A/N: Welcome to another crazy ride of mine! I have been working on this story for the last 4 months and I am not even halfway. I originally scheduled posting this on Kaoruko's birthday [3/3] and I did but on Ao3 as ffn decided to go crazy on me that day so you guys would get 4 chaps and catch up with that other website.

About this story, I will use ALL the characters plus some OCs. All the mobile game characters are also included with the exception of the giraffe because come on, it's a Yakuza AU. This is a Mayakuro story even if it doesn't look like in the beginning, just have some faith. If you don't like lesbian relationships, lol you're in the wrong fandom as all are pretty gay here.

Reviews are always appreciated.

Enjoy!


1.- I pledge my life to you


It was not that cold for being the end of autumn, but a chilly wind entered the room and the sleeping woman still in bed frowned slightly at the change in the room's temperature. Not a minute later, the soft chords of a shamisen being tuned were heard and the slumbering woman let out a small sigh.

The now tuned shamisen was now playing a rhythmic song with soft and slow tunes as if trying to pull the asleep lady from dreamland. The skillful yet delicate fingers caressed the strings with care like a lover's touch that just wants to welcome its lover to a new day. The tune turned slightly faster and elaborated but the one playing didn't skip a note, just like the shamisen master the player was.

Nimble digits danced around the strings while the ivory Bachi teased the silk strings producing deeper and sharper tones. During a fast part of the song, the sleeping woman started humming softly while stretching her legs under the delicate and elegant silk sheets that slid slightly and an unfinished tattoo could be seen adorning a great part of her back. In the middle of her shoulder blades, an elaborated Mt. Fuji raised with a colorful lake at its feet.

On each side thick yet beautifully unfinished tattooed Sakura trees in bloom looked like they swayed thanks to the wind that made some pinkish petals glide. Some seemed to want to fly away while others landed around a regal swan swimming in the middle of the cerulean lake.

Contrary to tradition, the tattoo owner decided to pick the regal bird over the more traditional cranes as she felt that it fitted her personality more. And who was a mere tattoo artist to contradict the heiress of the Hakuchu-gumi, one of the most powerful branches of the Yakuza that controlled the center and north regions of the island country?

When the soft tunes of the shamisen started dying away, mauve eyes opened, and a smile graced her lips. The woman now sat and grabbed her kiseru, a traditional pipe with its mouthpiece and bowl made of gold with a tubular shaft of elegantly engraved bamboo stretching between them. Just when the woman in the bed was about to light the tobacco in her kiseru, the shamisen abruptly stopped and amused mauve locked with frowning light purple.

"Isn't it too early to be smoking, Maya-sama?"

"Like everything in life, nothing is permanent, Tomoe-san" the raspy voice of the recently awoke brunette gently replied before inhaling softly "so why not enjoy it fully?"

"If by poisoning your lungs you meant living life to its fullest, I pass" the woman sitting by the bed placed the shamisen in its case before turning to observe at the one smoking in bed with a disapproving look that elicited a small chuckle from the brunette.

"I am only human, Tomoe-san, and, as one, I do have flaws" the one sitting in the bed replied before letting the fair smoke escape her lips.

"I still don't understand your reasoning behind that hideous habit of yours, but fine" Tamao sighed, and Maya smiled "and I also don't understand the reason why you still address me by my last name after having shared the same bed for more than a season, however"

"As seasons pass by, old deaths lead to new beginnings, just like the sleeping trees lead to a blooming spring," Maya inhaled once more from her kiseru and let the smoke invade her lungs a bit longer before exhaling softly and replying with a tilt of her head "so, why getting attached?"

"Nevermind" Tamao sighed and rolled her eyes to Maya's amusement "you are too cryptic for being this early"

"And you wouldn't have me any other way" the brunette replied before leaving her kiseru on an ashtray resting on her nightstand "what I am is a bit cold as my companion decided of leaving me alone in bed" at this, she raised the silk blankets that revealed the rest of her naked body.

