Chapter Thirty-Three: Family Meeting
"Family meeting in fifteen minutes!" Mama's voice rang out, only slightly muffled by the bedroom door.
Startled by the announcement, Kagome dropped her phone mid-text. It thumped softly onto her open composition book, blocking out her messy notes on how to take second derivatives. Sheepishly, she glanced around her room. Well aware that no one could have caught her socializing instead of studying for her calculus final, she felt guilty, nonetheless. Yet between the chain rule and log functions, she was ready for a break.
Reaching for the ceiling, she leaned back and stretched in her chair, a moan escaping her when her shoulders loosened with a pop. The mathematical hoarfrost that encased her mind thawed, and she felt her energy returning. And with it, her hibernating curiosity reawakened. Family meeting?
Abandoning her notes and textbook but not her phone, she bounced up from her seat and headed for her door. When she swung it open, a savory aroma met her and she sighed deeply, breathing it in. A family meeting with seafood curry? She could get used to this.
There was a firm knock at the front door.
"Someone, get that!" Mama called out from the kitchen.
"On it!" Kagome shouted back, and then trotted down the stairs.
When she opened the door, she smiled, "Tora-san!"
"Good evening, Kagome-san," he greeted her.
Still smiling, she shook her head in puzzlement. "Were you looking for Sesshoumaru? We're about to have a family meeting. It shouldn't take too long…"
"Oh, I was invited here," he piped up and then glanced at his smartwatch. "Four thirty. On time."
"You were invited to the family meeting?"
"Uh, I don't know what that is. I was just asked to come by at four thirty."
"But we're about to have a family meeting."
"Maybe I misread the text," he offered and pulled out his phone from his back pocket. "Nope, your mom said to come by at four thirty."
With her brow furrowed, she stared at him, certain that she was missing something.
"Can I come in?" he asked with a worried chuckle.
"Geez, Kagome," Souta sighed behind her, "He's our guest. Let him in."
"Oh, sorry," she apologized. Realizing her rudeness, she stepped back from the door so that he could enter.
"You're worse than that bouncer you were telling us about," Souta added derisively, "Does he also have to pay you five-thousand-yen before you let him in?"
She spun on him. "You've got a smart mouth for a nine-year-old."
"Ten-years old soon," he shouted back at her as he made a wise escape for the living room. Then cheerfully added, "Good evening, Tora-san!"
"Good evening, Souta-chan!" Tora replied with a grin as he pulled off his boots.
She looked at him.
"He got you pretty good," he said, starting to laugh. "By the way, I don't have five thousand yen. Please don't shake me down."
"Everyone's a comedian," she muttered to herself, and then smirked. "How about two thousand?"
His laugh turned nervous.
"Just kidding," she said with a wave. "Come in."
Guiding him as far as the living room, she left him to Souta's care as she walked towards the kitchen. When she stepped through the doorway, she discovered her mother holding a heavy, metal pot over a deep serving dish.
"Oh, Kagome," she said warmly, "You're just in time. Help me pour this into the dish."
She nodded and rushed over. Picking up the spatula, she scooped the curry out as her mother tipped the pot forward until she had scraped it clean.
"It smells so good," she remarked as Mama set the pot back down onto the cooling burner. Gingerly, she slid a finger along the blade of the spatula, scoring a dribble of sauce. She tasted it. "Oh, wow. This is amazing. I mean, your curry is usually great, but this is on another level."
Eagerly, Mama dipped into the pot. With her finger in her mouth, she moaned happily. "You're right! It's even better than I thought it would be."
"Better than you thought it would be?"
"I didn't make it."
"What?"
"Is it satisfactory?" Sesshoumaru asked as he strolled into the kitchen. He headed to the rice cooker and assessed its readiness. The orange light on the appliance glowed, indicating that it was done. Unplugging it, he picked it up, and then looked back at them expectantly.
"It's perfect," Mama praised.
He nodded, pleased. Then he was gone, carrying the rice cooker out to the living room.
"He made it?" Kagome whispered, ignoring the fact that he could hear anything she said no matter how quietly she spoke.
"He insisted," Mama explained as she picked up the serving dish. "He called the meeting and felt that he should make dinner as a token of appreciation."
"He called the meeting?"
She nodded, and then frowned. "I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you earlier. You were so busy studying for your finals this afternoon that I wanted to leave you be."
"Don't worry. I'll be done with them tomorrow, and then it's summer break."
She smiled. "You deserve it."
Picking up a tray piled high with bowls and utensils, Kagome nodded towards the doorway. "Shall we?"
