Hikaru was used on having his birthdays celebrated only with the lackeys of their family. His parents and grandfather couldn't attend due to the nature of their job, especially now when the tension between the main and branch family is soaring.
The albino thought that his fifth birthday will be the same the same, butt his parents had announced that they had the day off and began dressing him up in a extravagant kimono.
He had no qualms, already used to the feeling of kimono and was used on walking(even sprinting) with it. His hair had grown longer to the point that his father has reminded him of it, but seeing as his mother liked his hair, he decided not to cut it. Himiko always had a smile on her face whenever she smothers Hikaru and combs his hair.
"Look here, Hikaru!" His father held a camera pointed at him and was already at his dozens of pictures.
As soon as they arrived at the shrine, Hikaru was met with the squeals of his mother and father, saying how he was adorable and such.
"So cute, my son is so cute!" This was probably the nth time that his mother said this. He doesn't mind and can tolerate his parents noisy behavior, but the people around the shrine looked really bothered by them.
Not that it was his business.
He decided to let it be.
The were in line for the people who wants to wish for something at the shrine. They were close to the front but Shunji felt a vibration from his phone.
When he took it out, Hikaru saw the dark look that his father momentarily had. His parents made eye contact, both having grim expression, but when they crouched down to speak to him, they had their usual smiling faces.
"Hikaru, you see..."
"Mom and dad..."
The two hesitated to say that they needed to leave due to an emergency on their part. Other than meeting each other at their house, they seldom had family outings so this was the first time that they went out.
Hikaru clearly understood their circumstances. Though he held the guise of a child, his mind was more mature than that of a brat.
"I know. Will Li come?" Himiko and Shunji were both stunned to see their son so understanding. When they were children, they often made a ruckus when they didn't get noticed by their parents, so seeing their son like this made them both proud and guilty.
They were proud that he was mature for his age. Very understanding of the emergencies and excuses that they had.
And so guilty that they take advantage of his mature mind to repeatedly break their promises of hanging out as a family of three.
Hikaru could already tell what they would thinking just from the looks of their faces. He didn't mind not spending much time with them...
As long as they continue loving the existence called Fujimoto Hikaru, then he was alright. He didn't need any gifts or excessive spoiling.
"I'm okay. Papa and Mama..." a slip of tongue on how he previously called his parents from the other life.
Himiko and Shunji were not sure, but they were surprised at the small smile that played on their son's face. A very rare one, mostly only seen when he was reading books and now it was directed at them.
With serious expressions, they nodded and proceeded to contact Li to accompany Hikaru.
"You wait here, Li will arrive in a few minutes." Shunji said and ruffled his son's hair.
"Be safe, don't leave without Li. It's dangerous." Himiko said and reminded his son of the toy gun to use if he felt threatened.
Hikaru nodded and watched as the two boarded a black car. He stayed there, holding his umbrella and turning it a few times, waiting till the car left. When it did, he looked for a place to sit down.
There were many people in the shrine, it'll be bad if he got lost in the swarm of people here. It was best for him to look for an open area so that Li would see him instantly when he arrives.
He saw a bench at the sides, unoccupied by the people since they were busy lining up for the shrine.
Proceeding to sit down, he was met with company of a smaller child. It didn't look like he was with anybody, or that there were occupants of the free space of the bench, so he sat down.
Being honest, Hikaru was distressed when he got a closer look to the child. Just a year ago, he coincidentally met the Sasagawa siblings and now, another problem had appeared for him.
He didn't want to meet them this early. He had planned that he would just have a few glances at them and go his own way, but it seems like his plans will not come to fruition that easily.
Sitting just beside him was the very known and loved brunette of anime fans of all ages. Just there.
The protagonist of the world he was in was beside him, so Hikaru did the very obvious thing to do. The one that he had discussed with himself over and over again.
With his normal stoic expression, he ignored the small tuna and waited for Li to take him out of this predicament. No phone to fiddle with and to waste some time. Every second felt like minutes since Hikaru felt the gaze of the brunette on him.
So upsetting, so vexing. Alarming, inconvenient, annoying, tiresome, troublesome. Hikaru doesn't want to experience anything that involves the protagonists of this world this early.
"U-uhm..." a stutter of the child beside him and Hikaru felt a tug on his sleeves. He almost wanted to let out a sigh of despair.
Sawada Tsunayoshi, three years old, currently confused on what to do since his mother told him to stay put since she have to buy some things before they go home. He was uncomfortable at the foreign clothing that he wore and was already feeling hot from the layers of it.
Now that there was someone that had come close to him, he wanted to ask for some help for his discomfort. Being a three year old, he didn't know what to do to approach the older kid that sat beside him.
"Uhm... clozes ish... uhmm.." tugging at Hikaru's sleeve whilst fidgeting, his child mind didn't know how to form a proper sentence concerning his dilemma.
