Chapter Two:

Shifting Riku tried to recall where exactly he was. One moment he was on the plane to Japan, but now he was in pajamas tucked in a futon. Yawing he rubbed his eyes and staggered to the nearby box window. Perhaps it was all just a horrible nightmare, and he was home again. But if that was the case, why was his bed so close to the floor. Shrugging it off, he pulled the curtains to the side then screamed at the top of his lungs. His heart struck hard against his chest as he fell to the floor. The door slid open and light poured over him. He guarded his eyes and made himself into a tiny ball. Matzo’s hand firmly grasped his left shoulder while he turned on the lamp.

“What is that!?”

The blonde male snickered and lifted the light to the samurai figurine. Its face was truly grotesque, but had good artistic detail. A cold sweat rushed over Riku as he stood to his feet.

“It’s nothing but a mannequin.”

“Where are we?” Riku said backing away from the doll.

“We are in Japan. Your grandfather planned to wake you up an hour from now. But I think its best you shower up now. A fresh suit is waiting for you in the bathroom, its right through that door. Not to worry, your grandfather had it modified to a more American style.” Matzo smiled, and then bowed. Before he could leave he heard the boy start to cry. “Mr. Kotara what’s wrong.”

“Nothing, just go!” Riku snapped unintentionally. Cupping at his pants he ran into the restroom. “So embarrassing! I can’t believe that happened.”

Grunting Stephen dragged himself from his steamy hot bath. A trail of dark spots followed him from restroom to the bedroom. Staying in hotel rooms was becoming more and more annoying, not to mention costly. Idly he grabbed for the television remote and turned on the set. As normal he watched the news, which sounded mostly like incoherent babble. Occasionally he picked up on a few words that led him to certain conclusions. One, his mob wasn’t the only one rising up against Serenity in Japan. Despite this they were altogether still a very small force. Sooner or later they would be squashed by the Hitomi clan. Two, all the murders that were happening nearby were being blamed on his alias. So far only three could really be accounted as his own. The rest was someone else’s product. All Stephen could do was thank the heavens that no one acquired his full identity as of yet.

Just as he turned on his side, a maid with a cart walked in. Her cheeks turned red as she examined the nude American. He winked at the woman and sat up as if to give her a better view. Hurriedly she ran out of the room leaving behind her cart. Stephen fell back on the bed grinning. Sweat rolled down his face as he reached for his boxers. Then he braided his hair and jumped into a tank top and baggy blue jeans. Lost in the sheets was his buzzing cellular phone. Growling he hunted for it. After he found it he cursed and checked the message.

“Yeah I gotta message for ya: Learn how to answer the damn phone. Hey a meeting at Koji-san’s restaurant. Don’t be late you knuckle head it’s twelve as usual.”

“F**king smart ass.” Stephen sighed closing the phone and sticking it in his pocket. Complaining he snatched up his long black trench coat then put on a pair of glasses.

For the first time in years, Mimi stepped out of her apartment complex feeling free. Taking a deep breath she felt as if she could be caught up by the wind. A single tear slid down her face. Not only was she liberated but her son was in the safe arms of her father. Shelia exited her vehicle and hugged Mimi tightly. Together they laughed then kissed one another’s cheeks.

“We need to get to the police immediately!”

“Alright, get in the car. I’ll take you to the department to file a report. They should believe you…especially after this incident.” Shelia replied while helping her friend into the car.

Just like his mother described, the family home was a grand domicile. It was warm and filled with priceless items. Throughout the entire building you could smell blossoming flowers. For Riku it was a calming addition that healed his eagerness. During his exploration he came across an exceedingly pink bedroom. It had posters all over the walls and huge stuffed animals. In the corner was a white marbled desk with a stack of diaries sitting in its center. A bed was close by that was covered with old sundresses. Just as he was about to enter a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. He looked up at the tall, hefty man. The old guy smiled and they hugged firmly.

“Ojiisan!”

“I am so glad you are up Riku-chan.”

“Grandpa…who’s room was that?”

“It doesn’t matter, that person no longer exists in our family.” A woman retorted.

Riku turned around; his face cringing at the sound. That horribly high pitched tone could be no one else but his aunt Mina. Her skin was far more tanned than when he last saw her, not to mention she had ghastly bleached hair. The attire that she wore was always intense neon the exact opposite of her demeanor. Beside her was her eleven year old son, Kenta. He was a slender fellow with enormously pale skin. Whenever he looked at someone he would tilt his head to the side, to make his black locks sweep across his face. Just like his mother he was highly conceited and cared only for himself.

“Let me guess…you are talking about my mom.”

“You know as well as I do, she was a traitor…and you are the product of that sedition.” Mina replied, taking a cigarette from her purse. Her hand quaked as she put the item in her mouth. “Be grateful we even took you in.”

“Be quiet. The boy doesn’t need to know any of that.” The elder ordered, pulling the steaming child closer to him.

“What… that my dad is an Italian? Is that why she is a traitor? Because she followed her heart she is excluded from everything.” Riku shouted pushing away from his grandfather. “She did nothing wrong! You turned your back on her when she needed you…doesn’t that make you all traitors—“

“You have a lot of nuts talking like that.” Kenta sneered, folding his arms. “My mom is next in line to rule the Kotara clan…she’ll wipe you and your mother off the face of the earth.”

