertainty that had hung in the air the past few days was growing stifling. Â More time in relative captivity was leading to shorter fuses, which meant more bloodshed between the family. Â Girls had been brought in to sate their needs, but it only dulled the edge. These were men that liked to be out in the streets. Â That thrived on violence and hiding away like cowards was not sitting well with them. At the same time, they understood that it would be stupid to make a move without all the necessary information. Â
To make matters worse it had been over twenty-four hours since Taka had checked in and that made Minoru very concerned. Taka was very conscientious about reporting in, generally at least twice a day. Â For him to have gone radio silent couldnât mean anything good. Â
As the hours passed with no word from Taka, the unease grew, one by one the members of Suzuki Gun gathering in Minoruâs office as they awaited word. Â The fact that Taka wasnât responding to anyoneâs phone calls created an ominous atmosphere. Â
Los Ingobernables de Japon Headquarters
Sliding along on his belly through the vents Taka paused for a moment peering at his hand drawn map before veering to the right and following the vent to the end. Â Grabbing his monitoring equipment, he pressed it to the mental vent and put the earpiece in. If his information was correct there should be an empty storage closet directly below him which overlooked the LIJ meeting room. Â And if his information held up they should be convening in a meeting in the next few minutes. Hearing nothing below Taka put his equipment away and pulled out his electric screwdriver, slowly removing the vent screws and then sliding his body down to the room. Â
Catching his breath Taka wiped the sweat from his brow looking around the room until he spotted the air vent at the top of the wall. Grabbing a crate, he slid it over to the vent and stood on it peering into the room below. Â Pulling out his note pad Taka began scribbling down descriptions of the four men in the room, making note of their names and putting a big star next to the one he pinned as the leader. Â
Taka was so engrossed in his intel gathering he didnât notice the shadowy figure dropping down from the vent, landing with silent grace and stalking towards him. Â When the rope looped around his neck and tightened Taka panicked struggling with all his might and kicking in a futile attempt at freeing himself. Â His fingers clawed at the rope as he was pulled against a muscular body his air supply quickly draining as the rope got tighter. Â
âDonât kill him Bushi!â Â One of the men down below called his voice floating through the vent. Â âIâd like to speak to him before we decide his fate.â Â
With a disgruntled sigh Bushi loosened the rope, Taka gasping in air as he was pulled along behind the masked figure. Dragging him down the stairs Bushi lead him down to the meeting room, pressing in the code on the numeric keypad and then yanking Taka by the rope so he fell into the room in front of him. Â
Taka found himself staring up at the five men who formed a half-circle in front of him, bile rising in his throat as he realized he was completely at their mercy. Â He chastised himself for getting in this position, for not paying attention to his surroundings and realizing he was walking right into a trap. Â He should have realized that the information came a little too easy, but he had been too eager to help his family he had gotten careless. Â His family. A pang ran through him as he realized he may never see them again. Â That the last thing they would remember about him was that he had failed them. Â
âTaka Michinoku.â Â The orange haired man said looking down at him with inquisitive eyes. Takaâs eyes widened at the use of his name, wondering just how far ahead of him these men were. Â âMy name is Tetsuya Naito. Â These are my brothers, Hiromu Takahashi, Seiya Sanada, Bushi and Evil.â Â
âI donât give a shit who you are.â Â Taka spat glaring at Bushi when he jerked on the rope again. Â
âReally? Â For someone who doesnât give a shit you sure have been digging into our business lately.â Naito said with a grin.
âIf youâre going to kill me, just get it over with.â Taka snapped. Â
âIf we were going to kill you, youâd be dead already.â Â Hiromu said with a grin that sent chills through Taka and he instinctually backed away from him. Â âWeâre more interested in your family. Â We know youâre after guns. Â We know youâve tried to circumvent us and go directly to the source. Â Iâm rather impressed with your investigational abilities.â
âI think a meeting between our families would benefit both parties. Â So, what weâre going to do is tie you up and take you home. Â How well that goes will determine whether things get messy.â Naito said. Â
Back at Minoruâs Estate
Seeing movement on the monitor to the front gate Minoru sat up sharply as he recognized Takaâs black SUV. Â It sat at the gate, making no move to enter rising Minoruâs suspicions. Â He sharply ordered his men to gather their weapons, his hand hovering ready over the alarm that would call the guards stationed around his estate, but instinct stopped him from pressing. Â The window of the vehicle rolled down and an arm reached out pressing the buzzer on the intercom.