Together, they headed for the living room, and when they arrived, they found the rest of the family already seated around the table. Grandpa sat at the end in a place of honor and beside him was Souta, forming a buffer between him and Tora. A chorus of exaltation burst from the group when the serving platter was set before them. A chunky curry, it was thick with shellfish, shrimp, octopus, and vegetables in a copper-colored sauce. With Mama taking her spot at the other end of the table, Kagome sat beside Sesshoumaru. The cooker's lid popped open with a plume of steam and the fragrant scent of rice mixed with the spiciness of the curry. One by one, Mama filled the bowls and passed them down the table. And once everyone had their serving, a word of gratitude was shared, and they began to eat.
"Normally, it's annoying how good you are at everything," Tora mumbled through a stuffed mouth, "But anytime you want to cook in the future, I'll be there."
Murmurs of agreement rippled around the table.
"Is this your recipe, mama?" Kagome asked as she dug into a mussel. "It seems different."
"You mean better?" Mama joked.
"You said it. Not me."
She chuckled. "No, this is all Sesshoumaru."
"Wait," she said, and turned to him, "There's not a Basic Guide for cooking, is there?"
"It was very informative," he replied as he picked through his bowl, seeking morsels of octopus. "Both in the selection and preparation of ingredients."
"Oh, you'd be really good at the selection part," she admitted, tapping her nose with her fingertip.
Mama laughed. "Well, you weren't the one who went with him to the fish market. Half the vendors won't look me in the eye anymore."
"Their offerings did not meet acceptable standards," he explained. "I merely informed them of that fact."
"The amount of disdain you can pack into a look and a few choice words will always be impressive."
He nodded, accepting the compliment.
Soon, the euphoria of sated appetites enveloped the group as they lounged and sipped tea. On the table between them, the serving dish sat empty of curry, much like every bowl that had been begrudgingly collected and placed within it.
"I know that any of us can call a family meeting, but this is a first for you," Kagome said, giving Sesshoumaru a sidelong look. "Definitely not complaining. Just curious."
"There's a matter that I wish to discuss," he replied, and then nodded towards the jumble of dinnerware. "This meal that I prepared was a measure of my gratitude for your support. As a man without a title, lands, or a people, none of you were obligated to aid me in this new world, and yet you have with grace and patience. As hosts you have served me, and I in turn, wished to serve you."
He paused, searching for the words.
They waited.
"It's with this meal that I no longer regard myself a guest in this home with you as my hosts. You are my family. And this is where I belong."
Smiles spread between them, and as they glanced at each other, they turned into grins.
Grandpa chuckled softly. "Don't tell my daughter this, but I've always wanted a son. I just didn't know that the one I would get would be hundreds of years older than me. Still, I'm not picky."
"Does this mean that you're going to cook more often?" Kagome asked.
"If that is desired," Sesshoumaru offered.
"Oh, it's desired," Souta interjected, and then gave his mother a sheepish look. "Sorry, mama."
"Oh, my ego can take the hit if it means more of this," she admitted as she took a sip of tea. Her gaze shifted back to Sesshoumaru and she smiled. "It's one thing for us to tell you that you're part of our family and it's another for you to return that sentiment and see us the same way. We're honored."
He nodded.
"Higurashi Sesshoumaru," Grandpa said thoughtfully. "Makes it official."
"I don't know," Tora replied with a mischievous grin, "Maybe he wants to be a Yamato."
Grandpa growled.
Mama chuckled.
"And now for the matter that I wished to discuss," Sesshoumaru interrupted.
"That wasn't it?" Tora asked, raising his eyebrows. "That was a pretty big matter."
"No, that was simply the preface. An acknowledgement that was long overdue and the reason why a family meeting is the best setting for what comes next because the result will affect all of you."
Their expressions sobered and they nodded for him to continue.
"When I followed up on the incident at the shipping yard, I learned about the new yakuza clan that has assumed control of organized crime in Tokyo. They're called the Shikai and they wield an immense amount of influence."
"I've never heard of them," Tora commented, frowning.
"They're very secretive and have been quietly absorbing their weaker rivals, like Kuro-Sakura, to become the most powerful clan in Japan. Yet despite their efforts to conceal their operations, I have learned information about their oyabun's schedule, and perhaps with it the opportunity to confront him."
"How did you come by this information?" Mama asked.
"I met with a man by the name of Kurosawa Raiden."
Tora choked on his tea. "Kuro-Sakura's oyabun?"
"Former oyabun," Sesshoumaru corrected. "He's now a regional boss for their organization. His clan is no more."
"Wow..." Then he blinked. "And he just told you?"
"He was persuaded."
"Ah."
"During our conversation, he provided me with some details. Firstly, a description of their headquarters. From it, I was able to locate a heavily guarded tower in downtown Tokyo. I'm certain that it's their base of operations."
Souta climbed to his feet and left the room.
"Are you going to siege the tower?" Tora asked worriedly.
"No, they are too well-fortified and knowledge about the oyabun's whereabouts is kept hidden from even senior leadership. It would be difficult to locate him let alone isolate him." He paused. "And the personal risk would be too great."
The thread of underlying tension around the table snapped with a few sighs of relief.
