Tetsuya struggled frantically to sit up. "Let me go! I have to go with him! You don't understand!"

Kyoya and Haruhi continued to hold him down gently. Hotta stepped up behind Haruhi and tapped her shoulder. "I don't have Kenji's training, but I do have enough to evaluate whether we can transport him ourselves or need to call an ambulance."

Haruhi stood up and stepped back to allow Hotta access to the distraught Tetsuya. Focusing on the young man, Hotta pulled out a small penlight and checked Tetsuya's eyes. Other than the darkening bruise surrounding the left one, they reacted normally to the light. Then he ran his hands gently along Tetsuya's head, neck, arms, legs, and ribs. "Other than the black eye and some bruises, you seem to be okay," Hotta stated.

Addressing Kyoya, Hotta said, "I don't detect any concussion, broken bones, or other life-threatening issues. No need for an ambulance. Someone can drive him to the hospital." He paused before continuing, "I'd feel better if he were examined by a doctor while he was there though."

"Haruhi and I will accompany him and see to it," Kyoya stated as he and Hotta helped Tetsuya stand. Tetsuya faltered a little as he tried to stand on his own so Kyoya stepped up next to Tetsuya and held his elbow.

Everyone was focused on Tetsuya when Chiharu looked around and asked, "Where is Haruhi?"

The answer was a horn honking. "There she is now," Kyoya commented. He turned to Tachibana and Hotta. "Please help Tetsuya to the car since he's a little unsteady on his feet." Before following the trio to the car, he turned to the others. "Go ahead with the memorial lunch as planned. I will call as soon as I have news about Ritsu."

While Hotta and Tachibana helped Tetsuya secure his seatbelt into the passenger side of the back seat, Kyoya walked around and climbed into the back seat on the driver's side.

Haruhi's eyes met Kyoya's in the rearview mirror. "Buckle up," she called as she shifted into gear.

"And hold on tight," Kyoya muttered through clenched teeth. "She's been taking driving lessons from Atsuhiro," he informed Tetsuya.

Tetsuya chuckled nervously, remembering the ride to Kobe the summer Haruhi was kidnapped.

Calmly, Haruhi said, "It's been great. He's teaching me how to tail someone as well as how to evade a tail using speed and maneuverability. Next, we're going to work on defensive driving against an aggressive driver and aggressive driving against a threat."

Tetsuya's knuckles were white as he gripped the door handle and the seat when she whipped around corners. Kyoya's grip wasn't quite as tight, but he was holding on as well.

It didn't take long for them to reach the hospital. When Haruhi pulled up in front of the emergency entrance, Kenji was pacing the sidewalk waiting for them. As soon as he opened the door for Tetsuya, Kenji said, "Tachibana called ahead. There is a doctor standing by to examine you."

"Where's Ritsu?" Tetsuya demanded as he ignored Kenji comment and tried to sidestep Kenji and Kyoya. The pair caught him as he faltered and nearly fell.

"I'll park the car and meet you in the waiting room in a few minutes," Haruhi called before rolling the window up and pulling away from the curb.

Trying to sooth Tetsuya's fears, Kenji explained, "They took Ritsu straight into surgery. The best doctors are with him." He nodded to an orderly who was waiting with a wheelchair. "Reiko is at the nurse's station providing information for Ritsu's intake paperwork. As soon as the doctor clears you, we'll join her in the waiting room."

"I want to go now," Tetsuya insisted as he tried to walk past the wheelchair. He stumbled and Kyoya and Kenji each caught an arm and maneuvered him into the chair. The orderly immediately started pushing him in the direction of an examining room where a doctor was waiting and watching the proceedings.

Dr. Yang observed the patient with a frown. "They said it was a gang beating. That could mean any number of injuries." She looked around at the other two doctors in the surgical suite. The anesthesiologist was checking the patient's eyes with a light. "Probably evaluating for a concussion to determine if a local will be required instead of general anesthesia." The other doctor, Dr. Tanabe, was currently positioning a portable x-ray machine over the patient's right arm. That arm appeared to be in better shape than the left arm and leg.

