Chapter 28: First blood

Eisuke laced his boots. He didn’t like his job, nothing would change that. But there was an advantage to it. He didn’t like gangsters. He hated them with everything he owned. They were just like parasites. Always multiplying. And if no one was going to take them out, he would.

He jumped at every opportunity to do it. Even if the pay was below his quality.

Gangs were just like predators. They lured you in with treats and a good time, and when they were done with you, could either keep you, or cast you away. He had lost his brother to those monsters. And Hayata might be screwed up in the head for wanting to kill his sisters, but that was his problem.

Gangs were a problem with society that needed to be eradicated.

He looked up and the assassin was in his face. He hadn’t heard him. Qualities for being an assassin. The name wasn’t just a name. He actually lived up to it.

“So….what are you thinking about?” he asked meekly.

Eisuke continued with his boots.

The other man sat beside him. “This is pretty cool. You and I working together”.

“Just this once” he corrected him, before he could get any bright ideas.

“Ooh!” he exclaimed. “We’re like a power couple. Like Bonny and Clyde” he was lost in his own fantasy. “But we’re not French, and we won’t die in the end” he slapped his thigh.

Eisuke hissed, shooting up from his spot on the bed.

“I understand. You don’t want any distractions before the mission. Okay” he nodded calmly. “I’ll send you the address”.

Eisuke looked at him dubious.

The assassin looked back innocently.

“Relax” he patted his hair. “Of all times to screw you over, now?” he asked rhetorically. “Just go there, and you’ll see me later. The targets won’t just fall from the sky” he laughed fluffing his collars.

“I guess” he said under his breath.

He came closer. Lowering his neck a little so they could be at eye level. “Now give me a little kiss” he pouted.

Eisuke pursed his lips, praying for strength.

“Just for good luck”. The look in his eyes were teasing. Playful and dangerous. How he could portray all those emotions, were beyond him.

“Don’t tell me you believe in luck” he said dryly, pushing him aside. The alphabet assassin leaves it to luck.

“I don’t need it” Hayata said. “Just need a kiss” he said following him.

He rolled his eyes and planted one on his cheek. “Now go and do what you need to do” he said sternly.

“I’m a professional…..kill shot” he said that sarcastic and he left.

The marksman pulled the duffle bag over his shoulder and reached for his phone. The address had already been set, and he needed to be there to get ready.

VVVVV

Takashi arrived at the incomplete building. Two stories, and really big. He couldn’t see the beauty now, but he was sure when it was complete, it would be something. Did he just complement Takahiro?

What was he saying?

It was what those blasted sisters had put in his mind. Lee wasn’t Takahiro’s son. For all he knew, his father must have had a lot of properties before he died. When a family member was dead, it wasn’t something that they would all just talk about.

This was just a coincidence.

A harmless coincidence.

He walked through the very wide-open doors. And took everything in. He wasn’t sure if this was going to be a house.

Someone whistled.

Looking up, he saw Lee above him. Standing on the roof of the first floor, which turned out to be the ground for the second floor. Like a waffle, but had holes. He smiled up at his brother. He located the stairs, and walked up to meet him.

He still had a smile on his face as he jumped over the guard rails, and approached. He had to be careful. The artistic floor had man-sized holes. He stood a risk of falling through one. And looking down, it was a far fall.

They stood before each other. Just staring at the other, silently.

“Nice to see you again in person” Lee broke the ice.

“You’ve changed” he managed to stop smiling.

“As have you. Your hair grew longer” he stated touching his own hair.

“And you…you…” an image of Takahiro flashed in his mind. “Well you didn’t change much. Just your voice”.

“Well, sit” Lee said, sitting down, his legs going through the holes.

He would have preferred them going to sit on the steps, but technically this was Lee’s property. He was a guest. And clearly he didn’t have a problem with where he sat. So he sat beside him, mimicking his position.

“How have you been?” he asked. “Your mum too”.

“We’ve been okay” he replied, sounding a little bit cold. “Come on Takashi” he laughed. “Don’t tell me that you came here to ask me that. You could have asked that over the phone. All that while ago” his tone mock happy. “But you didn’t. And one day, you call me out of the blue. Which means that you’re in trouble” he gestured wildly with his hands. His words were scathing.

Everything he said was the truth, and it cut deep like a knife. He knew he could have kept communication with them, but he was too much of a scaredy-cat.

“Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to reconnect with my family after a long time”.

“A very long time” he added. “And now you consider me family” everything he said was sarcastic. He turned and gave him a withering look. “We weren’t your family when you just decided everything that happened, didn’t. You just threw us away. How do you think my mum felt?”

“I don’t know. And that’s why I came here”.

As he said that, Lee rolled his eyes turning away. He looked ahead. He kept looking at the side of his face. Looking at his contracting jaw that seemed to be having trouble.

“So, this is your father’s house?” he looked up to the roof.

“Yes it is” he sighed.

