It wasn't long before Yusuke got a message from his father. It wasn't long, just a name and the phrase, "Dumbledore's lackey." Since the only thing he'd had on his plate, beside destroying Voldemort's gumi, was finding out who was hexing him, and with what exactly, he knew what he needed to do. A quick note to Shiriusu-oji set up the first step.
He was going to have to deal with Dumbledore soon. He didn't want to have to kill the old man, it wasn't convenient. He didn't need to have to deal with the fallout from that particular piece of obvious foolishness. Dumbledore was a symbol of The Light. He, Yusuke, was not. As he'd said before, he was a shadow cast by shadows, and he liked it that way.
In order to do what he needed to do, he was going to need more time. A lot more time. Hermione would have a complete hissy fit, but he was going to skip classes. He wasn't sure which ones, yet, he'd have to think about it.
Yusuke got up and wandered into the bathroom. He was showering when he noticed that his protective bracelet was turning black. This meant that someone had cast another hex on him. He got out of the shower and padded, naked and soaking wet, to the full length mirror on the wall. He cast a diagnostic on himself and found that the honesty hex and another hex had been replaced, probably while he slept. He used a second spell to identify the second hex. It was one designed to make him more accepting of English ways and his English name. He sighed. He was beginning to get really tired of this sort of thing. And that made him angry. He couldn't remember who had said it first, but they really weren't going to like him when he was angry. He removed the spells and returned to his shower.
After a shower he always exercised, in this case he did a complete kata, watched Neville in his exercises then led Neville through a yoga routine that saw both of them panting and sweating. Yusuke plucked a cigaret from thin air and puffed a couple of times. "That tobacco you gave me is excellent. I'm saving it for special occasions." He smoked for a moment then continued, "You're doing very well. I'd put you up against any green belt. But I expect you to continue to improve at the same rate."
Neville grinned. "Well, thank you. I'll try my best."
Yusuke just nodded. "You always do. Run tomorrow?"
"Ok. Shower ... now." Neville sniffed himself. "Ugh!"
Yusuke waved his hand to cast a cleaning charm over both of them. He explained with a smirk. "So we don't stink poor Hermione out."
As they walked back to the dorm, Yusuke told Neville about the honesty hex. He knew he could trust Neville to keep his silence as well as come up with an idea of what to do about it.
Neville thought in silence for several meters then said, "You know who's doing it?"
"Chichi-ue said Fudge was sending an Unspeakable to do it. But ... I think Dumbledore dropped a hint or two. So, I'm turning Shiriusu-oji lose on Fudge. Dumbledore ... I don't want to mess with him, yet. As to the Unspeakable? What to do? Any ideas?"
Neville got a particularly evil smile on his round face. "Well, there's a muggle saying that even Gran knows. Turn about is fair play. Need an explanation?"
Yusuke blinked for a moment. "No. No, I don't. Now, all I need is to find the subject."
Under the Ministry For Magic an Unspeakable shivered; a sudden, violent, second long shake. When questioned he said, "Goose must have walked on my grave." then he went back to his work.
.
Remus Lupin spent some of his time getting Ken No Ie organized to suit him. The way the gaki had the place organized led to them running up and down stairs to the cellars a dozen times a day. The noise was annoying, to say the least. So staples were moved up to the pantry, and the boots and coats to the entry way.
The rest of his time, he spent haunting areas better not discussed in polite company. He paid for drinks, listened to rumors and threatened a few people. He didn't find out much of interest but he laid the groundwork for later. And, he hated to admit it, he did enjoy a good fight, especially if it was with some ignorant, poor pureblood. Not all purebloods were rich, Weasleys came to mind, nor were they all intelligent, Crabbe or Goyle for example.
Free drinks aside, many of the remaining gutter dogs were happy to talk to Remus. They didn't want anything to do with Him and were hopeful that Remus could find some way to protect them from being Shanghaied into His service. Remus recommended Neighborhood Watch style groups. He left organizing them up to the Knockturn Alley folks themselves.
Then he did something he'd always wanted to do. Now that he had Diplomatic Immunity, granted by Fudge himself; under protest to be sure, but granted none the less; he was going shopping.
His shopping trip was very successful. It started at Madam Malkin's Robes for Every Occasion.
He entered the shop and politely asked the 'pinner' if Madam was available. She was, but the pinner, the girl responsible for pinning up hems, said that she wasn't available to his 'sort'. He just bowed and left, only saying that it was too bad they didn't want his business. He left behind a mark that people in the know would recognize. Madam was to lose nearly half her business, the paying half.
His next stop was at a small shop which catered to a small clientele, mostly Aurors. He knew the clerk from the old days. He had been privileged to be given a set of their robes by James. He still had them, thread bare though they were. So, now, he was going to offer them a chance.
The journeyman tailor was happy to see a customer. The business had always operated on a thread, pun intended, Aurors being what they were, and the chance to dress someone attached to Harry Potter was something he wouldn't pass up. He was pulling his tape out of his pocket as he showed Remus to the measuring room.
It didn't take long for Sartor Needleman to take measurements. Then he asked what sort of robes Remus wanted. Remus explained exactly what he wanted. Snuff Brown linseywoolsy with cooling and warming charms, hex and water repellent, double layered robes with matching suit trousers and vest. After it was all written up, Mr Needleman sighed, "Well, are you sure?" Remus nodded. "Very well then." The total wasn't nearly what someone like Malfoy or Nott would have spent but it was considerable.
Remus just got out his money bag and paid in cash, on the spot. "I'll be back in ..." he raised an eyebrow.
"Three days. But we do offer free owl delivery." Mr Needleman waited while Remus considered this.
