Hello, this is a 2-part one-shot (so two-shot?) VF fanfic Requested by Deadlycake.
Was going to make it one, but thought I might as well post the first part and see how it goes. Let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
A young man stood at the pinnacle of Mount Takao, overlooking the scenic view of Tokyo.
"Father, I'm finally here. In your hometown,Tokyo. Somewhere in this city, I will find my mother."
He looked down at the city, taking in the place he had dreamed of since he was young. Letting the image burn into his memory. He took his late father's camera out of his backpack, tracing the lines of it as he remembered all the times his father held it. It was the one thing he never left the house without.
Father, this camera was the one thing you never left the house without. And now, its your memento.
He held up the camera towards Tokyo and like so many times in the past month, he looked through his viewfinder, zoomed, focused and snapped. Capturing Tokyo within the beauty of the day's sunrise. He loved the way the camera portrayed the world. The way it felt in his hands. The way the weight of it was a constant reminder of his father. A man who loved his son more than anything in the world.
It was in these environments where they shared most of their memories, in the wild, surrounded by nature and beauty. It was only recently where he was permitted to join him on his more eccentric trips. Feeling at home, he spent the next few hours walking around and down the mountain. Taking countless pictures of everything that made up Mount Takao.
"I need a job."
"We don't got any work for youngsters."
"I've come from abroad, I already graduated high-school. And I didn't come here with nothing."
He took out a small binder from his bag and handed it to the boss.
"This is..."
"My own work. Photographs I've taken in the last month while I traveled."
The chief looked up to the young man.
"This is good work. I haven't seen this kind of quality since my father's time. You've got skills boy. Alright, I'll tell you what. If you can get me shots with this kind of quality, I'll use you."
"Thank you Chief."
"Welcome to Headline Magazine Ryuuta-kun. Mayumi!"
"Yes! A young slender women looked up from her papers and headed towards them. Chief C, who's this?"
"This is your new partner, show him the ropes."
The woman took a step forward, taking a closer look at her new partner.
"Hi, I'm Takao Mayumi, you can call me Mayu."
"Glad to make your acquaintance Mayu-san, I'm Takaba, Takaba Ryuuta."
"Ryuuta-kun, I would have liked to take it easy on your first day, but we got a scoop to chase. Are you ready to head out now?"
"Of course!"
"Hahaha, excited are we, its great to be young."
"Asami-sama, are you sure?"
"Its time Kei, I cannot afford to wait any longer. Bring them to Sion tomorrow. I will choose one after we test them.'
"...Hai, Asami-sama "
Kirishima took the empty glass from the desk, he could see the weariness in his old friend's demeanor. These last 17 years have taken a toll on him. Especially in these last 10 years. On the day he gave up the search, the man named Asami Ryuuichi changed.
To think it all came about from a simple misunderstanding. A small fight that one would normally overlook. How one man could shaken his old friend to the core, it was something none of us could have anticipated. Not when that friend was Asami Ryuuichi, the man who controlled Japan's underworld.
I knew it then, but Ryu, you really loved him didn't you.
"Ryu, try to get some sleep, you've been pushing yourself too much lately. We're not as young as we used to be."
"Ya..."
He took one more look at his friend before leaving the penthouse. Heaving a low sight as he headed to the elevator, he was dreading what was to come.
17 years... its already been so long? If feels like it was just yesterday. As if at any moment now I would hear the boy's voice and see him running down the hallway.
17 YEARS AGO...
"Kirishima-san! Good evening!"
"You seem like you're in a good mood Takaba-san, enjoyed your day off with Ryu?"
Takaba's cheeks became crimson as last night's and the day's memories replayed themselves.
"Kei-san!"
"Hahaha! I was just teasing, we all know you enjoyed it. He's been busy these days, so its long overdue."
"...ya, it was good to have him home. Thanks for opening up his schedule."
"Anytime. not literally thought."
"Hahaha, I know."
"Headed out to work?"
"Ya, Mitarai's waiting for me, see you later!"
"Don't do anything reckless!"
"I know!"
He ran past Kirishima and into the elevator, feeling refreshed and energized.
"Good Evening Kei, care for a drink?"
"Looks like we need to give you breaks more often if it puts everyone in a good mood."
"Hahaha, my kitten is adorable, you should have seen him today."
"No, I really shouldn't."
"Look, he even got me a present."
Asami took a small box from the table, opened the lid to show a golden wrist watch with leather straps.
