Author's Note: Hi! So, I meant to post this chapter about a week and a half ago, but I uploaded it and got distracted. My bad! Plus, I got distracted with another Voltage game (Scandal in the Spotlight; has anyone else played it yet? Thoughts?). I'm taking a small break from my other fandoms to do this story, I want to get along in the plot before I get mega busy in real life as we enter winter, so if I get some encouraging words from my readers, I'll maybe post weekly? hinthint.

As always, I write this story for myself, but choose to share. Because if you're all like me, you're on the hunt for stories that draw you in! Please leave reviews to let me know you're reading and what you think. They are what tells me I should keep posting.

Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I only own people like Suzumi and Haruka. The rest is Voltage, Inc. Lyrics as stated.


"Holy water cannot help you now

A thousand armies couldn't keep me out

I don't want your money, I don't want your crown

See, I have to tell you, I've come to burn your kingdom down."

Seven Devils - Florence and the Machine

Seven: Contract Talks

"Talk?"

"Yes. I've been gone for too long and have had to put off a lot. But it needs to be said now." Soryu looked her in the eye, leaning forward. "Are you okay with doing it right now?"

Suzumi bit her lip. "Yes?"

Soryu stood. "Let me get something, hold on." He felt her eyes follow him to his room and back. He sat the three folders he'd brought with him on the coffee table in between them, pushing them towards her.

"What's this?"

"This is all information about you, Suzumi Fukui. This includes your purchase paperwork from the auction. It is also the information on Natsumi Takara, including her death certificate." He slid one folder to the side. He tapped the next one. "This is information about your family." He paused when it came to the final folder. Making eye contact, he spoke his next words carefully so that she would understand.

"This last folder is what Inui found out about the Osiris Brethren, what they had on you, and what we hope to accomplish with your help."

"What do you want from me?" Suzumi's brow furrowed and she frowned as she looked Soryu in the eye.

Soryu stacked the first two files on one another and held them out to her. He stayed silent until she reluctantly took them and placed them in her lap.

"Those are for you. Those are peace offerings. I want you to trust me, to trust Inui who may come around more often, and I want to be able to trust you." His put his hand palm down on the last file. "If we can trust each other, we can get Taichi and his spoiled son out of Japan. We could collapse their empire."

Soryu's eyes were sharp. He saw the her knuckles go white as they gripped the folders, he saw her breathing hitch, and he swore he could even see the wheels in her head turning. He'd read the folder about her life before meeting him. She was smart, clever. He knew she'd have a caveat or two and he was okay with that.

"Why? Why me? What do I get out of it?"

A smirk grew on Soryu's lips. Her file didn't disappoint.

"Beyond obvious revenge, they are rivals of the Ice Dragons. They are a threat to what I am trying to build, they are a cancer in the world of the mafia. Their main headquarters is here in Japan and if we can get rid of them here, it's one less pig I have to deal with.

"You are special. As long as you are willing, you can participate in ways to help the Ice Dragons with this mission of ours. You are smart, your face is known by Taichi, and you are a dangerous weapon against him in his eyes. And I know you heard things while you were under their hospitality."

Suzumi grimaced but didn't deny it.

"As for what you get out of it, when it's over, obviously your freedom. Anything you accumulate living with me, and the Ice Dragons will help you find a place to live so that you can restart your life. Do you have anything else you would like to add or change?"

Frowning, she said, "Do I have to chose now? Can I decide later?"

Soryu paused, but nodded. "Yes. This won't happen overnight, or in a week or two even. It may take months. So long as your request is outrageous."

Suzumi nodded. "Okay. What do I have to do?"

Soryu smiled, but it was colder than she would have liked. She chalked it up to the mobster in him. "Tomorrow, we'll be going to see Inui at the Ice Dragon headquarters."

/*\

Suzumi woke up early the next morning, just before the sun rose. She wanted to read the information in them last night, but she'd been afraid. In sleep, she seemed to have found the courage she needed to open the first one that Soryu had given her. The one with her old information and the newer, forged papers. Clicking on the bedside lamp, she flipped it open and looked through the stuff she knew already. Though, she could definitely say that it was almost like reading about a stranger.

Natsumi Takara lived an average life with her parents, who were very middle class. Her father was an upper management cog in the machine of a technology company and her mother worked twice a week at a bookstore as a hobby, but otherwise was a normal housewife. Natsumi didn't have siblings but she seemed happy with her large group of friends. Many seemed to have grown up with her from a young age. Her school grades showed she was smart, excelling in most areas. She graduated a specialized Tokyo University having studied language and communication.

There were various pictures that must have come from her parents' house and her own apartment. Looking through them, she saw her life progress in spurts, including the photo Soryu had shown her the night she'd been purchased. That same report was in the folder, though very rudimentary compared to the pages of information he'd found after. It was funny, of all the things about the past, of Natsumi's life, Suzumi only missed her hair. She fingered the short curls wistfully. It was growing slowly, but nowhere near the length it had been. It would be years before it got that long again. This folder had information about her new identity, but seeing as she rarely saw anyone outside Soryu's circle, she didn't see the need to read it diligently yet.

Setting aside the first folder, she picked up the second. This supposedly had information on her parents. This information worried her most. What happened to her family when she disappeared?

Apparently, her father had also vanished. Though, his disappearance was of his own volition. He quietly divorced her mother and moved out. Her mother moved to California where her sister lived, unable to stay where her daughter disappeared and her husband left her. Soryu's thorough search had exact addresses for both of her parents, though. It seemed as though the Souma's had left her family to be, despite Ren's selfishly grabby nature when it had come to Natsumi. There was also bits of information on her closest friends and even her old apartment. Naturally, it had since changed hands. Her old items had been placed in storage, which was being paid by her mother still.