"Very well. The address is Ken No Ie, Hogsmead, Hogshead, Scotland." Remus left to the tinkle of the bell over the door. He marked this door as well. The business was to triple within the next 30 days. All paid in cash, in advance. Yusuke's arm was long.
.
Sirius Black was in his element. Pranking the entire Ministry For Magic was actually making him a bit giddy.
He and Yusuke had communicated via post box after Yusuke had gotten the letter from his father. He agreed with Yusuke that embarrassing Fudge was the first step in their mission.
Sirius had learned several things in Japan, including how to use their foci instead of a wand. He still carried a wand, and recommended that Yusuke do the same. Any hit-wizard or Auror worth his salt would go for the wand in an attempt to disarm them. This left them free to use their real focus to do some serious damage.
So, when he had his wand weighed and registered as he entered the Ministry, it didn't worry him at all. What he was about to do was not going to show later. No one in Britain knew how to cast Priori Incantatem on a ring. He wondered idly if it could even be done.
It didn't even bother him when the wand station attendant announced that he was keeping Sirius' wand. He'd return it when Sirius left. Sirius just laughed at him, that barking, maniacal laugh that had so annoyed Lily, and informed him that he had no 'just cause'. The man grumbled but gave it back with ill grace.
As he strolled through the Ministry, Sirius noted several things; the way the elevators opened, windows, odd doors that didn't seem to go anywhere and other oddities. Oddities even in the Wizarding world. He checked in at the Auror Desk, just to annoy whoever was on duty. He found that most of his old crowd couldn't even look at him. The few that could promised to get together with him within the next few days. He handed out cards with his floo address, owl mail directions and went on his way.
He didn't get far. Some young Auror Trainee saw him, and, not having read a memo in months, jumped him.
Now, jumping an ex-Auror Marauder who had been retrained by a Yakuza master assassin was really not good for your health.
The trainee jumped out of a doorway, yelled, "You're under arrest!" and went down like a ton of bricks.
Sirius had drawn his wand, barked, "Stupefy." and was tucking it back up his sleeve before the body hit the floor. He smiled at Moody, eyed the now unconscious trainee and said, "Clean up that mess, will you."
Moody eyed him for a moment then snorted, "Well, seems you remember your training. Get on with you. I'll be in touch, if I need to." He levitated the man into an upright position then flicked his wand. The man woke up, staggered then yelped as Moody grabbed him by one ear and dragged him away.
Sirius called after them, "You can find out where I am from someone. If you need me." Then he sauntered away, whistling the Baby Elephant Walk.
His wandering led him through every level of the Ministry. No one denied him entry, it was more than their jobs were worth, Fudge himself had left orders that Lord Sirius Orion Black was to be given every consideration. Sirius took shameless advantage of that to poke into every corner. While he as doing that, he cast a quick, wandless, Priori Incantatem on the wands of anyone he thought powerful enough to cast an Honesty Hex on Yusuke. As he did this he also checked for companion hexes. He wasn't sure what hex it would be paired with but he was looking anyway.
He penetrated the basement offices of the Unspeakable's with a bit of trouble, but he managed by following a woman in a grey robe. He tried to flirt with her, which she found annoying. She hurried along, ignoring him as best she could and led him right into the Unspeakable office area. He wandered around asking inane questions and poking into corners. No one noticed that every time he asked a question he waived a hand over the persons wand. It was common practice for people to just put their wand down on their desk, incase they needed it, so it was easy. No one noticed the faint indicator color as they were looking at Sirius or studiously ignoring him.
He found his man after about an hour of wandering and questioning. He marked the name of the man in his memory, and left him a bit of a surprise, in the form of a handful of small candies called Sparkles. The tiny W3 on the wrapper should have been warning enough, but Unspeakable Alfonse Mathison didn't notice. He did notice the gastric distress, flatulence and halitosis he developed ten minutes after finishing the last one.
Sirius finally decided that he'd tortured the entire Ministry enough and made his way to Fudge's office.
Minister Fudge was seated at his desk, frowning at the papers that his secretary had handed him, Weatherby or Weasleby, he could never remember. The Wizengamot had agreed to pay Sirius Black for his years in prison. At the rate of pay he would have earned as an Auror, Senior Auror then Detective Auror. It was a considerable sum of money. He was not happy, but there was nothing he could do about it. Public Opinion was pushing him out the door and he was hanging on to the door frame desperately.
Sirius settled into a squashy chair in front of Fudge's desk. He waited for Fudge to say something, but all Fudge could do was open and close his mouth like a guppy. Sirius Black was not what he'd expected.
He'd expected some wild-eyed, maniacal, ill-dressed person. What he got was a smooth, suave, laughing eyed, well dressed gentlewizard who sat calmly, smirking slightly, waiting for him to gather his senses and say something - well, sensible.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem. Yes, well. Apologies and all that. I had a bank draft made out to you for your reparation. All you have to do is take it to Gringotts, deposit it in your account and Bob's your uncle, everything's all made up."
Sirius sneered in a way that reminded Fudge that he was a Black. "Oh, yes, I'm sure. As to that..." he flicked his fingers. "never mind. But you do owe my godson quite a bit as well. I'm here to collect it. Do have Percy make out another draft, if you please. I have an accounting right here." He extracted the papers from an inner pocket and passed them across the desk with a flick of his hand. And cast an Honesty Hex on Fudge at the same time.
Fudge sputtered a bit, blurting, "Bu-but, that's ... that's outrageous. He should be doing this as his civil duty. He's the Hero of the Wizarding World. He's the Boy-Who-Lived."
