Yao woke up just as the sun was dawning through the cracks in the curtains. He sat up and looked towards the sound of drawers shutting and shuffling feet to see Ivan in a white button up and black dress pants. The Russian regarded Yao's sleepy face while deft fingers tied a knot in a dark purple tie. Ivan made his way back to the four poster placing a kiss onto his bedmate's warm shoulder, "Go back to sleep дорогая," he chuckled softly, "there's a coffee pot in the bathroom."
"Aiyah you strange man," Yao mumbled weakly as his mind flicked back to sleep mode. He barely registered one last chortle and the heat at his side disappearing before black.
~^.^~
Antonio zipped through the room on his new chair smiling brightly. Lovino had to admit the Spaniard had gotten rather good in the hour he'd had the thing.
He scowled as Tony quickly took a sharp turn around their bed teetering dangerously on one wheel.
"Hey bastard be careful! You just got better and I'm not patching you up a second time!"
Antonio's eyes shown brighter and he laughed happily, "Oh Lovi you know I wouldn't do that to you! Especially since you got me this fancy new chair," He wheeled towards the younger man smiling softly, "My Lovi takes such good care of me," he teased.
"Sh-shut up dumbass! I do not! It would just make me look bad as leader if I didn't take care of my people!"
Antonio pulled Lovino into a hug and the Italian couldn't bring himself to refuse it, "Of course Lovi," the cripple murmured, "of course."
The seconds ticked by and Lovino finally sighed pulling away to sit on his own wheel-less chair. "We need to do something about the Russians; we can't let this last attack go unpunished."
Antonio hung his head sadly, "If that's what you think is best Lovi." The action didn't go unnoticed. Lovino quieted immediately putting his hand under his lover's chin gently forcing him to look up.
"Don't be like that bastard, I'm not leading these people as 'Lovino' or 'Lovi.' When I lead them I'm 'Romano,' get it? So don't look like that Antonio, please don't. I can't do this without you. I need you to support me, please, you need to do your best too, for me."
Verde eyes stared in shock before they closed in contentment, "I promise Lovino… and Romano."
"Good," the Italian muttered gruffly stepping back and turning to face away, "but back on topic we need to keep an eye on Braginski. We'll wait for an opening to strike and take it."
Tony nodded, "You need to get rid of Yao too. He's going to cause problems for you if you don't."
"Yao? I thought he was on our side?"
"No, he's on his own side. He wants to take down all the crime syndicates in the city, maybe even the world."
"That fucker," Lovino muttered, "If anyone can do it it's him too," then louder, "What have we go from intelligence?"
"Nothing much, there are some strange divisions going on in the Appetitores. They know I'm working for you now so they won't let me back in."
"You were with them," the boss mumbled, "I'd wondered."
Tony shrugged, "I can't get much but I do have some old informants that can get me something."
~^.^~
"Big bruder this is not a request," Natalia was calm for once, "I am taking over this exchange. You need to be safely far away with an alibi. You cannot afford for things to turn out poorly and I am deeming it unsafe for you to be present at this exchange so close to the last one."
Ivan felt a stab of pride at his sister's logic, she'd been taught well. He was worried about her yes but she could obviously handle this on her own.
Still he had to make her fight for it just a little.
"The proximity to the last run is what makes this one perfect though сестренка. No one will be expecting it."
"I am taking this over," she stood firm knowing Ivan couldn't really argue with her.
"Fine you win. I trust you and your abilities," he leaned forward kissing her forehead, "Удачи сестра."
~^.^~
You'll like dis boss man," a heavily accented voice cheerfully greeted Vash when he picked up the ringing phone.
"Yes, yes," he answered impatiently, "get on with it!"
"The bunnies are having a meeting with the strays tonight!" the voice laughed obnoxiously.
"Thank you Matthias," he rung out and hung up.
Vash tiredly rubbed his temples.
He really had no idea how he was going to make this work. The Gazette was down to so few members he could trust and Yao was unreliable. Gupta was hardly a field worker, Lili was too inexperienced, and Angelique had been MIA for days. The Island Mercenaries were just that and not reporters.
Ivan was getting his wish; Vash's newspaper was falling to shambles.
Helplessly he watched the room's light move and become brighter then dim again. He himself remained frozen.
Eventually Yao stepped in cautiously shutting the door and sitting down.
"The Russians are getting another shipment tonight. The group transporting the drugs is more like a bunch of thugs tha-"
"I am aware of this Mr. Wang," Vash's voice interrupted hard and cold. Yao paused before continuing.
"Braginski isn't heading the exchange. His elder sister who usually assumes leadership has disappeared leaving-"
"Ivan's unpredictable younger sister in charge," Zwingli breathed, "Where did you get this information?"
"You know where."
The Swiss eyed a red splotch on Yao's neck and nodded.
"We can work with this," he stated, "You can go undercover and," Yao was already taking notes hanging off of his boss's every word, "Then we can-"
Yao's cellphone rang. They paused to stare at each other. Yao checked the caller ID then answered.