The frown on the anesthesiologist's face relaxed and he murmured, "No sign of a concussion, but I will monitor him closely throughout the surgery to be sure he doesn't have any adverse reactions. We should begin soon. I don't like the looks of his blood pressure."

"Have the units of blood arrived?" Dr. Yang asked. She was interrupted by the door opening and her assisting nurse walked in.

"I went down to get them myself," she said. "From what Kenji described, time may be of the essence for this young man."

"Good job," Dr. Yang replied. She turned to Dr. Tanabe. "Is he stable enough for me to begin?"

"Just give me a couple minutes to splint his right arm to give you room to work." He busied himself with padding, gently straightening, and splinting the arm. "It appears to be a clean break and no damage to the hand, wrist, or elbow. The cast can be applied later when the swelling goes down." The doctor pulled over a small rolling table the same height as the surgical table and moved the arm onto it. "That should keep it out of your way without incurring further damage."

As Dr. Yang stepped up to the table and pulled back the drape to expose the abdomen where she needed to make the incisions. She could tell by the shape of the bruises that the patient had been kicked with pointed-toed boots or shoes. "No wonder there's internal bleeding. The force would have been concentrated at the impact point rather than spread over a broader area."

The assisting nurse moved a rolling table covered with instruments and supplies up close without interfering with Dr. Yang's access. She waited attentively for the doctor's needs.

Requesting a scalpel, Dr. Yang studied the blooming bruises that covered most of the exposed area to determine the most advantageous entry point. Gently, she made the first incision and blood flowed out, as expected from the internal bleeding.

"Suction and irrigate the area please." Dr. Yang watched as the blood was washed away and two damaged blood vessels were exposed. She called for the sutures and began repairing the first. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Dr. Tanabe was moving the portable x-ray machine to the corner.

After completing the first repair, Dr. Yang addressed Dr. Tanabe, "Please catalogue the patient's injuries while I repair this bleeder."

"I already told you about the right arm. His left side appears to have taken most of the beating. Three ribs are cracked. There are compound fractures of the radius and ulna that may require surgery after the swelling goes down. There are three broken fingers. The tibia and fibula have simple fractures. There may be a bone bruise to the femur, if the heel mark on his thigh is any indication. " Dr. Tanabe shook his head as he paused. "There must have been at least four people beating and kicking him."

Kenji, Kyoya, and Haruhi waited for the doctor to finish examining Tetsuya. Within a few minutes, the doctor informed them, "Other than the black eye and a strained shoulder, your friend is fine." He turned to Tetsuya and continued, "No sling needed. Just avoid lifting anything with your left arm for the next three days."

As soon as the doctor walked away, Tetsuya turned to them and asked plaintively, "Can I go to Ritsu now?"

Haruhi laid a hand on his right arm. "We can go to the waiting room and ask Reiko for news."

"Okay," he huffed, realizing that it was really all they could offer since Ritsu was in surgery.

The quartet walked silently through the halls, each lost in their own thoughts. Kyoya's expression was calculating. "This is the last straw with the Sendo syndicate. It's time to take them down."

Just before they reached the waiting room, Tetsuya stopped. "I need to call Ritsu's dad. He should be here."

"That's a good idea," Kenji assured him. "Just join us when you're ready." He entered the waiting room and left Tetsuya relatively alone in the hallway near the nurses' station.

Reiko was perched on the edge of a chair with her eyes closed when they entered. She appeared to be deep in thought or meditating. "No word yet," she stated without opening her eyes. Kenji settled in a chair near her.

Haruhi walked over to the refreshment station and poured five glasses of juice. She took a deep breath before downing a glass in one gulp. Then she handed glasses to Kyoya, Reiko, and Kenji.

Tetsuya slipped his phone into his pocket as he stumbled into the waiting room. He dropped into the nearest chair and held his head in his hands.

Haruhi knelt by him and offered him a glass of juice. "When was the last time you ate?" she asked softly.

He lifted his head and looked at her in confusion. "Toast and coffee about six this morning?" It came out more as a question than a statement.

Pushing the glass into his hands, she said, "Drink this. It will help." Checking the time, she added, "I think we could all use something to eat. It's well past lunch time. I'll take care of it."