Sirius just shrugged, "He's also Miyamoto Yusuke. A Yakuza Kumicho, head of a minor house, to be sure. But he is also his father's favorite. He feels no connection to Britain at all. So you pay. And if you don't pay? I do get the feeling that he'll turn all this ..." Sirius waved a hand in a vague motion to the paperwork. "over to me. Now ... in my day, Aurors took legal classes as well as enforcement. I think I remember my law well enough to say that you cannot withhold Harry Potter's inheritance from me ... as his godfather. I'm sure I'll waste most of it in legal fees, but the hope that he might get most of it will send him back to Japan, post haste. Think before you alienate him any more than he already is. Now. Bank Draft?"
Fudge sputtered and blustered a bit, then caved. The threat of Rita Skeeter getting wind of anything quashed his last quibble. He had the other bank draft made up, admitting as he did that he couldn't be bothered to remember his assistant's name. The boy was just a nonentity to him. Sirius just smirked and left.
.
Lucius Malfoy was a very frightened man. His idiot son was the cause, as usual. He never feared Voldemort, his Master well knew that he couldn't afford to kill his most valuable financial backer. But Draco was going to be the death of him yet. If Draco didn't annoy Voldemort into killing him, Miyamoto Yusuke would. He was never going to convince himself to think of that hard eyed young man as Harry Potter.
His intelligence network within Hogwarts, namely Severus Snape, had sent him a letter plainly telling him that Draco was on a razors edge of causing an incident. One he might not survive. Draco's survival depended directly on how much he irritated Miyamoto.
He wrote a letter to his friend, enclosing one to Draco, telling him to deal with Draco any way necessary. The letter to Draco told him to not to do whatever it was he was planning on doing under threat of Professor Snape's displeasure. He hoped it would work. He was afraid it wouldn't.
He was an odd man, in a way. He really loved his wife and son, as much as he was able to. He didn't want anything to happen to either one of them. But, he was caught between two masters. And didn't like it much. He was well aware that his son wasn't what he'd hoped he'd be. He wasn't aware that his neglectful spoiling had just ruined Draco. He always sent mixed signals. Special presents delivered by house elf weren't a real good idea. This led Draco to do almost anything to get Lucius' attention. Even a thundering scold was better than absent minded dismissal. And Draco's 'contact' promised many things, if he'd help their 'Lord" including his father's undivided attention as he was a 'good' agent for their superior.
Thus, Draco was in everyone's black books. Lucius' for endangering himself by annoying Yusuke-san and Voldemort's for failing. That vanishing cabinet stunt disgusted Lucius. Draco's attempts at subtlety resembled a bludger to the head. All the annoyance was getting to Lucius and his 'masters' constant, irritating summonses were becoming more than unpleasant. He decided to do as Miyamoto Musashi requested and send him the information he wanted, then head for parts unknown, wife in tow. His son would stay at Hogwarts and fend for himself. If he got himself killed, well, he and Narcissa were still young.
He settled at his desk to spend the night writing. He dispatched his report early the next morning, told Narcissa to pack for an extended stay at their chalet in the Swiss Alps and left. He was to spend the next year or two relaxing, learning to administer his estates from a distance and writing a book. But, as far as the British magical community was concerned he and Narcissa were out of the picture. Miyamoto Musashi was to call on him a few times for different things, which he responded to, but he kept his head down and his money to himself until the war was over.
.
Yusuke nodded to the messenger and took the dispatch. They'd decided to just have everything hand delivered to both Neville and him, mostly for the annoyance factor. Sirius was using Hedwig for his personal mail. She seemed happy with the arrangement, especially since Sirius and Remus had gotten together to put a hex on her. One that colored the hands of anyone who waylaid her a bright lime green.
"Wait." Yusuke turned to the letter and read quickly. He frowned for a moment then grumbled, "Well, damn. I completely forgot about that." He turned to the messenger and said in Japanese, "Tell Shiriusu-oji that I'll need him to come get me tonight. I'll deal. He should place massive bets on me ... for three fights. That ought to put them out of business."
The messenger grinned, barked, "Hai, Hai, Kumicho." and left with a definite swagger to his step.
Hermione managed to ask quite politely, "Where are you going? And how are you going to get out of school without trouble?"
Yusuke smirked. "I have always had permission to leave. No one can stop me when my Father, and the Minister of Magic, allow me to go. I just hadn't wanted to make too big a deal of it. Now, I have things to do." He thought for a moment then decided. "Would you like to go with?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, thank you."
Yusuke turned to Neville. "Neville-kun?"
"Yes, please. But where are we going?" Neville would go anywhere with Yusuke, just to rub Ron's nose in the fact that he could.
Yusuke had given up on not smoking in the Great Hall. No one seemed to care, except for Hermione. He picked a cigaret out of thin air and began to smoke it. "You know what a fight club is?"
Neville looked blank, but Hermione nodded. She explained to Neville that a fight club was an illegal club where uncertified boxers fought in unsanctioned matches without proper supervision or medical after care.
Yusuke nodded to her. "Very good. Except that this club is Mixed Martial Arts. They've been warned several times. Refuse to pay proper prizes, or protection and ... at least one fighter has died due to improper care after a bout. So, I'm closing it down. Twice over."
Hermione looked puzzled at that. "Twice over?"
Yusuke nodded. "Yes. I'm going to close the club down, after breaking the owners and backers financially. That way the roaches get stepped on, instead of scurrying into the woodwork and coming out later to start all over again. I'll kill one or two, if I have to. But I do prefer a slow escalation rather than a nuclear approach."
Hermione sighed. "Ok, I get it." She nodded at Neville, who had been following their conversation with a blank expression. She turned to him to explain all the unfamiliar expressions. Yusuke was pleased to see that she had finally amended her technique. Instead of the lecturing, hectoring tone she used to use, she actually sounded like a teacher who cared. She even refrained from rolling her eyes when a few of Neville's questions verged on silly.
"Oi! We need to get to class." Yusuke looked around. He caught sight of Headmistress McGonagall, and nodded to her. "Herself is here."