"Hello?" he asked confused, why is Mei calling?
"Yao? Yao! Bad news! The Appetitores infiltrated the Alternatives and turned them against the Russians!" Mei screamed loud enough to the whole room to hear.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me Wang Yao I know you have info on the drug run! The Appetitores has it set up to fail. Braginski's sister and a lot more are going to die if we don't do something."
"Ivan will tear this town apart looking for his sister's killer," Yao shuddered.
"A lot more than mafia will die in that case," Vash agreed.
The taller of the two looked in horror at his boss as Mei continued to yell over the line.
"I'm parked three blocks from your office!"
"I have to do something," he pleaded.
Vash sat back resigned loss in his eyes.
A nasty pit had formed in both their stomachs.
"Do what you need to," he answered quietly.
Yao nodded, "I'll still get you a story!" He promised.
"Mei tell me exactly where you are!"
~^.^~
The hot drinks gave off soft steam that rose and dissipated into the cool evening.
"Not long till your flight," Kasem smiled lightly. Katyusha said nothing through the many layers covering most of her face and body. She pulled her scarf down taking a bite of the churro Kasem offered. She tried to smile reassuringly but ultimately failed.
~^.^~
The cold sunset held no wonder over Natalia as she stepped out of her own dark purple Rolls Royce. From the outside the warehouse looked empty. Even on the inside the dim lighting lent to this image.
~^.^~
Yao's lungs burned as he ran down streets and through alleys. Mei was stuck in tragic and the warehouse yard was fenced and locked up anyway.
~^.^~
Ivan sat at dinner with Toris, laughing at every tremor and spilled drink, completely unaware of the trouble brewing on the opposite side of town.
~^.^~
"Ciao bella, how are you this fine evening?"
Natalia pulled off her gloves passing them over to a lackey, "Cut the pleasantries Luciano, neither of us wants to be here," she snapped coolly descending the metal staircase, her heels clicking with every step, "You have the product I assume?"
The dark skinned Italian's eyes hardened and his smile froze, "Yes of course," he jerked his head a tall beefy blond, "Lutz!" The man handed Natalia a clipboard. "Everything is listed there, and the goods are through the door to your left. I do so hope you are satisfied."
The Belarusian looked over the paperwork lazily. "It is….serviceable," she answered finally.
"This will get us in with a larger circle as promised?"
Natalia's nose went into the air and she looked at Luciano as if he were a rat in her kitchen. She did not notice the men's fists clenching at her haughtiness.
"That will be discussed at a later date with my brother."
A red eyed Japanese snarled.
"We have a problem with that bella," Luciano's voice dripped with venom and his smile was crooked, "If your fratello is in charge why isn't he here?"
"In an attempt to throw authorities off he is elsewhere serving as a decoy."
She heard the clicking of guns and men started emerging from the dark, all of them haggard and dangerous.
"You see bella working with you just doesn't seem to have any benefits for us. Obviously we aren't worth much if the boss man himself isn't here and you Russians aren't known for keeping promises."
Natalia cursed as she watched their exits being cut off. Luciano moved forward brandishing a knife aggressively. "There are some that would pay quite a lot of money for your head."
~^.^~
Yao threw on the oversized women's jacket Mei had thrust at him and pulled the drawstrings tight.
If they saw his face the consequences would be deadly.
~^.^~
Natalia's lungs burned as they pumped the cold night air through their system. The memory of her dead men threatened to take over and cause a break-down. She comforted herself with the knowledge that they had died honorably, standing their ground and protecting her.
She burst through a door screeching to a halt as the smell of dead hit her nose.
These are not my men…they're "Alternatives?" she whispered hoarsely.
"Natalia!" someone yelled and grabbed her arm. She drew her knife only to see her brother's newest любовник.
"What are you doing?" she hissed tiredly.
"Don't ask now," Yao snarled, "just run."
Natalia had to hand it to the reporter, for such a slender man he was particularly forceful and fast.
They were quickly approaching a railing that Natalia realized was leading to the harbor.
"Jump!" Yao commanded yanking her up with him.
For a second all they knew was the whistling of the air in their ears. Then thundering crack broke through and Natalia's eyes widened. Red drops flew out behind her and she slumped dead weight against Yao.
Then they crashed into the frigid wall of the water.
Yao came up to the surface after he put as much distance between them and the shooters, yelling "SHIT!", and swimming through dark waters.
Mei swum out and helped him drag Natalia to the shore when they go within sight of her car.
Mei sped down the road while Yao cussed and examined his own three bullet scrapes.
"Where are we going to take her?" Mei yelled frustrated. "We can't take her to a hospital we'll end up in jail and we can't take her to Ivan, he'll kill us on the spot!"
Yao seethed snapping out, "Well unless you know a miracle worker in the city who won't rat us out for a couple bucks we're SCREWED."