"Care to join me once more?" Maya asked with a mischievous smile that widened the moment Tamao's cheeks reddened before letting her delicate robe hit the floor as she slid under the silk bedsheets "now, do you mind if we continue where we left off last night?"

"I-" Tamao gasped when Maya's expert fingers traced patterns around her mounds and the brunette stared at her with hungry eyes and a predatory smile that made Tamao shiver the moment Maya grabbed her by the wrists and kissed her passionately.

The joys of their lovemaking didn't last long when a knock on the door interrupted right after Tamao climaxed, and an extremely annoyed Maya got out of bed, dressed in a dark blue silk robe, and slammed the door open to land her enraged mauve orbs on Hikari's indifferent azure stare of the same shade of the tie she wore along with her dark suit.

"What?" Maya shouted without hiding her annoyance.

"Maya-sama, I just came to remind you that the initiation is still ongoing, and your mother has required your presence to bless the new bond of your two subordinates together," Hikari added with a respectful bow "I was ordered to escort you to the main hall where your mother is waiting for you"

"Very well, let okaa-sama know that I will be joining her in half an hour" Maya replied in a calmer tone before closing the door and letting her forehead rest on the cool wood before letting out a long sigh. Sometimes being the daughter of the boss was a nuisance.

"From your reaction, I assume that I will need to cut my visit short" Tamao's voice made Maya turn around and look at her.

"I am afraid you are quite mistaken, Tomoe-san," the brunette smiled before signaling the younger girl to follow her to the bathroom "you see, okaa-sama is a creature of tradition so your services as a player will be required so you'd better get ready"

"May I join you in the bath? I can also fix your hair and help you get into your furisode as I know you will have a hard time trying to get into that kimono by yourself" Tamao suggested with a sincere smile. She would do anything to make Maya's life easier, even if that includes acting as her maid at times.

At this, Maya stopped, turned around, and lifted Tamao's chin with her index finger so their eyes locked "very well" the brunette replied with a smile that widened slightly as a thought crossed her mind before brushing her lips against the shorter woman "let's get ready to see my mother, shall we?"

"By all means, Maya-sama," Tamao replied with a smile before closing the bathroom door shut. Soon, the sound of running water along with muffled gasps and moans were heard coming from it.


"About time you got here, dear daughter" the melodious and slightly irritated voice of Tendo Aoi resonated and her only offspring couldn't help but wince slightly before bowing respectfully in front of her mother, the current boss of the Hakuchu-gumi, the biggest family conglomerate that controlled all the north of Japan and half of the capital which businesses ranked from talent agencies, restaurants with Michelin stars, truck companies, factories, taxi fleets, and all kinds of traditional arts such as dance and mastering of instruments like shamisen and koto. Those were the legal façades of the business that also included smuggling, trafficking, gambling, and loan sharking.

Due to the family's love for the arts, it was not a surprise that one of the places Tendo Aoi visited the most and acted as some sort of informal headquarters of the Hakuchu-gumi was located in a traditional dance academy named 'the prancing swan', a place where not even the highest ranks of the police dared to approach.

"My apologies, okaa-sama," Maya added softly before sitting by her mother's side. The young heiress was wearing a beautiful black kimono adorned with cranes and a pink obi; "but I was delayed due to an unexpected business opportunity that aroused last night"

"You meant under the sheets," Aoi added with a click of her tongue, and Maya bowed her head in embarrassment and slight pink dusting her cheeks "again with the little girl of the Tomoes"

"Okaa-sama, I-" the soft chords coming from Tamao's shamisen interrupted Maya's words and Aoi shook her head and sighed.

"Her family is a great addition to our organization, but still a minor group that controls just one insignificant business if you compare it with what our family manages" Aoi commented, and Maya kept quiet "I understand your desire to have fun, but just don't mingle pleasure with your duty as my successor"

"It won't happen again, okaa-sama. My apologies," Maya bowed once more, and her mother just hummed. Not a minute later, an elegant girl dressed in a light pink kimono decorated with purple and red fans sat next to Maya after bowing to both mother and daughter.