Hermione grumbled, "Oh, dear, what now?"
Headmistress McGonagall grumbled back. "Cheeky." But she smiled slightly and started handing out schedules. "New timetables. And you'll all notice that, as you are sixth years, you'll be doing even more self study than you did last semester. Professor Lockhart has decided that teaching doesn't suit him and resigned." She eyed Yusuke. "I don't suppose you know anything about it, Miyamoto-san?"
Yusuke gave her a blank look and drawled, "Boku? Iie!" which made Hermione snicker and Neville poke her.
Headmistress McGonagall just gave one sharp nod and returned, "And that's your story and you're sticking to it. I know."
Neville nodded once and said, "Just so. So what are we doing for Defense?"
McGonagall sighed, "Headmaster Dumbledore has had no success in finding a new professor so you will be reading the books and taking tests over content. I'm very ... disappointed in that."
Yusuke just shrugged. It wasn't his responsibility to teach all the students defense, it was Hogwarts. But he would continue to teach Neville, Hermione too, if she wanted. And, if she could handle being one of his students. He didn't think she could, but he'd let her try.
They headed for the juku to arrange their schedule books and get organized for the new term.
Hermione was barely through the door before she turned to Yusuke and demanded, "You had something to do with Lockhart ... spill."
Yusuke just plucked a cigaret from where ever and started talking.
**flashback**
Yusuke folded in from Japan. It was two in the afternoon there, around midnight here in England.
It didn't take him long to jimmy the door to Lockhart's small apartment and slip into the lounge. He spent a moment examining the desk. Much to his disgust, Lockhart was writing a book about how he'd trained Harry Potter. Needless to say, the parchments went up in a large puff of stinking smoke. The top of the desk was also charred beyond recovery.
Now that Yusuke knew what Lockhart had been doing since he'd been un-petrified, he was rather annoyed. He'd intended to politely explain that he, Lockhart wasn't to return to Hogwarts, now he was going to just scare the shit out of him, then tell him.
"Lockhart, come out." Yusuke waved his hand and a small pink ball hovered at shoulder height for a moment then darted off. A loud yelp sounded from the kitchen pantry.
Lockhart had taken refuge in his pantry just off the kitchen. The pink light of Yusuke's 'find it' spell had startled him as it flew through the door and hovered in his face.
Yusuke followed the ball of light and the yelp to find Lockhart scrabbling at the back wall of his pantry as if he could claw a door out of solid stone. He sighed then demanded, "Will you stop that? I'm not going to actually hurt you ... much." He grabbed a whimpering Lockhart by the collar and dragged him out of the pantry. He dumped him on the floor then waved his hand. Lockhart stood up as he didn't have much choice, the spell dragged him upright whether he liked it or not.
"What do you want? Please, don't hurt me. I'm famous you know." His hopeful expression made Yusuke scowl. "Well, I am."
"And so am I famous. Perhaps you forgot that, although I do not like the name, I am Harry Potter. Boy-Who-Lived. And all that shite. I am also No Wadi Omo, the Young Lord; and Shinigami-kun, Little God of Death; and Shikkō-sha, the Enforcer. And I tell you now ..." He leaned down to speak right in Lockhart's ear; "Anata wa, ōkina inu to issho ni jikkō dekinai baai wa, engawa ni taizai."
Lockhart whimpered, "I don't understand."
"If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch." Yusuke sneered at him. "And you definitely can't run with the big dogs. I'd recommend that you don't return to Hogwarts. Understand?"
"Yes ... yes ... I understand." Lockhart stared into Yusuke's eyes for a moment. "Please don't kill me."
"I would never sully my sword with your blood." Yusuke mushed him in the face, knocking him to the floor. He then sauntered out the door, coat tails swinging, curls of smoke trailing after him.
The door slammed and Lockhart went to change his trousers before he packed everything he owned and headed for parts unknown.
**end flashback**
Hermione nodded then asked "So, you really don't know where he went?"
Yusuke blew out smoke, straightened his open student robes and shrugged, "No. I really don't care where he went ... as long as he isn't here, I'm satisfied." he picked a bit of imaginary lint off his BDU trousers then checked the shine on his soft soled, lace up boots. He'd chosen to wear a dark navy blue today.
Neville bit his lip for a moment then asked, "And who's going to be DA Professor now?"
Yusuke snorted smoke out his nose. "Don't know, don't care. You don't need that class anyway."
Hermione agreed but pointed out, "Maybe you two don't need it but the rest of us do."
"And that's my problem? It's up to the staff and Board of Governors to make sure that all staff is up to ... par? Is that the word?" Yusuke looked at Hermione. She nodded. "It is the duty of students to learn, the duty of teachers to teach. Enough."
Hermione thought about that for a moment then returned to her food, saying, "Not to enlarge your already gigantic ego, but you're right."
Yusuke replied, "Of course I am." and picked up his bag to head to class.
This semesters class schedule was the same as last, except that the DA class was now all self study. This didn't bother the sixth and seventh years much, but the lower years were going to suffer. The first and second years didn't have the background in theory to do anything much and the third, fourth and fifth years didn't have the discipline necessary. All in all, it was truly a mess. Dumbledore's blithe, "Someone will turn up." didn't help at all.
Hermione trotted after him, mumbling under her breath, "Oh, yes, let's all just flounder around like fish out of water. Dumbledore, you're senile."
Neville snickered. He was well aware that one hundred thirty some years of life, duties in a national institution, an international political body and duties as headmaster was a sure recipe for disaster. It had just taken a while to build up. Now it was all coming crashing down around the headmaster's ears, and he didn't even notice. He was too busy mixing in where he wasn't wanted, the ICW was about to implode, the Wizengamot was at cross purposes and Hogwarts was run by Assistant Headmistress McGonagall. Neville wondered how easy it would be to sideline the old man, before Magical Britain was beyond help.