Mei went quiet for a second. "We could ask Lili."
Yao stared, "Lili?!"
His sister nodded, "She can keep her mouth shut and she's tended her brother's wounds enough that she should be able to handle it."
"Doesn't she live with her brother?"
"Mostly yes but she does have her own apartment."
Yao sighed, "Do we have any other choices?"
~^.^~
"NO WAY!" Lili cried attempting to slam the door in their faces; Mei barely shoved herself into it in time. "She's nothing but trouble!"
"Come on Lili!" Yao pleaded, "Look at her! She isn't going to last long on her own!"
Lili glanced at Natalia her face like stone, her body stock still. Yao and Mei jumped as the girl threw her arms in the air and shrieked.
"FINE BRING HER IN!"
"Thank you Lili," Mei murmured.
"WHATEVER."
"Just make sure you call Ivan in the morning," Yao advised, "he should be cooled down by then."
"WHATEVER."
~^.^~
Natalia woke with a stiff feeling in her side. She sat up and then she felt the intense stinging pain. Gingerly she lay back down trying not to jostle the wound.
She remembered Yao and knew that if he had anything to do with it she was in a safe place, for some reason that man was not inclined to betray her brother.
She had theories on both Yao and Ivan but decided it was too soon to determine too much.
The door opened and the short girl from The Gazette walked in with water and orange juice.
"YOU!" Natalia hissed trying to back up rapidly.
"Oh calm down!" the girl snapped right back, "you're hurt and fighting isn't worth it right now!"
Confusion crossed Natalia's face and Lili relaxed some.
"Look," she started, "I know you basically hate everything I am and do but Yao trusts me to take care of you and I will." She snorted, "Besides, I'm such a sucker for injured things."
Calmly but no less confused Natalia let the girl replace her bandage. Not much talking was done after that.
The next morning Lili dropped Natalia off somewhere safe while she called her brother to come pick her up.
~^.^~
Usually Ivan was a man who could easily count his few blessings but right that second he was more irritated then relieved at his sister's return.
"Who saved you?!" he roared at Natalia.
She'd given up half an hour ago at arguing and instead stared straight ahead in tight lipped silence. In her head she pictured an awful blond girl who had shown surprising kindness despite the situation.
She owed it to her at least to keep her mouth shut. No debts here.
"How did the other shipment go?" she asked instead.
In truth it had gone well but Ivan didn't answer. Finally he gave up and growled at Francis to drive him to work.
He didn't look at his office as he entered and hung his coat on the door. When he did he couldn't see either his desk or chair. In their place he were a pile of roses, pink and white. Approaching he noticed at the center was a white card in fancy script reading "I'm sorry and I don't expect any favors."
When he saw the morning paper's headlines accompanied by a picture of the destroyed warehouse yard he understood.
The article's author was Yao Wang.
~^.^~
Riley took off down the hotel hallway having already directed Thomas and some of the others down a safer direction. Luciano and his immediate underlings lay dead in their rooms.
Damn these Russians are fast! He cursed.
A foot went out catching his ankle. He flew forward skinning his forearms on the rug. He turned coming face to face with cold steel.
"I wouldn't move if I were you mon ami."
More Alternatives were drug out and shoved down next to him.
A ridiculously tall male with white hair rounded the corner with a small grin. He studied Riley for a second.
"You I can work with," he grinned hugely," your boss had to pay but you were just following orders like a good little миньон."
He gestured at the effeminate blond and the gun lowered.
The tall man kneeled down staring into Riley's soul with his inhuman violet eyes, "Congratulations comrade, you've been promoted."
~^.^~
Lovino cussed furiously kicking his bedpost repeatedly.
"Those bastards!" he screamed.
"Lovi?" Antonio questioned quietly.
"They took the coke!"
"Uummm…"
"The fuckin Russians took our shipment!" Lovino screeched tossing his arms around wildly, "Not only ALL of the coke, but A THIRD of our total meth income, and HALF of the pot!"
"We sell marijuana?"
"YES WE FUCKING SELL MARAJUANA!"
Tony nodded slowly as he backed up and quickly wheeled out of the room.
~^.^~
The same day Khaki Undo released an obituary on the dead Alternatives Yao spotted Ivan leisurely walking across the street. Francis lagged behind him with a tall blond Yao didn't recognize.
Purple eyes met brown and acceptance flowed between them.
He found his apartment door slightly open when he arrived and an expensive basket of fruit and chocolate stared back at him when he entered. He face palmed but a small smile graced his lips.
"Aiyah."
Hello my lovelies did you miss me? Not my best chapter but it is important. The Alternates will come back later and we'll see was Lili and Natalia do ;)
Fratello- Italian for Brother
Bella- Italian for beautiful
Миньон- Russian for Minion
Любовник- Russian for Paramour or lover
Дорогая: Russian for sweetheart (Thanks fallen99 for pointing out I had forgotten to translate this!)
And apparently yes, China is taller than Switzerland