"I thought that Futaba-han would have passed out by now," whined the blue-haired young woman and Maya raised an amused eyebrow "when she told me that she was going to get both half sleeves done I laughed, but look at her" Kaoruko pointed at the two figures in front of them "she's getting both arms tattooed with irezumi and she makes it look like is nothing"

"Quite a brave and strong-willed kobun you have chosen, Kaoruko-san" Aoi pointed out with a satisfied smile "I am very impressed"

"I agree with okaa-sama," Maya nodded with a smirk "going through irezumi is quite a feat as the ink is jabbed into the skin by hand using only needle-tipped wooden tools" Maya winced at the memory of the time she got her still unfinished tattoo done.

It was such a painful technique that she almost fainted several times and just the thought that she had to go through that same technique to finish her piece of body art made Maya shiver "the pain is excruciating, and the process is too long but the results are beautiful as the colors are more vivid, and the subtle gradations make the tattoo worth the pain"

"Very painful if you ask me" Kaoruko whined "at least we don't have to get a bodysuit tattoo like our ancestors but just one on the back, like ours or sleeves or half sleeves, like Futaba-han's"

"How long has Isurugi-san been through it? It was quite late a day ago when the tattoo artist started with her shoulders" Maya asked turning to look at Kaoruko that tapped her chin with the tip of her red fan.

"Yachiyo-han started tattooing around midnight and stopped for a two-hour break after six hours of work" Kaoruko mused out loud "so around twelve hours yesterday plus eight of today"

"Impressive" Aoi commented with a nod "and Isurugi-san will need at least three or four more sessions to get the half sleeves finished but, despite having done only the linework, it looks magnificent"

"Tendo Aoi-sama, Maya-sama" the pink-haired tattoo artist sat in seiza across from the three women and bowed respectfully next to an equally bowing Futaba "I suggested Isurugi-san let the skin heal before continuing working on her half sleeves. I hope the humble work I have done so far pleases you both"

"Isurugi-san" Aoi called, and Futaba raised her head and kneeled in front of the matriarch of the Hakushu-gumi the moment she waved at her to approach. The pink-haired girl raised her arms proudly for her boss to examine.

"Very detailed," Maya mused and Aoi hummed in approval. A slim branch of Sakura was swayed by the wind and some of its flowers were scattered on the ground while a few petals were carried by the breeze. Under the unfinished tree with delicate branches, rested a daruma leaning on the tree's trunk "nana korobi ya oki"

"Even if you fall seven times, you must stand up for your eighth challenge," Aoi commented while studying the round doll and the symbol on its chest "strength, very fitting."

"I agree with okaa-sama" Maya added before turning to look at Kaoruko that was also studying Futaba's left arm tattoo "matches your tattooed geisha with a devil's mask covering half of her features."

"Well, she's my subordinate" Kaoruko closed her fan and turned to look at Maya "every devil needs strength to conquer the world"

"And that is why I think that Kaoruko-san is perfect for her role in our business," Aoi added with a smile before turning her attention to Futaba's other arm. "A golden dragon is an interesting choice, and even more when it is protecting a swan, our family's symbol."

"Futaba-han is kind and helpful, so I think it describes her perfectly" Kaoruko added with a wave of her fan "all that I need in a subordinate"

"More like a babysitter and a slave, you meant," Futaba whispered with her head bowed. However, the comment didn't escape Aoi and Maya's ears that smiled amused at Kaoruko's huff.

"You may get dressed now, Isurugi-san" Aoi ordered softly, and the pink-haired woman bowed deeply before putting on her sleeveless lilac kimono over her bandaged chest while Yachiyo spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly and proceeded to wrap the upper arms with bandages to protect the unfinished tattoos before bowing respectfully and leaving the place with Tamao in tow.

From a side door on the other side of the room, a pair of women dressed in pale blue kimonos entered and placed a low table and a tray with sake and some cups. The younger of the two servers bowed deeply and approached Aoi who grabbed a cup before Maya.