Yusuke looked over his shoulder. "You coming?"
"Right behind you." Neville caught up. "How many of the classes are we going to skip?"
Hermione bit her lip. It was against her principles to skip but, "History and Defense for sure. I don't think we can skip Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Runes or Arithmancy. But each class is on a different day, except for Runes and Arithmancy which are both on Friday. Labs are now optional for everything except Potions, according to the board in the common room. Dumbledore said." She scrunched up her face in annoyance.
"Yes, he says many things ... without supplying any useful information." Yusuke settled at his desk. "And when, I am insolent enough to ask, has he actually done anything helpful for Hogwarts?"
Class was as uninteresting as classes got. They studied theory, asked questions and debated. Yusuke tried to introduce some Ethics but got a blank look, even from Professor Flitwick. He decided that British magicals didn't have the common sense of a pea-hen.
The rest of the day was free. Yusuke noticed that too many students spent that free time messing about, as Hermione put it.
As he wandered the halls he listened to the gossip. Most of it was about how nice it was to have an extra free period and be rid of Lockhart. Some of it was general cattiness on the part of one girl who was unhappy with another. But one voice stood out, Ron Weasley.
"I don't get it. Why does Potter get to leave the grounds when the rest of us can't? It's not fair. He gets all sorts of privileges, just because he's rich." George shushed him. "And don't shush me! I don't care if he's standing right behind me."
"Well, aho, I am. So ..." Yusuke eyed the red faced boy. "you think it's a great privilege to leave the grounds at will? Yes?" he walked around Ron. "But it is a privilege earned, not given. Would you like to come with me? Learn a bit about earning things?"
Ron snatched onto the invitation without listening to the second question. "Me? Go with you? Sure thing! When do we leave?"
"At five. Don't be late." Yusuke eyed him again. "And dress Muggle."
.
Ron got Neville to help him dress. His wardrobe actually yielded an acceptable outfit of jeans, button down shirt, jumper and hiking boots. He did have to borrow a proper coat from Seamus.
Neville dressed in jeans, gansey and heavy boots with a squall jacket over all.
Hermione dressed much the same as Neville, proudly showing off her new, leather pocket book. The expansion charms and feather light allowed it to carry almost as much as her school bag. She'd stuffed it with everything she thought she'd need in any emergency she could think of.
Sirius met them at the main gate, sending a gaki up to Hogwarts to lead them all down. He smiled at Hermione, nodded at Neville and raised an eyebrow at Ron.
Yusuke just shrugged and led the way, folding into the club, sure that the rest would follow.
Sirius took Hermione, Remus took Neville and an unidentified waka brought Ron. They folded in right behind Yusuke making an impressive group. It didn't take long for everyone in the club to notice them.
Yusuke motioned to the chief promoter. He hurried over to see what the group wanted.
"I will fight tonight. Miyamoto Yusuke. My man." Yusuke motioned to Remus.
"Other names?" The promoter was already sweating.
"Harry Potter."
The promoter nearly fainted. Despite what the Ministry thought, many people in the underbelly of society knew about magic in a vague way. They also knew all the top players. Harry Potter and Miyamoto Yusuke were both well known, now it was also known that they were one person.
"I will fight three bouts. There will be bets. There better be cash enough to cover them, or there will be ... Hermione?" Yusuke appealed to her for the terms he wanted.
"Hell to pay, is good." Hermione eased closer to Sirius, she wasn't sure she liked this club after all.
"Yes, Hell to pay." Yusuke smiled, a cold and deadly expression then patted the promoter on the cheek. "Shiriusu-oji, keep Hermione close, please."
"Hai, Bossu." Sirius smirked at the promoter who scurried away to place the already written bets, and wipe the sweat from his brow.
Neville just gazed around at the first muggle establishment he'd ever been in. He wasn't impressed. The arena was dimly lit, the seating thread-bare and greasy and it was generally dirty, unkempt and it stank.
Ron was just in a state of total shock. The smells were weird, the furniture unfamiliar, the light more even but dimmer than what he was used to. He moved when the waka poked him then sat in the chair he pointed at. "You ... stay. I watch. No eat, no drink. I give, ok. Yes?" Ron nodded, still gazing around, wide eyed.
Hermione whispered to Sirius. "Is he really going to fight a grown man?"
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, he is. Three times." He looked at Hermione then added, "If you get sick, let me know. I'll have someone take you back to Hogwarts."
Hermione sat down on a couch, muttering, "Don't think so. I'm in for the long haul, no matter what." she glared at Sirius then Remus, "Someone has to be the voice of reason." she huffed irritably, crossing her arms over her chest.
Neville plopped down beside her. "That's my girl."
"Idiot."
Neville just shrugged. "So?"
They were silenced by a waiter asking if they wanted anything, Neville shuddered and shook his head, Hermione politely said, "No, thank you for asking." Ron started to order then looked at a nearby table and refused. The food looked underdone and greasy. He wasn't stupid and knew better than to eat anything that looked like that, his Mum would have a fit.
After a short wait, the promoter, who Yusuke called a bucho, or general manager, came up to ask a few questions on how Yusuke wanted to do things. Yusuke told him in exquisite detail. The bucho didn't object he just winced and did his job. The treats he provided were, he proudly said, from the nice restaurant down the street.
Yusuke settled on a couch with the bucho bent over his shoulder, he was obviously giving the man instructions, which made him start to sweat again. He finally nodded, agreed to what ever it was that Yusuke wanted and went away.
.