“You never talked about your dad…..ever” and he was content with that, at the time.

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” he leaned back. Takashi stretched his hands to stop him, but then realized that he didn’t need it.

“No nothing. This is actually the first time you’ve mentioned dad since I’ve known you. And anything related with him”.

“Huh!” he exclaimed unaffected. “I guess it never did come up. You didn’t mention parents, and I didn’t. It would have been too traumatic for you” he sat up again, popping his stiff muscles.

“Yeah” he agreed. “So was he into real-estate?” he gestured to the entire place.

“No, he wasn’t” Lee shook his head. Not bothering to help him.

“A businessman with a lot of properties?” he laughed.

“Not even close” he chuckled, then he began to laugh.

“Is he dead?” he thought out loud.

That got him to stop laughing. He stayed silent, staring at his slowly swinging legs. He thought he wasn’t going to answer, so he tried to change it.

“H-he was” he rasped. “He was alive, but he’s dead now” he replied still looking at his feet.

“Uh, I know what it’s like. Losing a father at such a young age” he said comfortingly. Stretching his hand, but stopped himself.

“What are you talking about?!” he asked abruptly turning his neck. “My dad didn’t die when I was young. He died just….a year ago. Maybe more”.

“Oh! Why didn’t he ever come around?” he was confused. “All the while, I thought that, mum was a widow”.

He chuckled darkly. “Well she is one now”.

“I’m sorry” he said quietly. This time placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You should be” he said, grabbing his wrist and pushing his hand away.

Takashi ignored that. “How is she now?”

“In a nursing home now” he supplied with that fake happy tone. “She’s a shadow of her former self, but I guess we can both sympathize”.

“I-I’m not sure I understand what you mean” he was confused.

“Well, you saw your parents die, right? I didn’t see my dad die, but I know who killed my dad” a crazy grin had carved itself on his face.

Things weren’t going as he had envisioned. There were a lot of warning signs that Lee was showing. That he was currently unstable. Trauma from hearing about his father’s death and the state of his mum.

And now that he thought about it, he wanted to be wrong.

“Who was your dad Lee? What was his name?” he inched closer.

“Shouldn’t you be asking who killed him Takashi? Ask?!” he screamed in his face. “I dare you!!”

Yes. He was crazy.

Then he heard it.

The crunching of boot on stones. He looked up, trying not to alert Lee who was going crazy. It was a girl, half of her face obscured by a mask. Then everything Karou said came back to haunt him instantly.

She stood behind them, and he saw her hand move.

“Lee get down!!” he cut him off. And that was why he never left without protection on him. It was Jun, and he would take care of his and also the sister’s problem. He reached into his back pocket, and just as he brought it out and aimed, it went flying out of his hand, down the holes.

He heard it clatter on the ground.

He held his hurting elbow.

He looked to the one responsible.

Lee, who was giving him a questioning look.

“Dude!!” he screamed looking back to the girl, who had a gun aimed at them.

“What?! Were you going to shoot my cousin?” and this time, he was jeering.

“Y-your cousin?!” he asked baffled.

Lee placed both hands on his cheeks and opened his mouth. “Yes. My dad’s elder brother’s daughter. That makes Jun and I cousins” he explained looking so threatening.

“I-I don’t understand. Her un-her uncle was….she was the right-hand to….Lee?” he was con-he couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. She was the right-hand to my dad” he nodded. “Do you get the picture?” he asked, backing away skillfully, avoiding the holes.

“I-but….but, your last name….I d-I can’t believe it” his legs got lower and lower, till he was kneeling.

“Ask me the question Takashi. Ask me what you’re dying to hear?!” he urged him, grinning and laughing maniacally.

“W-who’s your father?” he asked suddenly cold.

“Takahiro Nakamura” he replied. “Akiyama is my mum’s maiden name” he crouched down. Making sure they didn’t lose eye contact. “Now Takashi, it is my turn to ask. Who killed my father?”

“Y-your father o-orchestrated my….he was trying to kill me. I had to defend myself!” he argued.

“And do pray tell, why was he trying to kill you?” he whispered crawling towards him.

He was silent. Clutching his elbow, and hoping for this to be a nightmare.

“What are your orders boss?” Jun asked. Her fingers, her entire body itching to get this over with.

“Not yet Jun. We have to wait for the rest of our guests, then you can have your fun” and he approached jumping over the railing. He just glanced at the still kneeling man. “You brought this on yourself Fujiwara. You should have asked for help when I offered” and he walked away.

Takashi just stared at his retreating back, then back to the woman. She pushed the mask up to her head. He still couldn’t wrap it around his head that Lee, his brother, was Takahiro’s son. He was also Aiko’s husband, his mum. And now Lee was what he was running away from.

A gangster boss.

“I wish I didn’t have to kill you” she crossed over the rail and sat on it. “No fancy gadgets to help you now” she said haughtily. “I would love to scar you just like you did for me. But……who said I can’t have the best of both words” she droned.