The last piece of paper in this folder, while not an official form, declared Natsumi Takara dead. There was a note scribbled on this copy, by someone other than Soryu. Perhaps Inui.

Family and friends have not been informed yet. Pending leader's instruction.

"Suzumi? Are you awake?"

There was a knock on her door following the pleasant voice. Hiding the files under her pillows and feeling a bit ridiculous for doing so, she called back after a moment.

"Yes? Good morning…"

"I'm coming in!"

Inui poked his head in the room as the door opened, his face smiling despite the early morning hour.

"You're up early. The sun's just coming up!"

Suzumi grinned and sat up straighter in bed. "I could say the same for you. How are you?"

"I'm great! I came to take you to the office. Mr. Oh had to leave early this morning due to an emergency. He said we could stop for breakfast on the way, isn't that awesome?" Inui looked delighted at the chance to go out and smiled large for Suzumi.

"Oh… Okay. When do we leave?"

"Soon as you're ready! I'll be in the living room when you're done, Suzumi!"

The door shut with a click of finality and Suzumi was struck with a sense of whiplash. Inui was a kind man, but was easily excitable. He was the complete opposite of Soryu, who was reserved with his words and rarely spoke loud. Suzumi wasn't sure which she preferred, but if she ever needed to be woken up quickly, she knew Inui could do the job.

Half an hour later, the two left the Tres Spades, passing Eisuke in the lobby. The owner raised a brow at her being so far from the penthouses but didn't say a word. He just continued to talk to the well-dressed man in front of him, plastering on what looked to her to be a completely fake smile. Her first steps outside the building were not earth shattering or remarkable, but Suzumi relished the feel of the breeze as it blew across her skin. She ignored Inui's confused glance and gestured for him to lead the way.

"This is the kind of place you like to eat at, Inui?"

Suzumi looked around at the frilly cafe that he'd taken her to, her eyes filled with pastels and lace. It wasn't necessarily a themed cafe, but the overall vibe had Suzumi giving Inui side glances.

"I thought I'd bring you here, since you've been in the hotel this whole time. You like girly things, right?" Inui's smile was big as he ate a large piece of waffle. He looked very proud of himself for thinking of the cafe and Suzumi didn't have the heart to tell him it was a little over the top.

"Thank you, Inui. Though, should we be eating so leisurely? We've been here almost an hour…"

Inui choked, face turning red, and Suzumi had to pat him on the back. "Mr. Oh's waiting for us! I forgot! Are you done?" When she nodded, he threw some money on the table and stood. "Let's go. The office is close, but we've kept him waiting!"

A rushed ten minute jog found both of them standing in the doorway of the Ice Dragon's office, Soryu glaring at Inui with his arms crossed and Inui bowing repeatedly. "What took you so long? I sent you out almost three hours ago. It's already ten."

Suzumi bowed as well, "I'm sorry. Inui was being nice and we got distracted." She heard Soryu sigh and looking up, she saw his face relax and his hand scratching the back of his neck.

"It's fine. Inui, go do your duties. Suzumi, come with me." Soryu motioned for her to follow and the two of them left a bowing Inui at the door.

He led her through a sitting room where two hard-looking men sat, bent over paperwork and talking strategy. They both paused as she and Soryu came through, looks of confusion crossing their features. Soryu ignored them and lead her to a hallway and to a partially opened door. Allowing her to enter first, he breezed in behind her and shut the door with a snap.

"Sit."

Suzumi immediately complied, sitting in one of the simple office chairs that faced the leather one Soryu was lowering himself into behind the desk. To her, it looked to be a clean, clutterless office. The only sign of use were the stacks of paperwork on his desk, still neatly piled despite covering the majority of the space. Across from her, Soryu sighed and rubbed at his eyes.

"Next time you're with Inui, keep him on task? I'm sure you've noticed by now he's…" He trailed off, looking for the right word.

"Perky?"

"Distractible. He shows his age. He's a valuable member of the Ice Dragons but we can't afford for him to get distracted by your presence and wool gather when he should be working. Just remind him of what you're supposed to be doing and he'll snap back in place."

Soryu sighed once more but quickly straightened up in his seat. He sorted through some papers in front of him and pulled out a thin packet, tossing it over to Suzumi. She looked down at the packet and her eyes skated over the first page.

...drug trafficking through Tokyo-Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza…

...human trafficking in greater Kyoto, Shiga…

...plans to move to Hong Kong…

...possible Prime Minister backdoor support…

...arms deal with ...

"What...What is this?" Suzumi couldn't tear her eyes from the words, but she found herself unable to process what they meant.

"Those are Taichi's current operations. Some he's launched and abandoned, letting them run wild while reaping the rewards, others are in the works. I have one that concerns me the most, but gutting the Osiris Brethren from the face of the Earth will take care of the other vile things he's doing, too." Soryu steepled his fingers and leaned on his elbows, watching Suzumi's reactions. Her face was painted with horror as she flipped through more of the details in the pages that followed. The more she read, the angrier and more violent her page turns back and forth became. A smile grew on his lips; she was going to be perfect for his plans.

"What do I have to do?"

Her face was pale, save two pink spots of anger on her cheeks. Her hands gripped the papers with white knuckles and her back was straight as a board. Suzumi radiated fear, rage, and determination and for some reason, it pleased Soryu that she seemed to understand the situation.

"I'm going to put you directly in front of Taichi's face, flaunt that you're in my fold and force his hand."


A/N: Thank you!