Yusuke looked around at the club. It was dirty, noisy and reeked. He would be glad to shut it down and find the fighters a better place. He noticed that all the fighters were crowded into a small, roped of area in a corner. He did not approve. He also noticed the lack of any care facilities.
"Shiriusu-oji, find a medic."
Sirius just tipped his head in Remus' direction. "Remus can do it. He's even got his kit."
"Good. Bets placed?" Yusuke was sure they were but it didn't hurt to check.
"Yes. They were so eager that I bet half again what you said. We'll clean up and clean them out." Sirius smirked at his godson and boss. "You're third on the ticket."
"Third? I would have thought that I would be farther down." Yusuke was usually billed as a main event.
"There is no farther down. Tonight is thin. Some of the fighters have refused to fight. The owner is trying to force them back but it's not working." Sirius pointed to the owner. "He's over there. The guy who looks like he's about to choke on a lemon."
Yusuke gave the owner a once over. "Hum. Don't think much of him, he looks like a ..." Yusuke groped for the word he wanted. "Small, furry. Looks a bit like Malfoy."
Hermione giggled. "A ferret. And they smell bad too."
Neville snickered. "Ferret ... Malfoy." he nudged Ron in the ribs, causing Ron to pay attention.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, he is. But ..." he motioned to the room. "Are we safe here? I mean, really?"
Remus patted Ron on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just stay in the box, no one will bother you here. It's more than their lives are worth ... to mess with the Yamaguchi-gumi is suicide."
Ron gulped then asked, "Yamaguchi? I thought Potter was called Miyamoto."
"Hidden Clan. No one messes with them. Their Enforcer is deadly." he winked. "I should know."
Ron whimpered and wondered why he'd thought this was such a good idea.
Neville nudged Hermione then pointed, the announcer was beginning his spiel. He gave the usual rundown of the fighters, matches and available refreshments. He also announced a special match, three bouts between Miyamoto Yusuke and their three best fighters. He did not say, 'of the available fighters.'
Hermione looked around then asked the sensible question. "Where's your locker room?"
Yusuke snorted. "They don't have one. The fighters are expected to come in ready to fight and leave to tend themselves somewhere else. Suggestion?"
"Well, we can't do anything magical as the crowd is mixed but ... um ..." she looked hesitant.
Yusuke nodded to her and said, "Go on."
"Have someone sneak off and conjure a couple of sheets. Then have them hold them up on poles or something. That will give you some privacy and rub everyone's nose in the fact that there should be some sort of private changing room." Hermione glowered at a nearby server, making the poor man wonder what he'd done now.
"Excellent idea. Very good. Shiriusu-oji?" Yusuke glanced at Sirius.
"On it. Just take a second." Sirius looked around, spotted a gaki he knew was good at transfiguration and gave him orders. The gaki walked into the dim back of the room and returned seconds later with the required materials. They were put aside until needed, tucked away on the floor at the back of the box.
With that, they all settled down to watch the preliminary bouts. These turned out to be young fighters who didn't know better than what they were getting. Yusuke sent Remus to medic both winner and loser in each bout.
This was needed as neither fighter seemed to understand the science of boxing, nor any other form of hand-to-hand. They just whaled away at each other until one, or both, couldn't fight any longer. The crowd, needless to say, was not pleased, their boo's let everyone know. Betting was at a stand still as were liquor sales and the food was thrown rather than eaten.
Four miserable bouts later, the crowd was restlessly milling and grumbling. The announcer was very pleased to call the last bout a tie, let the fighters retreat to the back corner of the room to be tended to and announce the main event.
"And now, Miyamoto Yusuke, the youngest fighter on our ticket tonight. Versus Orlando Clark." The announcer babbled on about weight classes and MMA rules while the audience watched Yusuke get ready.
This wasn't as interesting as some had hoped, Yusuke stood up, the sheets were arranged on the poles and he stepped behind them. He emerged moments later dressed in a gi. It wasn't anything fancy, just plain white cotton, belted with a black belt. The kanji embroidered on the back didn't make sense to most but Hermione could read it. It said "Devine Wind", or Kamikaze. She blinked for a moment then murmured, "Oh, dear."
Neville sighed, he could read it too. He patted Hermione on the shoulder. "Don't worry."
Ron just ignored the whole thing, he was already bored. He'd seen better fights between his brothers.
As the announcer finished, Yusuke joined him in the ring. The other fighter also joined him. The announcer went through the rules then said, "Ok, clean fight. Break when told. No eye gouging or groin shots. Shake hands."
Orlando offered his hand and Yusuke took it, pleased that his opponent didn't try to crush it. They shook then went to their corners. Orlando had a corner man, Remus was Yusuke's.
The first round went as expected, both fighters danced a lot, feeling each other out. Yusuke got the first blow, hitting Orlando in the short ribs just before the bell. They retreated to their corners.
Remus gave Yusuke a drink of water from an unopened bottle. "Stop messing about. You can take him, why not do it?"
"Don't want to ruin his career. He's a nice man. Just in the wrong club. See if you can't sign him up for the new one." Yusuke took a second drink but spit it out into the spit can Remus held for him. The third drink he swallowed. "Ready."
Remus signaled the announcer that his man was ready. A second signal from Orlando's corner man set the second round in motion.
This round was more active. Orlando led off with a series of kicks, designed to put his opponent off his balance and allow a punch or two through his guard. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Yusuke allowed the kicks to land, on his outer thighs, the heavy muscles there absorbed the punishment easily. He took one blow to the chest but shook it off.
When his kicks didn't have the desired results, Orlando got flustered. Yusuke took advantage of this and got in a shot to the jaw that rattled Orlando's brains. He then took several shots to the abdomen that left him short winded and dropped his guard. Another shot to the face put him down for the count.
Yusuke obediently went to his corner, wiping blood out of the corner of his mouth. The one shot to the chest had caught him a bit by surprise and he'd bitten his lip.