“Oh I am so scared.” Riku spoke under his breath.

Matzo passed by them bowing respectfully then went quickly for the door. It was never his desire to get caught up in family matters especially ones as controversial as Mimi’s.

This was Riku’s chance to escape, he just knew it. If he stayed any longer, the two of those hypocritical puppets would be on the floor. That’s how it played out in his mind at least. After one deep exhale, Riku ran after Matzo. His grandfather slapped his forehead then glared at his older daughter.

“Despite her betrayal…she is still my daughter, just like you.”

“Lies, she is nothing like me! She is a filthy sympathizer, a weakling, and a fool. One can only hope that her child leads a different life.” Mina snarled, pulling her son down the hall.

“What has become of my family?” Mr. Kotara thought achingly.

At exactly twelve in the afternoon the two men met at Koji’s. It was a westernized place filled with sports televisions and two stages for karaoke. At the moment the place was packed with chatting teenagers. After clearing his throat the other male started to talk business. But at the time, none of it concerned Stephen. All he could think about was being with Mimi; that soon one day they would let him go home. A short old woman stepped over and took their drink orders creating a dense silence after her departure. At that it seemed like an appropriate time to ask questions.

“So Henry, have you heard about Mimi—“

“Who is Mimi?” The lanky man questioned, looking as though he was truly pondering.

“My damn fiancée.” Stephen replied irritably.

“Look don’t hassle me.” Henry groaned, rubbing his chin. “There are more important things than some woman—“

“She isn’t some woman. When I return to New York I want to be able to hold her. She is the one I want to settle down with. Hopefully have children of our own.”

“Give it up. It has been ten whole years. Do you really think she waited for you? Now come on—“The man paused when the waitress returned with their drinks. He gave her a forced smile then returned to the conversation at hand. “—Steph…man you have to let her go. Mimi is free and safe away from our sins.”

“I can’t give her up.” Mr. Rodgers croaked, while taking off his glasses. Swiftly he wiped away his few tears and put the bifocals back on. “Looks like our guests made it.”

Two men approached their table, both armed with visible weapons. One of them was about average height and had prickly black hair. He wore a pure white suit with eagle cuffs. He greeted everyone with, “Good Afternoon” before sitting next to Stephen. The next to take his seat was a maple skinned male with a freshly trimmed fade. He decided not to talk, but simply shook everyone’s hand with his heavily jeweled fingers.

“Akuma, meet Eichi and Tachi they will be giving us their support.”

“And what do they want from us in return.” Stephen inquired, as he reached for his beverage.

“We want only your word that you will keep the peace with our small and humble clans. That a small dividend of spoils of course.” The white suited Eichi replied.

“Of course.” Henry smiled, pulling a large wad of cash from his pocket. “Wasn’t there another clan that wished to aide us?”

“Yes.” Tachi grumbled. “But as usual he is late.”

Matzo pushed through the hordes of people trying to escape the tailing Riku. No one was supposed to be coming with him. But if he left the boy alone and something happened to him, it would be the end of him. Sighing he paused in his tracks allowing the boy to collide into him. Rubbing his prickly chin he thought hard on what to do. Just then he remembered what he had overheard. Smirking he stooped down to get eye level with the boy.

“Are you really half Italian?”

“Yes that’s what my mom said.” Riku responded dryly. “Why would she lie about that?”

The blond male smiled and grabbed the boys arm. In a matter of seconds his fast paced walk became a sprint. Riku shut his tightly letting his legs figure out correct movements. Next thing he knew the hot air morphed into a cool climate. Gradually he opened his eyes and took in the scenery of the busy eatery. Matzo lead him over to a table that had four men all conversing. All of them seemed insensitive and dreadfully unstable. His uncle pulled up two chairs.

“Sit down Riku.”

“Okay.” The boy said trying to move his limp legs. “I-I can’t.”

All of the men looked at them furiously; the man dressed in white was so upset he appeared cross eyed. Suddenly they heard a scoff come from Stephen’s mouth. He stood up and extended his hand.

“You are from New York aren’t you?”

Trying to stop his arm from quaking Riku grasped his palm and shook it.

“Yes.”

“Guys you can trust him. He’s new to the clan and clear from any suspicion. Plus he is half Italian.” Matzo grinned, sitting down.

“So you want to be a gangster.” Stephen questioned, his gloomy eyes peering into the child’s.

“It’s not by choice.” The child glared at his guardian.

“It wasn’t my choice to be here either. What’s your name kid?”

“It’s Riku.”

“For now you can address me as Akuma. Come on take a seat, no one will harm you here.” Stephen forced a smile, while getting back into his chair.

A/N: So what did you guys think? Please tell me in a review. Even if you skimmed. Love giving critiques? Send some my way. I need as much help as I can get in improving my abilities. Also I want to thank the following individuals for reviewing: Kalista Jia, Melissa Norvell, Mira James, and P.D. Enriquez.

!!Thank you so much for your support!!

Much love and Many Hugs

~Niki~