Being as he is, Hikaru observed that despite the windy weather, Tsuna was flushed and a bit sweaty.
Hikaru stood up, making sure he stayed in the shade and settled himself in front of the smaller child.
The brunette stared at him in panic, thinking that he was going to leave. But he quickly retracted his words when Hikaru started to take off his outer robes and folded the long sleeves of the kimono.
After Hikaru finished, Tsuna was going to say thank you, but he stopped when he saw a scary adult looming behind Hikaru.
"Young master." Hikaru knew that voice and without even looking, handed Li the umbrella, silently telling the man to hold it for him. Li did as he was gestured without complaints and continued to watch Hikaru, what he was doing, and the area.
"Wait for your mother here." The albino fixed Tsuna's collar and let go. That was all he did and bid farewell to the protagonist. This much contact and he was positive that Tsuna will eventually forget him.
"..Ah..." Tsuna was late to react. The person who had helped him had already left and he didn't even manage to say thank you.
"Tsuna, I'm back." Sawada Nana appeared out of the crows holding bags of different labels.
"Let's go home, you must be tired." Nana blinked and took notice of the change in her son's clothing. It was obviously not done by Tsuna, since the folds were done neatly and his clothes aren't crumpled.
"Oh, who helped you with your clothes?" She placed down the dozen of bags on the bench and bent down with a smile directed at her son. It was her mistake to not notice the discomfort of her son with layers of clothes.
"Uhm... there'sh thish beauchiful nee-chan... helped me..." he had a few problems with pronouncing the words but nevertheless Nana still understood him.
"My, is that so... Did you thank her then?" Nana smiled at the thought of a kind older girl helping her son.
"N-No... left befoe I... shaid it. Sorry, mom..." A downcast look was shown.
"Then, next time you see her, you should thank her then." The encouragement seem to lift up her son's spirit, and with a determined nod, Tsuna brightened up.
"Let's go?" Nana carried the bags again and held out her other hand to hold her son.
"Un!"
Yakuza's are feared even though they have already sworn to never commit illegal business to the public.
Half of Fujimoto Masuki's life revolves around being a yakuza. When he was young, he had been trained early to deal with violence and crimes.
Even though the Fujimoto family had been yakuza's, they didn't commit any actions that would hurt the normal citizens.
They were more like guard dogs. Shields, or keeper of peace in the yakuza world. They make sure that other families under their jurisdiction do not do any cause unnecessary trouble.
They were the enemy of both the government and their fellow yakuza groups. For centuries, they stood in the gray area and kept watch of the area they control.
That was why Masuki had been having a headache these past few weeks. It's only been ten years since their peace treaty with the government yet small groups of yakuza had been popping out one after another, continuously causing trouble.
Such as, public disruptions, raids, drug trafficking, and the worst of it all, even murder. They had been lucky that the deaths were from people who has some kind of connection to yakuza's, if not then there would be trouble with the authorities.
Because of this, his daughter and Shunji had been travelling nonstop to make sure that no groups from their jurisdiction makes a stupid move.
With a loud sigh, Masuki placed a hand on his forehead, tired of reading reports of the rounds in the city. He had a feeling that those bunch from the branch family had been plotting something, and behold are the reports of sightings of familiar men in black suits, all scouting the area.
He even read about how Li had been seeing people keeping watch of his grandson.
That made him livid. To think that those from the branch have ulterior motives for his son made his blood boil.
"Boss! People from the branch family arrived! Th-They have weapons with them!!" A bloody man appeared from the hallway, surprising Masuki. But other than that, fury quickly replaced his shock as he quickly grabbed his weapon.
"Gather reinforcements. Send a message to Shunji ans Himiko. Report the casualties and have the injured draw back." Fixing his kimono, he charged elegantly to the battle with a ferocious expression.
"Yes, boss!!"
Li stood closely to Hikaru, making sure that the young child was in a shade by holding the umbrella.
He can see that despite having been rob of his parent's time with him due to their job, Hikaru was having a good time being able to walk around freely and have snacks along the way.
"Ah." Hikaru's ice cream scoop fell on the ground when he wasn't paying attention. With a sigh, he let it be and just bit a piece of the leftover cone as he gazed at the cherry blossoms. It was a good thing that Li had found them an isolated place with few people and noise.
Li had expected the young boy to throw a fit for having his desert fall on the ground like that, but all he saw was a slight disappointment on Hikaru's face, and then he proceeded to eat what was left of the ice cream. Even his nephew, despite being a calm child, still threw bits of fits when something doesn't go his way.
"Young master, it seems like it is time to go back." Li reminded Hikaru when he had spotted several suspicious figures lurking around.
Hikaru ate the last piece of the cone and opened his umbrella before going out of the shade. He had also noticed that they have been followed as soon as they left the crowd at the temple.