That same server then placed a tray with a sake bottle between the matriarch and her daughter before bowing one last time and leaving the room with the older server right behind her. Maya then poured her mother a drink while Kaoruko raised from her seat and filled a cup of sake that she offered to Futaba who accepted it with a small bow and a smile.

"For a bond that has been established by our elders' several generations ago between the Tendos, Hoshimis, Kaguras, Hanayagis and Isurugis, and a loyalty that has been reinforced through our ideals, goals, and desires," Aoi raised her cup before continuing "and sealed with the ink linking our hearts that now beat as one" Aoi turned to look at her daughter, so she could finish the toast.

"Isurugi Futaba-san" Maya called in a solemn voice "do you pledge to protect with your life not only your superior but the Tendo family even if that means sacrificing your existence?"

"I pledge to protect both Tendo Aoi and Maya-sama from any harm and stay loyal to not only my oyabun Hanayagi Kaoruko-san, but the Tendo family as a whole" Futaba bowed respectfully to both Maya and Aoi that smiled satisfied.

"Then, so be it" Maya replied before raising her cup a bit more "congratulations on passing your first trial, Isurugi-san" at this, Futaba bowed respectfully once more before raising and sitting next to Kaoruko.

"And let me welcome you, officially, to the Hakuchu-gumi, kanpai!" Aoi added before emptying the content of her cup in a swift yet elegant move that the others replicated before one server entered the room and refilled their cups once more.

"Summon the shamisen player," Aoi ordered one of the servers that promptly bowed and walked towards the place Tamao previously disappeared.

"Proceed with lunch, please," Maya asked kindly and the maid serving the drinks immediately bowed and walked towards the kitchen.

Soon, several trays were placed in front of each of the sitting women who waited for Aoi to take the first bite before starting eating. Not a minute later, the soft tunes of the shamisen were heard once more and more sake was poured for the women to drink. Tamao and Maya's exchanged glances and the former blushed at the hungry stare the Tendo heiress was giving her.

"Oi Kaoruko, stop poking at my arm" Futaba protested "it hurts"

"Ah, but Futaba-han is my kobun now, and I can do as I please with her," and the bluenette giggled and poked the pink-haired girl once more that winced at the touch.

"Don't talk about me as if I am not here!" Futaba protested and even Aoi smirked at this behind her sake cup.

"Stop poking at her arms, Kaoruko-san," Maya smiled amusedly "otherwise Isurugi-san's tattoos won't heal properly"

"You are no fun" the bluenette huffed but did as she was told. Before Kaoruko restarted bothering Futaba, the front doors of the room were opened, and Hikari entered with a tall blonde following her.

"Good afternoon, Tendo-sama," the tall blonde sat in seiza before the hakuchu-gumi head and bowed respectfully "I hope I am not interrupting something important"

"Do not fret, Daiba-san," the matriarch waved dismissively, and Hikari bowed before leaving the room once more "we were just having a friendly lunch"

"I am glad" the blonde replied with a small smile "then you won't mind me delivering a message from my mistress," Nana added before withdrawing from her jacket's inner pocket a dark blue parchment with a silver wax seal where the kanji of the house of Saijo could be easily read that the blonde woman offered to the matriarch with both hands and a lowered head, a sign of utter respect.

"The time has finally come, huh" were the only words that escaped Aoi's lips, and her eyes darkened. Noticing this, Maya frowned at the slight tremble of her mother's hands when she took the parchment and placed it inside her left kimono sleeve before withdrawing a gray parchment with a golden wax seal from her right one that handed to the expecting woman "thank you Daiba-san, would you like to join us for lunch?"

"My apologies, but I can't as Himari-sama is waiting for my return with your reply, Aoi-sama," green eyes looked at the Hakuchu-gumi boss.

"Tell Himari-san that I will see her where we agreed last time during the next red moon" Aoi replied with a slight bow and a polite smile.