Mitsukuni sighed as he listened to Rene tell a story about his mother. "I miss Reiko. I wish she were here."

Takashi laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. Right now, no news is good news," he whispered.

"You're right," Mitsukuni admitted, before returning his attention to the stories.

The doctor was concentrating on finishing the repair to the second bleeder when the anesthesiologist remarked, "Dr. Yang, the patient's blood pressure is dropping slowly. There must be another bleeder in there somewhere."

"I don't see anything obvious. I hope there's not a perforation in the intestines." She contemplated the most likely hiding places for a bleeder. "Nurse, please irrigate, suction, and then sponge the area dry. Hopefully, that will expose the problem."

As the nurse followed Dr. Yang's instructions, the doctor gently began examining every inch of the intestinal tract.

"Found it," the nurse declared. "The swelling was hiding it."

"Good work. After I fix that, I want to resection the small intestines here." She indicated a spot near the midpoint. "There are two bulges in this six-inch span near the appendix. There's potential for those to rupture." Turning to Dr. Tanabe, she asked, "What do you think?"

Contemplating his hands for a moment, he called, "I'll go change gloves and scrub up before I take a look." He soon returned and performed a gentle, but thorough examination before stating, "I concur. Better safe than sorry."

Dr. Yang nodded her acknowledgement as she focused on finishing the repair of the third bleeder. "How's his blood pressure?" Dr. Yang asked.

"Improving. I think that was the last one." The anesthesiologist eyed the monitors. "He's stable, but his temperature is cooling. Nurse, please place several blankets in the warmer."

Dr. Yang called for the clamps and set to work on the re-sectioning. Cutting away the damaged portion and attaching the two cut edges went smoothly. Sighing in satisfaction as removing the clamps revealed no leakage, Dr. Yang asked, "Will you please close, Dr. Tanabe?"

The other doctor called for the sutures, examining the surgical site carefully before stitching the incision closed and dressing the wound.

"Good job everyone," Dr. Yang called as she stepped away from the table. "I'll go talk to the family."

Riki Kasanoda, Ritsu's father, arrived about fifteen minutes after Tetsuya called him. He rushed into the waiting room. As soon as he spotted Tetsuya, he hurried over and asked, "What happened?"

Tetsuya was about to stand when Riki placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Just give me to facts. No need to stand on ceremony."

Taking a deep breath, Tetsuya explained that he and Ritsu were helping a noodle shop owner clean up after someone had thrown a brick through the window. Six Sendo thugs appeared out of nowhere. They locked the shop owner in the stockroom. Then two held Tetsuya and made him watch as the other four beat and kicked Ritsu.

Kyoya, Haruhi, Reiko, and Kenji moved to surround the pair, lending support to Tetsuya as he re-lived the attack. Tetsuya ran his hands through his hair. "It took too long for me to break free from the two holding me. By the time I got the other four away from Ritsu, he was unconscious. I just picked him up, held him in front of me on my bike and headed for Hinansho."

"Why there?" Riki asked in a flat voice.

Tetsuya looked up and his expression begged for understanding. "We were in the middle of Kasanoda territory. If they were that bold, what would stop them from going after Ritsu in the hospital to finish the job?"

Riki dropped into the seat next to Tetsuya and draped his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "You did the right thing." He looked up at the four surrounding them. "I've heard that Hinan Hospital has the best doctors. I'm sure…"

Dr. Yang stepped into the waiting room and asked, "Are you Ritsu Kasanoda's family?"

Squeezing Tetsuya's shoulder gently before standing up, Riki turned to address the doctor, "I am his father. How is he?"

"He came through the surgery well and is in recovery. We were able to repair the internal bleeding. Both arms are fractured, and one may require surgery. He has fractures in his lower left leg and three cracked ribs." Dr. Yang paused before adding, "There is no sign of concussion or complications. I will have a nurse take you to him as soon as he is settled in a room. The anesthesia will wear off in about an hour. He will need to stay in the hospital for several days, but we're cautiously optimistic that he will make a full recovery with no lingering effects."

Sagging in relief, Riki whispered, "Thank you, doctor." Then he dropped into a chair and held his head in his hands.