âTaka?â Â Minoru asked hesitantly receiving a laconic chuckle in return through the speaker.
âIâm sorry Taka is a little tied up at the moment. Iâm afraid he canât come to the phone.â A male voice said amusement clear in his voice. Â
âIf you hurt him I will gut you.â Minoru said fiercely as his crew started filtering back in. Â The Guns gathered around the desk circling the speaker as they tried to catch up. Â
âI donât think youâre in any position to threaten me.â Â He said sounding completely unperturbed. Â âAnd heâs relatively unscathed considering he was snooping where he shouldnât be. Iâm assuming that was at your command Suzuki-san?â Â
Minoru took a deep breath to keep himself from lashing out purely for Takaâs sake. Â The utter disrespect of this insolent asshole was pissing him off. Not to mention the guilt eating away at him for putting Taka in such a dangerous position. Â
âWho are you and what the fuck do you want?â Minoru asked evenly though internally he was seething.
âMy name is Naito and I am the head of Los Ingobernables.â Â The man replied immediately causing shocked looks to be exchanged throughout the room. Lance and Davey twitched nervously their holds tightening on their weapons. Â Los Ingobernables was the last thing they expected him to say and knowing there was at least one man in that vehicle armed with guns made them all antsy.
âNow, are we going to continue this little tete a tete through the intercom or do you want to buzz me in?â Â Naito chuckled low and dark. Â âOr I could use this handy little clicker to just let myself in.â Â
âMinoru you canât seriously be considering letting that asshole in here?â Â Davey shouted as Minoru reached for the button.
âI am Davey. Â They have Taka. Â As much as an asshole this Naito is, the fact is he could have rolled right up to the front door and walked on in and we would have been clueless. Â He gave us time to prepare and showed professional courtesy, so Iâm inclined to grant him entrance to see what he has to say.â Â
âBut what if its not just him?â Â Desperado asked. âWe have no idea how many of them are in that car.â Â
âI think we have to take that risk.â Â Taichi chimed in. Â âThey have Taka.â Â He stressed. âWeâll do whatever is necessary to get him back; safely.â Â
âHow do we even know heâs still alive?â Iizuka said gravely, voicing the thought none of them wanted to acknowledge. Uneasy looks were exchanged at the question no one could answer. Â
Swallowing back his unease, Minoru pushed the button granting entrance and they all watched the monitors as the SUV pulled up to the front door and parked.
âFascinating isnât it?â Â A new voice asked from behind them, all eight Guns immediately turning weapons brandished as they came face to face with a man in a well-tailored suit with a colorful latex mask and black lips leaning in the doorway leading up from the underground hideaway, pointing a gun at them. Â
âWhat the hell?â Â How did you get in here?â Zack asked. Â
âThatâs not really your concern.â Â The man said, his black lipsticked grin spreading wide. Â
âBushiâs correct, what we do isnât your concern.â Â Again, the group spun, this time towards the front door falling back towards Minoru as they saw four more men had appeared. Â
Minoruâs eyes darted to Taka who was in fact well tied up with the arm of an eccentric looking man wearing the loudest suit he had ever seen. Â Daveyâs lack of fashion sense had nothing on this man. Â Noticing Minoruâs attention, the man smiled flipping his shoulder length hair back out of his eyes, the red tips flashing as his hair moved. Â Taka flinched as the man licked up his cheek with a long tongue flashing pleading eyes at Minoru to get him out of this mess. Minoru could see old familiar panic rising in Takaâs eyes.
âNaito?â Minoru questioned turning his attention to the orangish haired man who raised his hand insolently.  âCould you have your man remove himself from Takaâs side.  His⊠affection, is making him uncomfortable and bringing up things heâd rather not remember.  If I see Taka become uneasy blood will spill.  We may die, but so will you.â Â
Naitoâs eyes narrowed as he considered Minoru then looked at the subject of Minoruâs threat before slowly nodding his head.
