Shadows in the Sunlight
Chapter 1- Alliance
Hello! Did I really just write 4000 words broken into 2 chapters in one sitting? Yes I did. This is my first Haikyuu! story and my first Mafia AU! I'm very excited for this story! Please let me know what you think as it will help me to improve my writing and storytelling. Enjoy!
Warning - Mild to strong language in some chapters.
The Cat's Meow. Bokuto wasn't particularly a fan. From the outside, The Cat's Meow looked to be like any other club that littered the streets, but the inside, was a different story. There was nothing wrong with the club, as a matter of fact, Bokuto probably would have loved it if he didn't know the club's secret. A "secret" is what they called it, but at this point every person on the entire freaking planet had heard the rumors. What saved The Cat's Meow, was very few people actually had proof that the rumors were true. The police certainly weren't one of those people.
Bokuto pushed through the throng of people crowding around the outside of the club hoping to get in. The Cat's Meow, like its name suggested, was quite popular and catered towards a higher clientele. The black and white haired man didn't bother with the long line that wrapped around the building and instead walked towards its entrance, people in line gave him looks of disbelief that he would even attempt such a feat, others snickered at him peering over their comrades hoping for a full view of his rejection. As he neared the club's entrance, the bouncers immediately stepped aside to let him pass effortlessly into the club, one of the men speaking quietly into a hidden commlink in his suit jacket. Jaws dropped as Bokuto made his way inside, that was always his favorite part. Some knew who he was and weren't surprised, others had no idea and he reveled in their confused and jealous faces.
Once fully inside, he made his way over to the bar, getting himself a drink as he waited for his inevitable escort. His eyes roamed the crowd, getting a feel for the crowd tonight, a glass thunked down in front of him at the same time as a new performer walked onto the built in stage. Now Bokuto doubted that this performer was new given by the crowd's reaction as he waltzed to stand in front of the mic, but Bokuto had never seen this man before. Bokuto eyed the man as he stood before the crowd, waiting for their cheers and roars to settle down. He was dressed in simple black dress pants with a red shirt hosting an intricate black pattern woven across his shoulders, back, and chest. Shades of red and blue painted his pale face as the club lighting shifted to a more sultry shade, completely changing the mood of the previously hectic party environment.
The owl incarnate man hardly payed any attention to the song that the beautiful man started singing and instead payed attention to the movement of his lips, and the sway of his hips, floating around the stage as he captured the attention of every person in the club. Bokuto finally understood the crowds enthusiasm when this man had first appeared, his voice was silky smooth and passion filled as he sang away without a care in the world on stage.
"The Boss will see you now." Bokuto's head snapped in the direction of the intruding voice, much too harsh and blunt after being engrossed in the mysterious man onstage. Right, the Boss, he had a job to do here. He downed the rest of his drink in one go and shook his head to get back on track with his mission.
Bokuto was led upstairs to the VIP area of the club, and then escorted into a back room for even more privacy. He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings, he could still hear the captivating voice outside, but the thick walls of the room muddled it, forcing the voice to lose some of its effect. It was probably for the best, now he could focus on his main goal, in front of him sat the Boss and his grandson; standing behind them, was the personal bodyguard of the said young, pudding haired man.
"You are in the presence of Nekomata-dono of the Nekoma Cats, state your name."
"I am Bokuto Koutarou-dono of the Fukurodani Owls." Bokuto puffed out his chest as he spoke, proud of his title. He hadn't been the boss of the Fukurodani family for very long, but that didn't mean he didn't hold a high reputation already.
"Ah, Bokuto, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Nekomata spoke keeping his voice level, he had an idea as to why he was here, but he wanted the younger boss to say it out loud.
"I came personally to propose an offer to you. I believe we can help each other in our current positions."
"Oh? And what fascinating proposition do you have?"
"I propose an alliance between our families. With Fukurodani's strength and Nekoma's tactics we could become an unstoppable force. There would be no one who could oppose us in any trade or scheme."