Haruhi stepped forward. "Dr. Yang, thank you."

Dr. Yang looked as her and then at Kyoya, trying to place the pair. "Mitsukuni's friends, right? How's he doing?"

"You remembered. He's doing well." Haruhi gestured for Reiko to join them. "This is his wife, Reiko."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Dr. Yang said. "How long have you two been married?"

"It will be two years soon," Reiko replied. "I can't thank you enough for all you did for Mitsukuni."

"Glad I could be of service." Checking the time, Dr. Yang excused herself. "I must go, I need to clean up before rounds."

As Dr. Yang was about to leave, she turned and asked with a grin, "Do I need to authorize a cuddle pile?"

Kyoya and Haruhi exchanged a glance. "We were planning one for tonight anyway. Glad to have official approval."

"I will leave the order at the nurses' station and have one of the carts with the air mattresses, pillows, and blankets moved to Ritsu's room," she called over her shoulder.

The door hadn't even closed when a nurse stepped in and said, "I will take you to Mr. Kasanoda's room now."

Kenji excused himself, "My job here is done. I'll call Atsuhiro for a ride home. Give my best to Ritsu."

Everyone listened with rapt attention as Ageha talked about her last trip with her parents. She had been so excited to have them all to herself, rather than sharing their attention with her brothers. For her it was literally half a life ago, but a lot of the details were fresh.

Estee started rubbing Hikaru's back as his breaths started getting erratic, overcome with emotion at hearing the details of the final days of his parents' lives. He laid his head on her shoulder, accepting the comfort from his fiancé.

Kaoru reached for Coco's hands to ground himself in the moment as he watched his little sister relive the immense joy that turned to a great tragedy in a matter of minutes. She moved closer to silently assure him that she was there to help him through.

The others in the room subtly moved closer as if creating a huge group hug.

"I hope Kyoya, Haruhi, and Reiko get back in time for our cuddle pile tonight," Rene thought, feeling their absence acutely as emotions were running high.

When they reached Ritsu's room, Riki rushed to his son's bedside, afraid to touch him for fear of causing pain. The others waited outside the door for a few minutes to give him some time.

Tetsuya was torn. He wanted to be in there, but he felt that beating was somehow his fault, and the guilt was eating at his gut.

Haruhi noticed his indecision. "Go. Let him know you're here." She pushed him gently through the door.

"You two go in and start getting things set up for the cuddle pile," Kyoya prompted.

"What about you?" Haruhi asked. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'm going to call Fuyumi to inform everyone about Ritsu's condition as well as the new location for the cuddle pile tonight." He smiled at his wife affectionately. "Don't worry. I'll be in to help in a few minutes."

When Fuyumi's phone vibrated, she checked the caller ID and then slipped out of the dining room. As she answered the phone, she stepped into one of the alcoves in the lobby. "Kyoya, how is Ritsu?"

"He came through the surgery well according to Dr. Yang," Kyoya responded with a smirk in his voice.

"Mitsukuni's Dr. Yang?" she said incredulously. Then she added, "Actually, that makes sense. She is the best surgeon."

"In more ways than one," Kyoya replied. "She already approved a cuddle pile here in Ritsu's room so he can be surrounded by familiar faces in addition to his father and Tetsuya."

"I'll let everyone know. We'll see you in a couple of hours. That way Ritsu's father has time with him before the crowd invades." Fuyumi chuckled at the mental image of the crowd in the dining room invading the hospital.

"See you soon," Kyoya remarked as he ended the call.

Ritsu slowly woke up, confused by the sounds surrounding him. "This definitely is not my bed, but why would I fall asleep anywhere else." He tried to remember what he and Tetsuya had planned for the day. "Where am I and how did I get here?" When he tried to push himself up to a sitting position, he fell back with a gasp as the pain shot up his arms.

"I'm right here," Riki assured him, sitting forward in the chair by the head of the bed.

Squinting at the light, Ritsu murmured, "Pops, what are you doing here? And where exactly is here?" Suddenly memories of the noodle house and Sendo thugs blazed through his thoughts. "Where's Tetsuya? Is he okay?" he demanded, looking around frantically.