"I know." Hikaru replied to Li, whilst twirling his umbrella, his eyes wandered to the hiding figures and managed to catch sight of the varying weapons each carried. When he and Li made a slight move of walking, those figures started to make their own move and went out of their hiding simultaneously.
"But, It looks like they won't let us leave." Hikaru stopped and glanced up at Li who sported a dark look.
"Yes, as you say. Such annoying pests they are." Li unfolded his arms, continuing to observe the several dozen pursuers closing in on them.
As he thought, being in a family of yakuza is dangerous and very troublesome. It brings trouble even if you hadn't done anything wrong. As long as there was a brewing grudge, or several ambitions of overthrowing whoever is in power, then their will surely be unavoidable combat involved.
"Take them down. I will shoot whoever plans to come too close." Hikaru said as he swiflty took out the gun he was given. He had already perfected his shooting practice with Ekoda, so he had no problem aiming with one hand.
With a gun to his right, umbrella on the left, with the sound of gunshot as the signal, Li shot forward and took down one man easily. Without missing a beat, Li had already grasped two men who were going to attack him with a blunt weapon. They were easily beaten when the old man went for their necks and knocked out the two. The sound of their pursuers shout of morale reverberated, causing anger to Hikaru as they were unnecessarily loud and noisy.
The onslaught of Li had already took down dozen of men, the men's moral taking a huge hit but they still continued to attack, surged with adrenaline rush, they focused on their target and mission.
All of them wanted to get a hit through Li, so that they could take down their target, Fujimoto Hikaru. Yet no matter how hard they charge, they couldn't get past the old man. Those that managed to squeeze through the chaos and almost reach the young albino, was met with a bullet straight to their head.
Another blow to their morale as they saw how a young kid had already took down several men with a pistol. Unfazed.
When they reach out to grab Hikaru, the small child was too slippery and they were met with a kick to whichever place the albino liked to, then a bullet straight to their forehead.
They almost gave up, but then they heard a click when the boy pulled the trigger. A grin rose to their faces, taking advantage of the fact that he had lost his weapon.
They thought.
Instead of panicking, Hikaru quickly placed the hood that was attached to the custom kimono his mother ordered, then closed his umbrella. He placed it on his left side, and with a quick pull, several men screamed in pain as they were cut.
When they had a closer look, the umbrella was a hilt to a small rapier-like katana.
It was a good thing that his grandfather had given him this as a present, or else he had to request a weapon from his parents and be questioned before he knew if it was okay or not.
All men had fallen, except one. An exception, or necessity. Hikaru placed the tip of his blade to the neck to the kneeling man, his face frightened to the fact that all his buddies are dead on the ground or that he might face death any moment now.
Li was back to Hikaru's side and made sure that the left man wouldn't make any weird movement. He checked the man for any concealed weapon, once Li confirmed there was none, he tied up the man's arms and legs, and let him kneel in front of Hikaru.
Hikaru glanced up at the blooming trees of cherry blossom.
"You guys ruined my day." he said and then stared at the man in front of him coldly.
Than man trembled under that gaze. It might be fear or confusion, as he didn't know what to think of or what to focus on in the situation he was in. He was filled in that their target was the young master of those arrogant people from the main family. That it was the easiest mission, and that he rather want to raid the main house instead of killing some brat. It was a raised discussion and many of his companions complained of being assigned on a easy kill job.
What easy kill?
He never expected that he would be met with such a monstrous child. Can he even call this in front of him a child? In such a young age, he accurately aimed his gun. Eyes staring right to their death, hands stained with blood. The appearance of an angel, but he rather call this a demon.
"Who's behind this?" those words were like a spell to him. Lips trembling as words were hard to produce. Yes, that was right. The one behind all of this was at fault. He didn't do anything wrong... so... so, please...
"The Fiyoru... Fiyoru... yes, they-- they were the one's,"
Fear. Death. He didn't want to die. Just why did he have to join the yakuza? For honor? For power? Because he admired those that possessed enough reputation to have nobody mess with them. Because he was invited. Because...
"Why?" Hikaru's voice was so stoic that the man cannot believe that it was said by a young child.
"They, they didn't say anything... I don't know-- I don't know anything so please--"
The words were cut short when Hikaru had done a quick slice to the man's throat. A finishing blow, no need to listen any further. Li wasn't unnerved, in retrospect, he admired Hikaru's psyche of being able to unhesitatingly kill those who want to kill him. If he remained naive, then he might not survive long in the world of yakuza. But he still need to make sure that Hikaru doesn't even consider killing as something amusing or fun.
"Let's go. I have a feeling the house is being raided."
"Yes, young master."
"How do you feel about your first skirmish, young master?" Li had to ask this, as he didn't want this child to go down a wrong path. Hikaru stopped and looked straight at him, with no hesitation to his words.