Remus pealed Yusuke's lip back, slapped a swab with clotting gel on the cut and ignored the announcer.
The announcer just proclaimed Yusuke the winner and called the next bout in ten minutes.
When Remus was done with Yusuke, he went to take a look at Orlando. The man wasn't really hurt, just stunned. Remus announced that he would be fine with some rest, and turned him over to a gaki who took Orlando away for a sit down with Sirius.
The second bout was called. The announcer gave the names again, Yusuke's opponent was named Jason, no last name given. As many club fighters didn't give real names or only their first or last name, this didn't raise an eyebrow. What did raise an eyebrow or two was the fact that Jason was a Light Heavyweight while Yusuke was a Bantamweight. There was some groaning from the crowd.
Neville put one hand on Hermione's shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry. Yusuke won't kill him."
Hermione sighed, huffed and settled back in her seat.
Ron grumbled, "What's the problem?"
Hermione was pleased to explain that Yusuke and Jason weren't in the same weight class, Ron's puzzled look led to a lecture on weight classes, what classes were used in what Commissions and violations of same. Ron started to shut her down, but a black glower from Neville shut him up. Neville figured that, if Hermione was haranguing Ron, she wouldn't be worrying about Yusuke. Sirius smirked at him over Hermione's head.
When the match was called, Yusuke proved that he was a capable strategist. It wasn't wise for him to go all out and down Jason in one second, which he could have done. He needed to run the bout up, other wise the bettors might withdraw their bets. So he let Jason have a bit of him, letting the other fighter beat on him a bit before he rallied and put him down for the count. This three round bout classified as what the old timers would have called a mill. Neither fighter displayed any science to speak of, they just whaled away at each other until the round was called then retreated to their corner for their corner man to patch them up then they were back at it again.
Jason was led away by his owner, so called because he 'owned' Jason's contract, who was upset that he'd been knocked out. Yusuke sent Sirius to ask if they'd like Remus to look at him. The owner agreed that that was a good idea, his corner man was just a cut man, not a medic. Remus checked him over, announced that he'd just had his bell rung and should rest for the night, and sent him home. The owner took him out of the club.
By now Hermione was a bit on the frantic side. She hadn't realized that they weren't allowed to magically heal Yusuke between bouts. His split lip, swelling jaw and bruised ribs had her twitching like a worm on a griddle. Ron was also a bit put off, he was more used to bruising and such, but his Mum healed things up quickly. Neville was the only one of the three that wasn't squirming out of his skin, he'd been just as battered and bruised himself. Yusuke had taken his training to the next level.
Remus took a moment between matches to speak to Sirius, assuring him that Yusuke would have no trouble with the last match. Sirius went to make a few more side bets. He had his eye on a few patrons that needed to be taken down a peg or two.
The third bout was called. Yusuke cracked his neck and climbed back into the ring. This time he wasn't fooling around. He'd had Sirius place bets on each bout of his match, especially on what round he'd end it in and whether it was a KO or TKO. This match was to be round one, KO, unless betting heated up. Yusuke didn't like the man he was matched against. He'd purposely crippled one of his opponents just to win a bet.
This bout was going to be harder, yet easier. Harder, because the man was nearly three times Yusuke's size, being a Super Heavyweight. Easier, because Yusuke intended to beat him down. Then he intended to ruin the club manager and owner. No one with any sense matched men out of their weight class, especially that far apart. According to the rules that Miyamoto Musashi set down, it was inexcusable.
The last bout was announced and Yusuke's opponent was the Super Heavyweight Champion of the club. Wight Houser was huge, hard and obviously not happy. He took one look at Yusuke and turned to his partner and sponsor. He demanded to know what the Hell they thought they were doing, having him fight a child. His partner just showed him the clause in his contract that forced him to fight whom ever the club wanted him to. He threw up his hands and agreed to fight. After all, it wouldn't take him more than one punch to put the kid down and out, if not outright kill him.
This bout was going to be the money maker. Yusuke glanced around, Sirius signaled to draw the bout out to at least three rounds. The longer the bout lasted the more people would bet on it. And they would all bet on Houser. Yusuke wasn't going to throw the match, he was just going to play wounded bird. He was going to take damage, look half broken then take Houser down hard.
The first round consisted of Yusuke absorbing punches to his abdomen and kidneys while back peddling in an effort to stay out of his opponents longer reach. It didn't look as successful as it actually was. Oh, he took some serious shots, but not as much damage as he pretended to. When the bell rang, he returned to his corner, dropped onto the stool and sighed.
Remus gave Yusuke some water, which he swished around then spat out. It was tinged slightly pink.
"How's it going?" Remus offered water again.
Yusuke swallowed this mouthful then replied, "Good. He's going to lose his temper soon. Betting?"
"Through the roof. If you finish this next round, we'll still own everything the club has and a couple of first born kids. I'd go ahead and end it next round. No sense in taking any more damage than you have to. Asshole is split between enjoying beating on you and pissed that he can't get in a better punch. He'll lose his temper as soon as he realizes that you're playing with him." Remus ran his hand over Yusuke's ribs, easing the pain as best he could.
Yusuke grunted, "Thanks," drank more water then called Sirius over. "If I end it next round, how big a hit are you going to take?"
Sirius grinned up at him. "Not bad. I placed a few side bets to try to punish some of the heavy betters but I'll still take them to the cleaners. Do what you gotta."
"Ok. He's going down next round, he's enjoying this way too much." Yusuke finished his water, accepted his mouthguard back and stood up.
The bell rang for the next round, and Yusuke began by dodging a rather wild roundhouse which gave him an opening. He took advantage of the opening to deliver a one-two punch to Housers solar plexus. That hurt. It also started Houser on the downward slope to losing his temper. Now, all he wanted was to lay gloves on his opponent and turn him into a corpse.