"I'm right here," Tetsuya said tentatively from the other side of the bed.

Ritsu groaned as another wave of pain swept over him. "I feel like I was hit by a truck."

Chuckling mirthlessly, Tetsuya supplied, "Not a truck, just four Sendo thugs." He hung his head. "I'm really sorry all this happened. Maybe it would be best if I go..."

"NO!" Ritsu yelled, trying to reach Tetsuya before dropping back to the pillow as he realized he couldn't move his arms. "Please stay," he gasped through the pain.

Riki patted his son's uninjured right ankle lightly. "Don't worry, we won't let him go anywhere."

"Wait, who's 'we'?" Ritsu questioned groggily.

Haruhi appeared at the foot of the hospital bed holding onto Tetsuya's elbow. "He means the Hinan family."

Kyoya's stepped up next to her. "This is the last straw. The Sendo Syndicate needs to be stopped once and for all," he growled.

Riki raised an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Contemplating the young man and his declaration, Riki asked, "Just what do you mean by 'the last straw'? And how do you propose to tangle with a syndicate?"

"The Sendo Syndicate has been involved in several attempts to hurt members of the extended Hinan family. I don't know how to deal with them…yet," Kyoya replied with a smirk. "Give me three days to collect information. Then I should have an idea or two."

"Count me in," Riki growled. "Going after my son like this is unforgiveable…and in my own territory, no less." He looked at Ritsu and ran a comforting hand through his son's hair. "I need to get back and tell the fellas you're going to be okay before they decide to take matters into their own hands, and I have to clean up a mess." Standing, he turned to Kyoya and said, "I will contact you in three days to set up a meeting. I'd like to see what you have planned by then."

"Agreed," Kyoya replied, holding out a business card with his phone numbers. "As a point of information, do you mind if I involve the police? I have a contact who has been extremely helpful in the past."

Riki stroked his chin as he contemplated Kyoya's request. Finally, he said, "I will trust you on that point. I've heard rumors going around that you know incorruptible members of the police force."

Kyoya bowed respectfully. "I value that trust. For now, we will keep your son safe as you tend to other matters."

"Thank you." Riki gave his son's ankle one last gentle squeeze before heading out.

OHSHC

Haruhi woke up to the sound of Ritsu groaning softly. She carefully extricated herself from Kyoya's arms in the cuddle pile. Approaching the hospital bed quietly, she whispered, "Do you need me to call the nurse, Ritsu?"

"No," he replied hoarsely. "I just need a drink of water, but I can't reach it."

"Let me help." She repositioned the straw in the cup of water that was placed on the moving tray next to the bed. While he was quenching his thirst, she brushed some stray hairs out of his face before laying the back of her hand on his forehead. In addition to an elevated temperature, she noticed how tense he was.

"You are feeling a little warm," Haruhi commented. "I think I will get the nurse, just to be on the safe side."

Dropping his head back onto the pillow, he heaved a sigh and muttered, "Maybe you should. The pain is starting to get really uncomfortable."

"I'll be right back," she replied before heading out the door.

Minutes later, Haruhi was back with the night nurse who checked Ritsu's temperature as well as his pulse, blood pressure, and dressings. After examining his chart, the nurse said, "I'll be right back. It is time for your pain medication."

Ritsu sighed softly and lay listening to the breathing of the members of the cuddle pile on the other side of the room. Finally, he said, "Hey, Haruhi?"

"Yes, Ritsu?" she responded, stepping closer.

"Is Tetsuya asleep?"

"It took a while for him to drop off, but exhaustion finally won the battle," she commented with a smile in her voice. "Do you need me to get him for you?"

Before he could say anything, the nurse returned with a syringe of pain medication to add to his IV. After administering it, she said, "That should help you rest. Sleep is the best thing for you right now." Then she left, closing the door quietly behind her.

Haruhi repeated, "Do you need me to get Tetsuya for you?"

Groggily, he slurred, "No. I want you to convince the Hinan family to adopt him. I'm worried about what the Sendo will do to him because he helped me get away."

Haruhi leaned over and kissed him gently on the forehead. "As long as Tetsuya agrees, I know the Hinans would adopt him in a heartbeat." She stood up and smoothed his hair. "You go ahead and rest now. I'll talk to Tetsuya in the morning."