âHiromu let him go. Â Youâre freaking him out.â Â Naito said and Hiromu smiled widely but immediately complied circling to the other side of the room and leaning against the wall, taking up a tactile position while resting his hand on the gun in his waistband. Â
âI believe you know the others now, this is Sanada.â Naito introduced gesturing towards the man who looked more like he belonged on the cover of GQ wearing a suit that probably cost more than Minoruâs entire closet. Â âAnd this,â Naito waved towards the man beside Sanada dressed in all black suit with dark sunglasses and rainbow-colored hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Â âIs Evil.â
âEvil,â Desperado scoffed. Â âis that your real name.â Â
âDesperado,â Evil sneered. Â âIs that your real name? Â Or do you prefer Kyosuke?â Â The room fell silent Minoru and Taichi exchanging worried glances as they realized these men knew much more than they should about their family.
âLet Taka go so we can speak civilly,â Â Taichi said gesturing towards the Ingosâ captive.
Minoru watched as Naito looked around the room at each of his men seemingly seeking their opinion before Evil walked over to Taka. Minoru felt his heart lurch in his chest when Evil flicked out a long switchblade and brought it to Takaâs body. He let out a sigh of relief when the big man simply sliced the ropes and stepped away letting Taka rush to Minoruâs side.
âIâm sorry MiSu,â Taka said. Â âIâm so sorry.â Â Minoru pulled him into a hug disregarding the threat in the room to give Taka some much needed comfort.
âTaka. Â Itâs not your fault. Â Things go wrong sometimes. I shouldnât have sent you out there aloneâ Minoru murmured. âYouâre safe and thatâs all that matters.â Â With a final squeeze Minoru pushed Taka behind him and into Iizukaâs waiting arms. Â
âAre we going to sit and discuss or are we spilling blood?â Â Bushi asked Naito.
âWe came here to talk Bushi.â Naito reminded his friend. Â âIf we wanted them dead they would be already.â Â
âYouâre awfully confident for someone who is outnumbered and just gave up their only leverage.â Lance said. Â
âWeâre not hear to argue about whose dick is bigger.â Hiromu spoke up. Â âYou wanted to talk guns, letâs talk guns.â
âYouâre willing to discuss this with us?â Â Taichi asked surprised given the rather hostile interactions so far.
âWe wouldnât be here if we werenât.â Â Evil said. Â âWe wouldâve slit your friendâs throat and dropped him on your doorstep.â
âYes, weâre willing.â Â Naito interrupted before things further descended into chaos. Â âSeems both you and Chaos have a sudden interest in firearms. Â Given Chaos is still spinning in circles and chasing false leads while that little shit got a hold of the source in four days intrigues us. He also got close enough to our headquarters to make us wary. Â We only work with the best. Â We think you are the best. Thereâs only one hold up.â Â
âWhatâs that?â Â Zack asked suspiciously. Â
âWe donât work with anyone who isnât family.â Naito said with a shrug. Â âAnd none of you are family.â Â
âso why are you wasting our time?â Â Minoru asked sharply. Â âIf you have no intentions of working with us then why are you here? You knew we werenât family before you showed up here.â Â
âYou are a family correct?â Â Naito asked. Â âYet none of you are blood. Â The five of us.â Â He gestured to his group. Â âAre not blood. Â Yet we are family. Â Is your motto not bond before blood?â Â
Minoru nodded slowly before speaking.
âItâs true we are not a conventional family. But we have been family from the moment we met. Â We cannot say the same for you. Â Youâve already struck out at one of ours. Iâm not sure that transgression can be overlooked.â
âYou fired the first shot.â Â Bushi said with a smirk. âSo to speak. Â Eight days ago you sent Taka out to obtain information on the gun source. Â Trampling all over our territory. Â We allowed you that. Â Three nights ago you sent him directly after us. Â You should consider it a sign of good faith that we didnât kill him outright as we have so many others.â
âIf youâre as good as you saw you are, how come nobody has ever fucking heard of you?â Davey spat. Â
âBecause weâre ghosts.â Hiromu said. Â âAnd we intend to keep it that way.â Â
Warnings: Mentions of violence, this is a Mafia AU fic so there is violence and language and mentions of sex.