Takashi glared down at the holes.

His only help now, were the monster sisters.

VVVVV

Sachi sat on her table. Heels against the opposing thighs, and fingers pressed together. She took calming breaths.

Megumi just watched her sister. She stood there frozen by the door. When did her sister start doing stuff like that? Well if anyone, it was her.

‘TAP’.

One of her sister’s eyes opened, and she stopped breathing. Megumi looked at her, confused at the sound.

‘TAP’ it came again.

Sachi got off the table, and Megumi walked cautiously to the window, hands on the gun by her hip. Sachi had said everyone should lay low, so no one was meant to be around. The base was very secluded, so there was no way anyone would come here and start throwing stones.

Both women stood at the window, to see Hayata with a handful of pebbles.

He smiled when he saw them, letting them fall out of his hand and slapping both palms together.

He had found them.

How?

She heard the familiar sound of a setting gun. She turned, and Sachi held her specialty. A machine gun.

“Come on!” Hayata yelled, his hands beside his mouth. “Come to big brother!”

She aimed.

Megumi placed the back of her palm underneath the gun and raised it to the ceiling. “Patience sister. Analyze the situation. He could have been inside and we wouldn’t know”.

“What are you insinuating” she looked at the man beneath.

“We go to him. We’re not doing this here” and that was final. She walked to the end of the room, and looked through the weapons in her arsenal.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to use your sword on him” Sachi said, already set, not taking her eyes of him. And he was back to throwing pebbles. She had the shot, she could take it. She eased her finger on the trigger.

“I’m ready, let’s go” Megumi ran out of the room.

Sachi groaned and ran after her.

Hayata took three steps back when he didn’t see his sister’s face. He needed to get out of here while he still could walk. He ran to the bike he had packed ahead.

The two sisters just jumped out to hear the revving of engines. “Get the car!” Sachi yelled. “Get it!” she screamed running after him.

She ran and she fired, but he must have anticipated her move, because he kept swerving. She didn’t have a clear shot, so she ran after him. She was going to end this today. It had gone on long enough. She had let him have his fun for far too long. If she had been older when she met him, she would have shot him. She knew there was something not right about him when she first met him.

She ran and she still had him in her sights. He wasn’t driving so fast. He was doing this on purpose.

She heard an incoming car. She slowed down to a jog. When the car appeared beside her, she jumped in, gun raised.

“Step on it!” she barked.

Megumi punched it.

Hayata turned back with a wild grin. He moved with purpose this time around.

He had to be fast. This wasn’t time for games. Sachi had a gun. And he knew the girl had it out for him ever since they met. He was a threat to her status as heir. The pureblood felt threatened by the bastard sibling.

It was rich.

A bullet whizzed past his ear.

It was time to stop thinking. He knew she didn’t miss on purpose. She was toying with him. And he knew because he had stopped swerving.

“Just shoot him already!” Megumi scowled.

“I will when you stop driving like an old man” she bit back. Then she fired again.

The driver groaned. She knew her sister. She was enjoying the chase. This wasn’t a hunt. But her sister seemed to have forgotten that. It had been a while since she had any form of excitement, even if this wasn’t one she should take lightly.

Maybe she could just run him over.

The streets they passed where strangely deserted, but that wasn’t their problem. Their problem now, was killing that guy before he could do anything.

Surprisingly, he drove into a building with no doors. That didn’t faze Sachi. Even though it seemed so convenient and suspicious. Megumi slowed down at the last minute, before they could kill themselves. It wouldn’t benefit any of them. The enemy included.

She stopped the car, and Sachi got out and was on guard. Where would a guy that drove a noisy bike into a building go?

“Something isn’t right” Megumi, always the tactician stated.

Sachi looked up perplexed. Something wasn’t right.

Sachi continued looking up at the roof that was the floor of the second floor. She commended herself in her mental prowess.

She took pride in her ability of noticing what no one else does, but she noticed the gas canisters too late.

It happened father than light.

One moment they were standing, searching with their eyes, second there was a blast that shook the entire foundation.

Her gun was out of her hand and she was flung back towards the car, she landed on her side on the bonnet. Megumi flew face first to the windshield, but she shielded her face with her arms. Before she hit, the windows had already broken from the blast. Her upper half went through, broken glass scraping her in places.

Sachi could barely move. Her body hurt, and she was still disoriented. Megumi hadn’t stirred. It was all still loud ringing. She just sat there. She was sure if she moved, her ribs would break. She just sat there, unable to talk, unable to warn Megumi of the impending danger.

The crunching of shoes on glass, and doing her best to look up, it was Hayata.

“So anticlimactic isn’t it?” he looked down at her with that same cynical smile. He caressed her neck, and gripped it hard.

“I’m at ‘A’ little sister. Do you know what it stands for?” he barred his teeth at her.