"So, was that the opportunity to confront the oyabun?" Mama asked.
"No, knowledge about the tower was only essential in determining its location. The most important information was the sharing of a predictable aspect of the oyabun's schedule. Every morning on the day of the full moon, he and his first lieutenant travel for services to a nearby temple known for its gardens. They do this without an entourage so as not to attract attention and thus protect the oyabun's privacy."
"So, you plan to confront him at the temple?"
"You cannot confront him there," Grandpa said sternly, his voice trembling. "A temple is a holy place and should not be defiled by violence."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "I agree. In the past, I would not have considered it inappropriate to wage battle in places of human worship. But after spending time here, I have decided that they are worthy of respect."
With his tablet in hand, Souta reappeared. He approached Sesshoumaru and held it out for him to take. The map feature was open on the screen. "At least we can figure out where everything is, right?"
He accepted the device and typed in an address. A red icon popped up on the screen in the financial district of downtown Tokyo. After saving the marker, he typed in 'Buddhist temple' for the area and several options populated. Both Souta and Kagome leaned in close to him as they considered the results.
"I bet you that it's Inokashira Temple," Kagome concluded, selecting one of the icons. "They're pretty famous for their gardens."
Souta nodded.
"Maybe you can confront him while he's en route to either location?" she offered. "He'd still be vulnerable, and you wouldn't have to worry about guards or sullying any holy places."
"That was my intention," Sesshoumaru replied. "But the strategy used to confront the oyabun wasn't what I was interested in discussing today. It requires attention but not in this setting."
"Oh?"
"You want advice on what to do when you find him," Mama said, nodding thoughtfully.
"Precisely," he agreed.
"May I see the tablet?" Tora asked, already reaching across the table.
Sesshoumaru handed it to him.
"Well, what are the options?" Mama asked. "It seems like the goal is ridding the city of organized crime, right? Or at least in the districts that you protect."
"Yes. And dismantling the clan would appear to be the most effective method in ceasing their activities, but would that happen if the oyabun was captured? Or if he was turned over to the police?"
"Or if he was killed," Souta said under his breath.
"That's not possible. I will not be a spirit of vengeance. It serves no one and breeds resentment."
"Not to mention," Mama added, "There are no assurances that someone new within the organization wouldn't take his place. The son becomes the father or something to that effect."
"That's also assuming that the transition of power is smooth. As you noted months ago, there was considerable violence in the streets when the Kuro-Sakura clan underwent leadership change. We shouldn't expect anything less to occur."
"So, you'll have to persuade the oyabun," Grandpa concluded as he finished his cup of tea. "To dismantle his clan or to leave Tokyo. You're not one to cajole, so you may have to resort to threats and violence no matter how you feel about being associated with vengeance."
"A show of strength," he said, and then frowned. "To have a regional boss betray his allegiance to his oyabun so eagerly… A pack only reacts like this when its leader doesn't provide support. And when he doesn't care about them, then what chance does its prey have? For this leader, I must go for his neck, but that doesn't mean I must rip it out. So, I will isolate and trap him. And then we will agree to terms."
"Collaborate, not conquer?" Mama asked with a smile.
"These are softer times."
"Well, from my understanding of retribution, it's about righteousness and not negotiation. No matter how the community might perceive you, this will not be an act of vengeance. It will be something better. It'll be advocacy."
"Advocacy with a crowbar," Kagome joked.
"My crowbar is the encouragement," he elaborated.
They chuckled.
"I appreciate your input," he said as he looked around the table and met their eyes. "It's a constant source of direction and support. You have my gratitude."
"Oh, we're not done," Tora said as he rose to his knees to lean over the table. He set the tablet down between Sesshoumaru and Kagome. "I searched through all the possible routes they could take between the tower and the temple." He pointed to a zigzagging line highlighted in yellow. "And this one has the fewest traffic lights. I would bet you Akane that this is the way they take."
"Why would traffic lights be a factor?" Kagome asked.
"They're opportunities for an ambush." He grinned. "Being cautious also makes you predictable. Your enemies just have to know what to look for."
Sesshoumaru snorted. "I have been told as much recently."
Tora's finger hovered over an intersection bisected by the route. "And this is where we should strike. Recognize it?"
Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome nodded.
"It's someplace that they know, but they won't realize that we've been there as well." He minimized the window and opened up the weather app. "The next full moon is this Sunday. No one's going to be there. It'll be the perfect spot for your negotiation."
"This is a proactive and not a reactive situation," Sesshoumaru explained. "Neither of you must risk yourselves for this."
"Yeah, yeah, pack leader," Tora sighed, waving a hand dismissively, "You handle ambushes with the same amount of finesse that I wield with a hammer. If we do this together, we'll be quicker and quieter. And you'll have all the time you need to have your chat. Deal?"
Sesshoumaru eyed them both.
They looked back at him, grinning.
He sighed. "Deal."