August 1, 1996
Drip.  Drip. Drip. 5,760 drips heâd been hanging in this god forsaken cellar room. 17 year old Zack Sabre, Jr. had counted every single one of them over the course of the past four days. To take his mind off the fear at first. Now as a distraction from the gnawing hunger and thirst that threatened to drive him insane. There was barely any light, only that seeping through the bottom of the door. He could hear screams through the walls, so he knew he was not alone. His arms ached from being suspended above his body, the ropes holding him rubbing his wrists raw. Â
Zack could barely remember how he had gotten here.  Fresh off the airplane that had just landed in Tokyo from England for a senior trip with his upper school classmates, Zack had snuck off from the group for a quick snack. When he had returned not five minutes later the group and all of his luggage was gone. Panicking Zack had run to the area he thought the bus was supposed to be to find nothing. He had been chewing himself out for not paying more attention when a nicely dressed Japanese man had approached and offered his assistance. That was the last thing he remembered before he woke up hanging from the ceiling. He had yelled and screamed like the others, but soon realized it was useless. No one came and no one cared.  So he hung and counted drips and waited to learn his fate.Â
 His fate did come calling. But it wasnât the one he expected.  Zack had either fallen asleep or passed out, he wasnât quite sure which when he was jolted awake by yelling. Not from his fellow captives, but sounding like it was coming from right outside the door. The sounds of fighting quieted down and Zack could hear muffled conversation. He strained to hear, picking up a few words here and there.  From what he could gather a man named Minoru was rather unhappy with his captors for operating on his turf without permission or payment.   There were additional sounds of struggles and then silence reigned. Â
When the door to his room was opened harsh light filtered in, making Zack squint as his eyes burned.  He could barely make out the form in the doorway, and was relatively certain his mind was playing tricks on him as he thought it was a man wearing a black and white luchador style mask. As the man approached Zackâs fear ratcheted up and he lashed out, kicking out with his long legs and nailing the man across the face.  Unfortunately it didnât seem to face him, the man taking a step back and looking at him with something akin to amusement lighting his cold blue eyes.
âKick me again and Iâll break every bone in that damn foot.  Iâm trying to help your dumbass.â The man said. âNow if I get you down from there, you gonna keep that bony ass foot to yourself?â Zack nodded slowly hoping he wasnât making a huge mistake in trusting this man going around in a fucking mask.  Course he supposed if you were of the criminal element, protecting your identify was probably a good idea.  The blood covered knife the man pulled out had Zack questioning his instincts, wondering if he was about to have his throat slit. Â
Instead, unable to reach high enough to reach the rope the man flung his blade slicing cleanly through the rope and making Zack fall in a heap to the ground as he marveled how sharp that blade must have been to slice through the rope like butter. Â
âNice kick by the way.â  The man called as he left the room, leaving Zack lying on the ground. He didnât have the energy to even rise to his feet, so he laid his cheek on the cold ground and closed his eyes. The last thing he thought before he passed out was that he had lost count of the drips.
In the main room Minoru and his crew gathered having freed the captives and killed the captors.   A couple of the captives had to be killed. Injuries to severe to justify continued living.  Heâs tired. Itâs late and Minoru just wants to go home. He dealt with what needed to be done and he was looking forward to his soft bed and maybe some company from a lady friend. He signaled to leave thinking about who he could call to come fuck him into a coma when Despy stopped him with a hand on his arm.