"It was dirty and unnecessary."
With those words the young master continued to walk while Li had instructed people to clean up and erase any evidence.
It was the first time that Li had seen such clear disgust and irritation from Hikaru, and made him relax that despite experiencing such bloody fight, the child remained who he is.
Hikaru and Li was met with the compound damage and some walls having several holes from gunshots. They almost rushed in, but was thankfully approached by one of their men and had the situation explained.
With Masuki and a few select people in the house. The people from the branch family planned an ambush but still failed as Masuki and his people managed to eliminate them. It was quite a stretch since they were outnumbered, casualties were expected.
It was a good thing that back-up quickly arrived, namely Shunji, Himiko, and their men.
136 wounded, 18 deceased from their side, and complete annihilation to the raiders, though some were kept as they could provide information.
With no words, as soon as Himiko and Shunji saw their son, they hugged him tight. Only then did they whispered words of apology.
"I'm okay.. I had Li with me, so I'm not hurt." Hikaru always had a soft spot for the two, and his voice become a bit warm than his normal one, though this went unnoticed by him and very obvious to the others.
"No... no..."
"We're sorry..."
"Tha..t..."
Hikaru let the two sob their hearts out while Li sighed exasperatedly at the scene, as the roles were clearly switched. Isn't the child supposed to be the one crying and not them. Really, these two become so different whenever it involves their son.
Masuki arrived and made his way to the tree. Shunji and Himiko were still hugging Hikaru, their backs faced to Masuki.
"Grandfather." Hikaru did a slight nod. He saw his grandfather with a grim look on his face, then crouched down to be at face level to Hikaru.
"Gozu and Ekoda had suffered grave injuries and died before medics could arrive. You... ... Do you want to... see them one last time?"
With those words Hikaru's eyes widened, and Shunji and Himiko flinched. With just those hints, Hikaru could deduce that the reason that his parents were saying sorry was because of this. His close aides, Gozu and Ekoda was gone.
"Hikaru... we arrived late. We couldn't." Himiko wished that she had arrived earlier so that she could have decreased the casualties; that she could have at least saved those two for her son. They were the ones who were always with him when they were away.
"It's better if... if you don't see their bodie--" Shunji didn't want his son to face any trauma. To see dead bodies of the people close to him might...
"No... I'll see them. Please lead the way, grandfather."
Himiko and Shunji watched as their son followed after Masuki, their hearts hurting at the thought of what Hikaru may feel.
"Don't worry. The young master is a smart child, I'm sure he wants to respect and honor the two." Li knew that someday they will die at this line of livelihood, but he didn't expect that those two would leave this early. The same for those who died in the raid.
And so, they also followed after the two.
Reality was harsh, unlike cliche yakuza movies, everybody doesn't live by the end of the day.
It might be because Hikaru wasn't the protagonist of the world. Those that manage to live through dangerous situations are people that has something to do with the protagonist. No matter how deadly it was, they would come out with heavy injuries, but not dead.
The eighteen bodies in front of him was one proof that this was Hikaru's reality.
"They were good people... They accepted me even though I'm different." though Hikaru's voice still held that flat tone, there were a small crease on his forehead.
Without another word, Hikaru left the room with small strides. His back being stared by the four adults that accompanied him at seeing the bodies.
"Boss, we caught a hiding child soldier of Fiyoru!"
"Little brat sure made it hard for us to spot him..."
As Hikaru was getting ready to leave, two of Masuki's men carried a child with them and made that child kneel at the engawa to have Masuki decide on what to do to another survivor. Some of the Fiyoru men they caught were those that looked like they had a high position and could provide them with position.
A loud thud and a small yelp of pain halted Hikaru's steps and managed to meet eye to eye to the child soldier that was caught. Instead of expressing surprise, Hikaru had managed to remain calm in the presence of another familiar face.
There he was, the bloodied kneeling figure of Byakuran as a child. While Hikaru had continued to stare at Byakuran, the latter did the same and had his gaze locked at the young Fujimoto.
Whether it be intentional or by fate, Fujimoto Hikaru met with one of the most important characters of the world.
Byakuran as a child.
Byakuran who looked defeated and weak; very different on how he was as a grown up.
"Byakuran. That is your name, right?" with Hikaru's question, the others eyes widened in shock. In front of this person who can receive the memories of his parallel s elves, there was no need to beat around the bush. In due time, he would be targeted, since he was a person who wasn't supposed to be here. Fujimoto Hikaru was an existence that didn't happen nor appear in their story.
Yet, there was no confusion in the eyes of Byakuran. Hikaru could see that there was only surprise as if he also--
"Why are you here, Byakuran?" he asked, causing uneasiness to appear on the other's face.
-- As if Byakuran also knows Hikaru's name.
"You are not supposed to be here." They both said at the same time.