"Okay," he murmured as he slipped into a drugged, but peaceful sleep.

OHSHC

Three days after Ritsu's surgery, Kyoya, Haruhi, and Tachibana sat in the small private dining room at 'My Place' waiting for Riki and Inspector Yoshinaga. Haruhi looked over the information they had gathered. "How long do you think it will take to develop a successful plan from these bits and pieces?"

Shrugging, Kyoya replied, "It all depends on what Riki and Inspector Yoshinaga bring to add to it. It could take a year, or it could take two weeks."

"That quickly?" she remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"Tetsuya insists that the Sendo thugs have a habit of gossiping like a bunch of bored housewives at a beauty parlor, especially those four he identified by name," Kyoya said with a shrug. "I trust his assessment of the situation."

The couple looked up as the manager opened the door and escorted Riki into the room. "I will send a tea service in right away," the manager assured them as he closed the door.

Kyoya stood and gestured for Riki to take a seat. He handed the older man four pages containing their information with potential plans and contingencies.

Laying a folder on the table, Ritsu's father sat down and started to examine the documents. He hummed and smiled as he finished reading the first page. "By the way, will Tetsuya be joining us today in our plotting and planning?"

"He insisted on staying at the hospital with Ritsu," Haruhi explained with a smile. "Ritsu was getting restless, and Tetsuya wanted to be sure he didn't try to do something foolish, like leave the hospital."

"Good to know." Riki continued to peruse the information from the Hinan family.

A few minutes later, the manager opened the door again, pushing a cart with a tea tray and leading a man from the police in an Inspector's uniform carrying a briefcase.

"Good to see you against, Inspector Yoshinaga," Haruhi said as she stood to pour the tea. "Please have a seat. Kyoya will make the introductions while I serve."

Both Riki and Inspector Yoshinaga appeared nervous as Kyoya introduced them. "We all have the same goal here," Kyoya stated. "To take down the Sendo Syndicate. Their human trafficking, extortion, drugs, weapons, and other nefarious activities are hurting far too many innocent people."

"As if the Kasanoda Clan doesn't do the same," Inspector Yoshinaga muttered under his breath.

Riki bristled and was about to snap back when Kyoya intervened. "Actually, while the Kasanoda Clan does profit from the vices such as card rooms and strip clubs, they do no real damage. Even their protection 'racket' actually provides the protection promised. They consider their territory as family and watch over them as such."

Both the inspector and yakuza head looked at Kyoya with startled expressions. Tachibana tried to hide a smile as it appeared they had underestimated the information sources and analytical prowess of the young man.

Haruhi startled all of them out of their thoughts by placing cups of tea on the table in front of them. "Shall we begin?" she asked. "I'd rather not spend all day here. We have other matters which also require our attention."

Shaking his head to clear it, Riki pulled several sheets out of the folder at his elbow and handed them to the others at the table. "Here is the most reliable information that I have on the Sendo. Most of it is from things Tetsuya verified for me or Ritsu."

The inspector pulled a couple files out of his briefcase and handed those around as well. "This is all of the information that will not compromise current cases against the syndicate."

The group took time to sip their tea and read the various reports. Although there was overlap in the information, each brought some useful nuggets. Haruhi retrieved a legal pad and several pens from her satchel that she had tucked out of sight in the corner when they first arrived. She chuckled to herself as she noted that they all knew about the four gossips.

Half an hour later, Kyoya spoke up, "I think that we can all agree that the newest member of the Hinan family is correct that starting several similar but opposing rumors with those four people should filter through the entire Sendo Syndicate within ten days. If we wait two weeks, the rumors will morph into something that will only need a little additional information to make the Sendo Syndicate dance to whatever tune we decide to play."

"I concur," Inspector Yoshinaga agreed. "Now we just need to figure out our plan to take them down and devise the most effective rumors to feed them."

Riki frowned at the notes he had made on his papers. "One thing to keep in mind. We need to contain the takedown so the Sendo can't drag in innocent bystanders as hostages or shields."