âThe kid in the first room.â  Desperado said hesitantly looking in the direction of Zackâs room, his form visible on the floor. âWe canât leave him.âÂ
Minoru turned to meet Despyâs eyes, peering deep into their blue depths before glancing at the still form on the ground.Â
âIs he even alive?â  Minoru asked with a sigh. He recognized that look. Looked like he was going to wind up with another stray.  Lance walked into the room and checked the kidâs pulse giving Minoru a nod as he tapped on the kidâs cheek to wake him up.Â
Startling awake Zack jerked away from the oversized man leaning over him, his heart beating wildly as the room filled with men.Â
âRelax.  Weâre not here to hurt you.â Minoru said his calming tones drawing Zackâs eyes to him.Â
âCareful boss.  Heâs got a hell of a kick.â Desperado said leaning against the doorway and watching the kid. He hoped Minoru saw what he did. That kid was meant to be his brother.  Despy had no doubt in his mind. Â
âIs that true son?â  Minoru asked, the word flowing easily though Zack probably wasnât more than a year or two younger than him.  âDid you kick Despy?â Zack slowly nodded, fearing retaliation for hitting one of his men. Minoru chuckled. âImpressive. Iâm surprised he didnât break your foot.â
âHe threatened too.â  Zack said the words coming out raspy and he coughed around his dry throat.
âOnly a threat?â Minoru said with a smile, laughter spilling from the rest of the men.  âHe must like you.â Then Minoru turned serious. âWhat is your name?âÂ
âZack.  Zack Sabre Jr.â Zack replied nervously his eyes darting around the room at the rough looking group surrounding him.Â
âWhere are you from Zack?â  Minoru asked.
Zack explained he had travelled to Japan with a group from his high school on a senior trip and how he got separated from them at the airport and somehow had winded up here. He blanched as Minoru told him that he had been drugged and kidnapped with the intentions of being sold into sex slavery.
âDo you wanna go home to your family in England?  I can make that happen.â  Minoru said kindly. He was rather surprised by the immediate shake of Zackâs head.  Minoruâs eyes narrowed as he felt his protective instincts rising. Apparently he was taking in another stray.Â
Zack looked down at the ground.  He shouldâve just said yes. Then he could have left this place like the others and stayed here.  That was Zackâs secret. He had planned to ditch the group at some point and stay here in Japan. He would never return to his family.  Not when they refuse to accept him.Â
âI wasnât planning on returning home.â  Zack said when he looked up and saw Minoru waiting for an explanation. âI was going to leave my group and stay here. Try to find a job and someplace to live.â
âWhy were you leaving your home?â  Iizuka asked.
Zack hesitated.  He had found allies, and he was scared they were going to leave him to die when he told them the truth.Â
âMy parents donât want me anymore.  Not the way I am. Theyâve made it perfectly clear Iâm not welcome in their house.â Zack once again trained his eyes on the ground. âSeeâŠIâm not exactly straight.â He waited for the explosion cringing back expecting to be hit by these gangsters. If his own parents had done so, why wouldnât these men he meant nothing to them. The explosion never came to Zackâs surprise, but the silence still felt stifling.Â
âOkay.â Minoru said after a few moments of contemplation.  âYou like boys. Nothing wrong with that.âÂ
âAnd girls.  I like girls too.â Zack said relief making him ramble. âBoys, girls, I like them all. Iâm not picky.âÂ
Kanemaru chuckled his head shaking as he listened to Zack.   He didnât care one way or another what Zack liked to fuck. He liked this kid. Â
âSo I guess youâre coming home with us.â Minoru said rising from the crouch he had adopted and reaching out a hand for Zack to grasp.Â
Minoru Suzuki leaned back in his chair, looking around the rag tag group that made up his family.   It was complete.  At one point it had felt like it would never be. But once Zack had joined the family they had all felt a completeness.  Things had been hectic the last year since Zack had come aboard. A never ending battle to establish dominance and reclaim lost turf.  The tide had finally turned and things were calm. It was time to make things official. Â
âFor the past two years weâve built our name.  Weâve built our family. Finally our family is complete.â Minoru said, silence falling over the group. âEach of us has had our own trials and tribulations to get to this point. We all have scars.  But with the love and support of our brothers we will all heal.  We will become stronger.  Tonight is a night of ends and a night of beginnings.â