"Hmmmm, 'Fukurodani's strength' you say? There's no denying that Fukurodani is a true powerhouse among the families, but what can you offer us? I have faith in the power and strength Nekoma holds. If 'strength' is the only thing you have to offer, then I'm afraid this conversation is over, young boss." Nekomata wanted to see what this new boss was capable of. Surely he came prepared with a better speech then that. An alliance with the Owls could be very useful, but if this young man wasn't thinking like a mafia boss then there was no point in forming an alliance at this stage.
"Fukurodani owns the streets. An alliance with us would mean you and your men could move your product easier and completely in secret, no cops, no press, no unwanted eyes. With our strength, we would be able to beef up your defense, protecting not only your products, but important people and clients as well." Bokuto's eyes flicked over to the opposing Boss's son, for an added effect. Bokuto knew that Nekomata was testing him, if he wasn't interested in what he had to say, then the two of them would never have been in the same room in the first place. He couldn't tell what exactly the older man was looking for, but he was determined not to disappoint, if this alliance went through, they really would become the strongest family out there.
"A solid proposal. I assume in return, you and Fukurodani would gain access to Nekoma's famed web of knowledge and the aid of our socially high standing members?"
"That would be what makes this proposal a true alliance, yes." Ah, so he did know the real reason behind Bokuto's request. It's true, Nekoma was a "high class" gang with access to just about anything out there that was digital.
"You're a smart man to go seeking alliances. Most of the young bosses out there are only interested in domination and power, I commend you for that," Bokuto had a bad feeling as to where this was headed, but a soft knocking at a hidden side door saved him from the rest of the ominous speech.
"Come in." Nekomata called to the person on the other side.
"Good evening, Nekomata-dono." Bokuto's jaw almost hit the floor as it was ripped open. He had been too distracted by the meeting to notice that the singing had stopped and left a thundering applause in its wake. As his ears adjusted, he realized that the typical club music had now returned, and the stunning singer was now in the room with them.
"Ah, Akaashi-kun, good evening, you sounded great as always."
"Thank you Nekomata-dono." The man gave a small bow after the compliment, and Bokuto committed the name to memory for a later date. "That was my last song for the night. I'll be heading home now."
"Travel safe, my boy. I'll see you tomorrow." Akaashi gave another bow, before offering a small wave to the other two Nekoma members in the room; the bodyguard returned the wave while the grandson gave a subtle nod. Akaashi stole a glance to Bokuto before disappearing out of the door he had entered from.
"Now, where were we? Oh yes, Bokuto-kun, you are a fine boss from what I can tell, but we are not interested in an alliance at this time. Nekoma will remain in its current standing with your family. Perhaps at another date we can try this meeting again."
"For what reason?! Nekoma and Fukurodani have never had any problems in the past, and together we'd be the most powerful family out there. Why do you refuse this alliance?" Bokuto was understandably angry at this, they couldn't just blow them off like this!
"Now is not the time, my boy. Go back to your family." Bokuto had half a mind to smack the man and force him to either align or give an actual reason for the refusal. He knew, however, that if he did that, he'd never make it out of the club alive. He couldn't do that to his family. Keeping his current neutral standing with Nekoma was more important than smacking an old man just for the hell of it. Typically with meetings like this, you either got the alliance or standings got worse to the point of being hostile. He supposed he should be counting himself lucky that everything would remain as it was before this meeting.
Bokuto shot a glare to show his annoyance, but stomped out of the room anyways. He might have a reputation for being a brute, but he wasn't an idiot, he knew when to back down. His mind was already made up. He'll try one more time to make an alliance with Nekoma, and if they refused, he'd just crush them instead. There were already rumors floating around that Nekomata was going to retire and the new boss of Nekoma would be stepping up soon. Bokuto would simply bide his time until that happened. He could then force this new boss into an alliance, or trample over them before they fully came into their power.
He adjusted his suits collar as he stepped into the cold night's air, his men appearing out of the shadows to walk beside him as he made his way over to a car waiting to take him back to Fukurodani's main hangout.
This isn't over, Nekoma. He thought as he entered the car.
I hope you liked it! Let me know what you thought! Chapter 2 is already completed and is up now. See you next time!
~Kiera540