"Fair point." The inspector looked over a map he brought. He shook his head in consternation. "I really don't see a good place to conduct the takedown that won't result in collateral damage."

The grin on Riki's face was practically feral. "I know of one place that would be perfect."

"Where?" Tachibana asked, scrutinizing the inspector's map.

"Here." Riki pointed to a spot in a very crowded neighborhood.

Kyoya, Haruhi, and Tachibana exchanged grins as they realized just where he was pointing. The inspector looked around at the grins and finally asked, "Okay. What am I missing?"

"That," Riki emphasized, "is the Kasanoda compound. All we have to do is lure them inside. The takedown would be away from the public and completely within our control."

Inspector Yoshinaga stared at the yakuza head in disbelief. "You would allow police action in your…home?"

"I won't reveal all of my secrets, but I will allow you and officers you trust to have access," Riki explained. "I happen to know that I have three extremely lazy men in my organization that have been…envious of the money the Sendo Syndicate has been raking in. They're very vocal about wanting more money when they don't think it will get back to me."

"How will that help?" Haruhi asked curiously. "Do they have connections to the four gossips?"

"They do. And that's what will make their part in the plan work. I'm just not sure how to explain my leaving the compound with my four lieutenants while assigning those three to man the gate." Riki looked thoughtful. "It would have to be a significant, though unspecified threat that would also require a full inventory of the supplies stored at the compound."

"Why the inventory?" Inspector Yoshinaga inquired.

"That is the one activity that would require the most personnel to be pulled away from the gate and into the bowels of the compound. Those three are lazy, so they would volunteer to man the gate while everyone else is busy," Riki explained. "It is the best way to clear my people out while allowing select members to lead in the police forces and position them at strategic points within the compound for the ambush when those three let the Sendo Syndicate in."

Tachibana made notes on his pad and then tapped his pen on it while deep in thought. "What rumor will we use to lure them into the ambush we have planned?" he mused.

"A new group trying to move in and take over territory," Haruhi stated. "There are several variations that we could 'leak' to the gossips. The new group is targeting the Sendo. The new group is targeting the Kasanoda. The new group plans to approach the Sendo for an alliance against the Kasanoda. The new group plans to approach the Kasanoda for an alliance against the Sendo," she enumerated as she ticked them off on her fingers.

Kyoya grinned. "That could work out beautifully. They are close enough that they would think a piece of information was communicated wrong."

"That would fit right in with my leaving the compound with my lieutenants," Riki agreed.

"Now we just need the additional bit of information that leads them to believe that the Kasanoda compound will be vulnerable at a specific time," the inspector interjected.

Haruhi rubbed her hands together gleefully. "I know just the tidbit to give the gossips for that set up." She chuckled evilly. The men looked at her expectantly as she continued, "The best part is that it will actually be the truth."

"What is it?" Riki asked in confusion.

"We tell them either the new group is going to take out the Kasanoda leadership or vice versa," Haruhi grinned smugly. "Either way, the Hinan family will be taking the Kasanoda leadership out to dinner here at 'My Place.' The Sendo will believe that they can set up an ambush at the Kasanoda compound for whichever group emerges successfully from the encounter. What they won't know is that the police will already be there to ambush them."

The men stared at her as they contemplated the plan she was suggesting. As each worked their way through the pros and cons, they started to smile at the simplicity. The four exchanged glances and Riki finally declared, "It sounds like we have a plan."

OHSHC

Two weeks later, the Hinan family was enjoying an after-dinner cup of tea with Riki, his lieutenants, Ritsu, and Tetsuya. Ageha, Kirimi, Hibiki, and Masaya had stayed with the Itos at Hinansho since this was essentially a business meeting. Kyoya and Riki were discussing a potential partnership to invest in a Liling porcelain firm in the Huan province of China. Their discussion was interrupted by a text from Inspector Yoshinaga.

"The inspector is requesting our presence at the Kasanoda compound, especially Tetsuya," Kyoya announced.

Everyone set down their teacups and gathered their belongings. Tetsuya released the brake on Ritsu's wheelchair and guided it toward the door. "I'll help Ritsu get loaded into the transport," he called over his shoulder.