Yusuke managed to get in a quick jab to the face, and that was all she wrote, as the saying goes. Houser lost his temper and started swinging. He didn't look for openings, he just used his formidable strength to try to overpower Yusuke's guard. It didn't work. Sirius later compared it to swatting flies with a bludger. The harder Houser tried, the more openings he left; openings that Yusuke exploited to his advantage.
It only took 45 seconds to completely destroy any control Houser had. He spent the next 30 seconds chasing Yusuke around the ring. Then Yusuke had Houser exactly where he wanted him. The drop spin kick took Houser off at the knees, quite literally. The crack of one bone breaking was quickly followed by a crunch as the other knee gave way and folded backwards, like a bird's. Super Heavyweight Houser would never walk without limping again, much less fight.
The announcer jumped into the ring as the Referee finished the count. "And that's a wrap. Bout over due to one combatant's inability to continue." The Ref grabbed Yusuke's hand and held it up, just like the other two bouts. Yusuke nodded to him and then jerked his head to Remus.
Remus entered the ring and gave the Ref a small envelope. It only contained a couple of notes, not a lot of money, but in Japanese style, it was proper for the winner to give the ref a bit of money in thanks for his honesty.
The moaning and groaning that accompanied the end of the bout, and match, was loud and prolonged. Most of the spectators had lost money, some of them huge amounts, and they were not happy. This was when they all realized that the doors were guarded by hard faced Japanese men in expensive suits, with guns. No one was leaving until they'd either paid their debts or made real arrangements to do so. The club owners objected only to be told that they no longer owned the venue, the club; or even, quite possibly, the clothing they stood up in.
While all this was going on, Yusuke retreated to the box where Hermione, Neville and Ron were seated. Remus followed him while Sirius took care of collections.
After pulling his uwagi off, he tossed it aside. Remus made him sit down and immediately started his examination. He took his time while Hermione wrung her hands in worry.
"Well, not too bad. Nothing broken, just a cut lip and a cracked rib. Not to mention the bruising you can't see because of the tattoos. So." Remus dug into his bag and withdrew a potion. "General healing potion." another rummage brought out a tin of bruise cream. "And a cream." He noticed someone trying to bully the much smaller Yakuza Waka into letting him out so he went to loom, calling over his shoulder, "Neville, cream."
Neville nodded. "Ok." he turned to Yusuke. "Drink that, don't just look at it."
Yusuke obeyed, his exhaustion evident in every move. He'd just gone a total of five rounds with three opponents and he felt it. "Hai, Bossu." He gave Neville a tired smile.
Hermione scolded, "Yusuke, you shouldn't be this tired. Um ... should you?"
Yusuke winced as Neville began applying the bruise cream. "Yeah, I should. The reason I'm so tire is, I had to let them get their bit or the betters wouldn't bet. So, I'm hurting. And taking on three fresh opponents, one after the other, is harder than going five rounds with one guy." he shuddered. "Chikusho! Neville, that shit's cold."
Hermione blinked. "Oh, but you will be ok? Won't you?"
Yusuke offered her a slight smile. "I will. After all, you did see the other guy, right?"
Ron chimed in just then. "If this is the sort of crap you have to do to be a ..." he waved a hand. "whatever the hell it is you actually are, I don't want any part of it. I thought we'd get to go to a muggle dance club and see naked women ... or something." he wilted under the combined glare of Hermione and Neville. Yusuke just curled his lip.
"I work hard to be a kumicho. I'm a boss, I'm responsible for my men, their actions and their health and welfare. It's a position of great responsibility and great reward. If you do it right." Yusuke shook his head. "If you want easy, this isn't the job for you. In fact, you couldn't do it. You're too self-centered. I obey my father. I know you argue with yours at every turn." he looked around, spotted the gaki he'd made responsible for Ron. "I think he should go home now. See to it."
The gaki just took Ron by the arm, folded him to Hogwarts and left again, leaving Ron to make his way up to the dorm on his own. Needless to say, when he told the twins about his evening, they were less than pleased.
Yusuke relaxed while Neville rubbed the bruise cream into his ribs, back and chest. A soft, "Yusuke. Here." brought his attention to Hermione. She had managed to get him a real cup of tea.
"Mmmm, tea. Thank you." he sipped appreciatively.
"I got a waka to go across the street and get it. It'll make you feel better."
"I'm sure it will. As soon as Neville is done molesting me, we'll go back to Hogwarts. Remus and Sirius can finish up here." Yusuke laughed at Neville's expression.
"Yes, well. If you object to me ... molesting you so much. I'm done." He laughed back at Yusuke. "Really. Come on."
Remus came back just then to check on them. "You done? Better get back then. Yusuke, rest. I mean it." Remus pointed a finger at him.
Yusuke just waved a hand and folded the three of them right into the dorm.
Hermione looked around, squeaked in dismay and scurried out.
Ron was already there, sound asleep and snoring like an asthmatic donkey.
Neville stripped quickly, asked Yusuke if he needed anything then went to bed.
Yusuke, denying he needed anything, also went to bed.
.
Sorry this chapter took so long (Longer than usual.) But I've had the flu, and my computer is acting up. (broken in the last week or so) So No excuses, just an explanation for those who are interested.
For those who don't know, a ferret has a musk gland, it makes them stink. My son had one and he had to bathe it every other day. (or it went into it's cage in the garage until he did.)
I hate the use of the word alcohol used in relation to liquor. Rubbing alcohol is alcohol but I wouldn't recommend drinking it.
Light Heavyweight = 200 lb.
Bantamweight = 135 lb.
both plus or minus five pounds