"A Vacheron watch, how did the boy manage to get his hands on this?"
"I asked the same question, looks like he one of his clients wanted to repay him for his help, but instead of taking an item, he got a discount for this watch."
"That's not a normal discount, that client must be connected to the Vacheron company. And? you're happy because he got you a gift?"
"It's our five year anniversary since we met, is what he said. surprising me with a gift while looking so cute and sexy-"
"Please stop. I got it already, too much info."
"You're no fun."
"Anyway, we should head out to the meeting, the devil swan's are waiting."
"Shame, would have liked to take another day off, but I guess this can't wait any longer, not when they threaten my kingdom. Let's go."
"Ryu. Will you not tell him? Wouldn't he understand? Its been five years after all. And he probably already has an idea so-"
"Kei, drop it. This and that are two separate things. I will not allow him to be tainted by this side of the world."
"But who says he will? Wouldn't' you prefer to have him stand next to you?"
"It has nothing to do with him."
"...Ryu..."
"I will protect him no matter what. To do that, he needs to stay in the center of this kingdom without knowing he is there. And anyone who dares threaten it will pay a steep price. Whether they are swans or devils."
"Mayu-san, the chief's father is Mitarai-san correct?"
"That's right, do you know him?"
"No...my father did. Do you know how I could meet him?"
They sat in a car outside a hotel, waiting for a politician to come out. Ryuuta held his camera firmly in his hands, ready to take the shots within a given moment. Mayu left her camera on the dashboard as she sat with a laptop, keeping up to date with her contacts and gathering more info.
"...Ryuuta-kun, you said you lived abroad until recently, so you're father probably didn't know. Mitarai-san passed away last year."
"...I...see. Sorry."
"No reason to say sorry. why did you want to see him?"
"My father passed away a month ago."
"Oh no... I'm so sorry."
"Thanks, we traveled the world together while he did freelance work. I rarely ever heard him talk about Japan, but on the rare occasions he did, he would talk about the time he worked as a criminal photographer, about people and clients he met. On a few occasions, he talked about Mitarai-san, how they would work together on assignments. That's why...I thought he could help."
"Help you?"
"I-I'm looking for my mother. My father's dying word was the name Asami."
"Asami? do you know anything else about her?"
"...no. My father avoided Japan as if his life depended on it. He stubbornly refused to even take a connecting flight if it meant landing here. He rarely said anything about her."
"Mayu! he's out."
Takaba took shot after shot, capturing the politician leaving the hotel with a young girl in his arms
"Keep taking the photos, this is just a cover up."
"A cover up? Weren't we after him with an underage girl?"
"I'll bet you she's just over that age. Its a decoy."
A few minutes later, just as Mayu predicted, two men came out of the hotel holding a brown envelope, they walked by the politician, handing him the envelope in the process.
"Did you get it?"
"Every part."
"Hahaha, perfect! Now this will be a story!"
"But who were the two men?"
"Drug dealers. Our little politician is working with the underworld. Let's head back to the office for now."
Mayu put her laptop away, started the car and drove back onto the main street.
"Impressive, so this is what its like to work in this field."
"This is nothing, the rush you get from chasing criminals is thrilling, its unlike anything else. You'll see. So back to the topic, did you not ask?"
"ask?"
"Did you not ask? about your mother?"
"Oh. I did, only once. When I was a child, I asked him if I had a mother and where she was. He told me that she was gone. I took that as she was no longer alive."
"Why?"
"...his expression. It was the only time in my life i was that expression on him. It's hard to explain, it was a mixture of pain and sadness and something else. It broke me to look at him, my father was always bright and strong, so seeing him like that was hard. That's when it clicked, the reason he avoided Japan, it was because it took away the person he loved. Or so I thought."
"And you only found out the truth in his last moment."
"ya... in his final moment, he said her name with such sadness and longing that I realized how wrong i was. It wasn't said in a way that he would soon see her in the after life, but in a way that said I'm sorry for leaving you behind. That's how i knew, that she's alive."
"I don't know what to say, he must have had a reason to leave, if he still loved her so much."
"Ya, I agree. That's why I came to Japan, I believe she is still here since its the only place of earth he avoided."
"Coming all this way to find your mother, what a son you are."
"She's my only family now. And... i want to know more, about my father. I realized after I lost him. That i knew almost nothing about him and his past."
"Alright Ryuuta-kun! Tell me more about your father later and I'll look into his past. I'm going to help you reunite you with your family! "
"Why?"
"Because family is important."