Riki and his group climbed into their vehicle and waited for the others to load their two transports, before pulling out and leading them to the compound. The three vehicles were met by a line of police officers that waved them through after verifying their identities.

Riki led the group to the front gate and opened it to lead them into the guard room. When they entered the courtyard, they saw rows of men on their knees with their hands behind their heads, police officers moving among them to secure hands with zip-ties.

Inspector Yoshinaga met them near the guard room door. His expression was serious as he asked Tetsuya, "Did we get them all?"

Leaving Ritsu's chair near Riki, Tetsuya advanced carefully toward the prisoners. Looking around and counting heads, he finally replied, "Unless they added some new members in the last two weeks, this should be all of them."

The leader of the Sendo Syndicate tried to lunge at Tetsuya, even though he was on his knees with his hands secured behind his back. "You little traitor!" he spat vehemently. "How could you betray your own father?"

Tetsuya's expression hardened. "My father?" He scoffed. "The last time I saw you was on my eighteenth birthday when you locked me in one of your brothels and said you wouldn't consider me a man or even your son until I'd slept with at least three of the girls there."

"Well, did you?" Tetsuya's father demanded.

"No," the young man growled. "Those poor girls were terrified and there was no way I was going to add to their trauma just to satisfy your twisted mind."

"Weakling! You are no longer my son! I disown you!" the Sendo leader screamed.

Haruhi stepped forward and placed a hand on Tetsuya's shoulder. "Too little, too late," she stated. "He hasn't been a Sendo for a while." She thought, "Well, two weeks is a short while."

"He's been helping the Kasanoda Clan for years against his own family," Tetsuya's father declared.

"What do you mean by that?" Kyoya asked, arching an eyebrow.

"First, he turned over information to the police about my group extorting money from people who moved out of Sendo territory to get better jobs."

Chuckling, Kyoya said, "Sorry, but you're wrong. I was the one who put an end to that little scheme. The Hinan family did not take kindly to their employees being threatened."

The Sendo leader looked at him incredulously. "Okay, well maybe that was you. Then there was the group I sent to Kobe to take over the lucrative sweet potato farms. That had to be the Kasanodas because I heard that Ritsu was involved."

Haruhi laughed and waved a hand in front of her face. "That was totally incidental on my part. I escaped from a kidnapping attempt and stumbled onto the scheme. I convinced them that giant rodents were invading. Ritsu was there because he was mentioned in a coded message I sent through a friend so the Hinan family could come get me."

He stared at her incredulously. "And the poppy fields…" He paled, almost afraid to ask.

Fuyumi piped up, "That was me. I wasn't targeting the Sendo Syndicate directly. It was collateral damage from taking down Hayato Mikoshiba for his part in the murder of my husband."

"I'm almost afraid to ask about the shrine," he muttered.

Chiharu stepped forward. "That was my doing. They got what was coming to them. Kidnapping people from a shrine for human trafficking is just despicable."

Tetsuya looked at the members of the Hinan family that had just explained their roles in the downfall of the Sendo Syndicate. He held his sides, bending over and howling with laughter. When he finally caught his breath, he declared, "So, for the most part, women took down the syndicate."

Inspector Yoshinaga looked smug as he commented, "That appears to be the case." He nodded to the Hinan family. "Thank you for your help. I look forward to our next…collaboration." He turned to Riki. "Thank you for the use of your compound. Please excuse us while we take out the trash." The inspector gesture to his men to start loading the prisoners in the transport that arrived while they were talking.

As the group watched the prisoners being led away, Hikaru and Kaoru slipped up behind Ritsu and put a cat's ear headband on him.

"What are you doing?" Ritsu demanded, shaking his head, trying to dislodge the ears since both of his arms were encased in casts.

"We just want to announce a masquerade party that we're hosting at the Hitachiin Estate next month," the twins chorused. "The theme will be 'Gender Bender.' We have developed some bodysuits that we want everyone's help to test. They are supposed to make a man pass as a woman and a woman pass as a man."

Yuzuru shook his head and chuckled. "Never a dull moment with this family, is there?" he asked Rene.

"And we wouldn't have it any other way," Rene responded with a grin.

16