"Very well, I will let my mistress know" Nana bowed once more before standing "Now if you excuse me, I will take my leave"

"Send Himari-san my regards"

"I will, Tendo-sama," Nana smiled at the hakuchu-gumi boss before a Hikari closed the door and stood guard by it.

"I don't know why, but she gives me the creeps" Futaba commented before finishing her sake cup "even more when she smiles."

"Daiba-han can be quite scary, and you haven't seen her in action, it's a terrifying sight," Kaoruko added before taking a piece of recently served salmon and chewing it with gusto "just imagine that smile, but more sinister, and covered in blood and lots of dead bodies surrounding her"

"So, she's Hikari-san with her insane rope dagger and guns" Futaba shrugged.

"Yes, but with way fewer bullets and more scattered body parts" Kaoruko added with a wave of her chopsticks "and Daiba-san cleans afterward unlike our Hikari-han that leaves everything a bloody mess for others to pick up," at this, Hikari rolled her eyes and Kaoruko's grin widened.

"Daiba-san is indeed a great asset for the kitsune-gumi" Maya commented before filling her mother's cup one once more before doing the same with hers "but we can also say the same about Kagura-san in hakuchu-gumi" Hikari bowed towards the heiress and the latter smiled and bowed her head slightly.

"Still a messy killer" Kaoruko mumbled to herself with a pout.

"Say, Isurugi-san" Aoi said catching the pink-haired woman's attention.

"Yes, Aoi-sama?" Futaba replied before correcting her posture despite Kaoruko poking her right arm again.

"When do you think your arms would be healed enough to train in kendo with Maya-chan?" the boss added, and the heiress turned to look at her mother with surprise.

"Um" Futaba slapped Kaoruko's hand that withdrew it with a pout, "I think in three or four days"

"Not good enough" Aoi clicked her tongue.

"May I ask why I need to train-" Maya's question was interrupted by a wave of her mother's hand.

"Kagura-san" Aoi called, and the dark-haired woman approached fixing her cerulean tie before bowing deeply.

"Starting this evening you will oversee Maya's training in kendo," the head of the hakuchu-gumi ordered in a serious tone that left no room for argument.

"Of course, Aoi-sama" Hikari replied with a bow before turning to look at the heiress "see you at six in the evening in the bamboo dojo, Maya-sama"

"See you, then Hikari-san," the heiress replied with a polite smile, but before she could inquire her mother about her sudden decision, the head of the hakuchu-gumi spoke sternly.

"I need to talk to Maya-san, alone" Aoi stated in a serious tone and Kaoruko and Futaba bowed to both boss and heiress before leaving the room escorted by Hikari that closed the door behind her.

"Okaa-sama? Is there something wrong?" Maya asked with a slight frown and a tilt of her head. Her mother's odd behavior intrigued her to no end and she didn't like being kept in the dark about anything.

"I bet you are wondering why I asked Kagura-san to train you in kendo knowing that your skills with the sword are second to none" Aoi turned to look at her daughter and her azure orbs locked with Maya's royal purples "and I know that you have been trying to figure out what is inside the parchment Daiba-san brought"

"You know me very well, okaa-sama," Maya smirked "I do appreciate the extra kendo practice, however"

"I know that you are well-versed in your responsibilities when you take over" Aoi stated before taking a sip of her sake "but are you familiar with what the Sakura banquet entails?"

"I know that's the annual banquet celebrated when both Hakuchu-gumi and Kitsune-gumi have chosen their heiresses and certain conditions will be established through-" Maya's eyes widened with the realization "ah, have they chosen an heiress?"

"I think Himari-san should be on it as we speak" Aoi added "but are you aware of all the implications?"

"I am afraid not, okaa-sama," Maya knew there was something else, but she couldn't figure it out for the life of her.

"Well, you see" Aoi started explaining everything related to the Sakura banquet and all that it implied, but the content of the parchment to Maya's chagrin since it was what interested her the most.


A/N: here we go, three more chaps to go