He could see her kindness and warmth, and wondered if that's how a mother would be.
"Thank you."
Suoh sat outside a coffee shop early in the morning, enjoying his quiet breakfast. Something he found himself doing a lot lately. Work was going well, other than the few idiots causing small problems, Japan's underworld was completely in Asami's control. He too could feel and see the changes that time and loss brought to his old friend. It was not something he liked to watch.
I'm tired. Today's the day and yet I'm dreading it. I don't know why I hate the idea of Ryu adopting a child. But I do.
He looks around him, at the people with their children, with their loved ones.
Ryu, I wanted you to have a family of your own, to have a loved one by your side. But adopting for the sake of Sion...will that make you happy?
From the corner of his eyes, something caught his attention, running across the park opposite the cafe was a young man. His blond hair reflected the morning sunlight, his slender body re-awakened old memories. Based solely on instincts, he got up from his chair and ran after the young man.
It can't be. But what if... I hope it is. Please, let it be him.
Crossing the street in a hurry, Suoh forced cars to stop suddenly as not to hit him. He got a glimpse of the young man leaving the park per the far side exit.
Can I catch up?
He picked up his pace as he ran past old couples and young children playing in the park. Leaving the park, he found himself on a main street, crowded with the afternoon rush.
Damn, lost him...
He walked along the street, looking left to right, trying to catch another glimpse of him, just as he was about to give up and head back, a women's voice forced him to turn.
"Takaba-kun! Hurry!"
He was the young man enter a familiar publisher's company with an older women.
"Headline Publisher... It can't be."
Unsure of what to do, he decided to turn back around and head to Sion.
"Suoh!"
"Huh? What?"
"What's wrong with you today? You look like you've seen a ghost. I've been calling your name for a while now."
"A ghost? Is that what it was?"
"...what nonsense are you spouting? The boss is calling us, let's go."
"Ya..."
It can't be. It was probably my imagination, someone who resembled him or...a ghost.
"Asami-sama, here are the children's info."
"Hmm... I guess it doesn't make much difference. Kirishima, have all five take the tests, we will choose out of the top two."
"Hai Asami-sama.
"Suoh, come with me to- What's wrong Suoh?"
"...Ryu, I could be mistaken, it could be someone else or even a ghost but..."
"Suoh? What happened?"
"...I think I saw Takaba Akihito."
The air in the room stilled, it was a name none of them spoke of for years, a taboo name.
"You...think?"
"I was having breakfast at a coffee shop when I saw him across the street, so I chased him. After I thought I lost him, I heard a women call him Takaba-san, as I turned around, he was entering a company building, Headline Publishers, Takaba-san's old company. But, he was young! I couldn't get a close look at him, but its as if he didn't age at all."
"Ryu, should I send some men to find the boy and make sure?"
"No. push back today's meetings, have someone else test the children, we're going to give this look-a-like a visit."
"Hai!"
"Takaba-kun, thanks for your help, sorry for calling you in on your day off."
"Anytime Mayu-san, I'm glad I was able to be of help. But why have you started calling me by my surname?"
"Ah, I thought if I called you that, someone would recognize it... is that childish?"
"A little, more like, I doubt it would work since its a pretty common name."
"...Right. That's what I thought too... So, Ryuuta-kun, are you headed home now or would you like to go for drinks?"
"hahaha, I wish, but I'm still underage."
"Ah, sorry, I keep forgetting. You're too mature for your age."
"I'll take that as a compliment, I'll head back for today, but wouldn't mind getting some lunch or dinner next time.
"Sounds good, have a safe trip back. sorry I can't take you."
"No worries, I don't mind taking the train. See you tomorrow!"
"Bye!"
He waved goodbye as he stepped into the chilled evening street. As he headed towards the station, he felt a drop of rain on his nose. He quickened his steps as the rain picked up.
Oh come on, you couldn't wait till I reached the station at least. I swear the weather report said sunny all day today. 'Never trust the weatherman', I know father, I know, you were right.
Not wanting to get soaked, he turned into an alleyway, deciding to take a shortcut to the station when three men in suits stopped him in his tracks.
Oh right. 'Don't take shortcuts into alleyways and parks at night'. Sorry father, forgot about that one. What was the other one again? Oh I remember. 'Don't stay still when faced with dangerous looking men'. I guess these three Yakuza looking men wearing suits and for some reason have umbrellas would be what he meant right. Now then...what to do.
"Good Evening, Takaba Ryuuta-kun"