As each of the men had joined the family they had taken up residence in Minoruâs fatherâs estate.  Tonight was the end of that arrangement. Minoru had a home built for himself. Kanemaru and Taichi were moving into a condo together.  Despy, Taka and Zack were renting together. Iizuka had a place of his own. Lance and Davey had bought a home in downtown. Money was flowing into the family, the men were in a position to be independent now, and it was only going to get better from here on out.  This home was going to be turned over to Minoruâs mother and sister. They would live here in luxury.  But it would no longer be home to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family. Â
âTonight we welcome Taka, Zacky, Despy, Lance and Davey fully.â  Minoru said. Placing the ceremonial goblet used two years ago to induct Taichi, Iizuka and Kanemaru on the table Minoru poured Takeda Katafune Daiginjo Sake into it. Next the ceremonial knife was pulled from his interior pocket and held up by Minoru.Â
âI am Minoru Suzuki, IV, kumicho of the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  A family bonded by choice. Not by blood. With my blood I pledge my allegiance to each and every one of you. Bond before blood.â  Minoru sliced the knife, splitting open his scar from the first ceremony, watching crimson liquid drip into the cup.  Taking the towel offered by Kanemaru, Minoru tied off the wound before passing the cup and knife down to Taka. Â
âTaka Michinoku, I hereby name you shateigashira of the Suzuki Gunz. You will serve alongside IIzuka to oversee safety and security of our family.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
Taka rose to his feet and knife in hand and pressing it to underside of his forearm.
âI, Taka Michinoku, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  I will give my life to protect this family. I accept my position as shateigashira with honor.  Bond before blood.â Taka pledged, slicing open his arm and dripping his own blood into the cup.  Resuming his seat Taka bandaged his arm as he passed the knife and cup on to Desperado.Â
âEl Desperado, I hereby name you fuko-honbucho of the Suzuki Gunz. You will serve to oversee all branches of our family and the expansion of our turf.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
âI, Kyosuke Mikami, El Desperado, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family. Our family will prosper under my watch and become more powerful than any other. I accept my position as fuko-honbucho.  Bond before blood.â  El Desperado cut deeply into his arm, dripping his own blood into the cup. Â
The cup and knife were passed on to Davey who held them reverently. Â
âDavey Smith, I hereby name you kyodai of the northern territories of Suzuki Gunz. You are the protector of our family. You are my eyes and ears.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
âI, Davey Smith, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family. No one will harm my family. I accept my position as kyodai.  Bond before blood.â  Davey followed ceremony, letting his blood join that of his brothers in the cup before handing them off to Lance.Â
âLance Archer, I hereby name you kyodai of the southern territories of Suzuki Gunz. You are the protector of our family alongside Davey. You are my eyes and ears.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
âI, Lance Archer, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family. No one will harm my family. I accept my position as kyodai.  Bond before blood.â  Lance cut himself, watching his blood drip into the cup.
âZack Sabre, Jr., I hereby name you shingliin of the Suzuki Gunz. You will serve as the law advisor for our family. You are our legal defense.  Do you accept this designation?â Minoru said.
âI, Zack Sabre, Jr, pledge my life and my honor to the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family. I will bring pride to our family and defend it with honor. I accept my position as shingliin.  Bond before blood.â  Zack mixed his blood with that of his brothers. He was nervous and excited. Having discussed his love of the law with Minoru on many occasions his designation was no surprise. He was already enrolled in university and working steadily towards his law degree. Zack was determined to be the best damn attorney ever seen in order to defend his makeshift family.Â
The cup was cycled back to Taichi, Kanemaru and Iizuka who each added their own blood before giving the cup to Minoru.Â
âWe are a formidable group.  Nothing will get in our way.â Minoru pronounced taking a swallow before passing it to Taichi and watching as each of the men swallowed from the cup. When it reached him again Minoru turned to the cabinet behind him and pulled out five velvet jewelry boxes. Moving around the table he placed on in front of each of the newest members.Â
âTaka, Zack, Davey, Lance and Desperado, welcome to our family.â  Minoru smiled with pride as he watched each of them place their rings on their fingers, smiling widely as they were now official. Â
Japanese translations:Â
KumichĆ â Boss
so-honbucho â underboss, second in command
saiko komon â senior advisor â like consigliere in American mafia