YAMI NO MATSUEI – DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS

THE SHADOWS OF MY PAST

Chapter Eight: A Date with the Devil

I came in for work earlier than usual.

I profusely apologized to Mako-san since my change of schedule meant that he would have to awaken and prepare for market earlier than usual if he needed my help, which at this point in his life he did.

There were stacks of papers on my desk that I need to focus my undivided attention on for today – financial statements and expenditure reports. As I drank my morning cup of coffee, I crunched the numbers for a five-year analysis of expenditures and revenues for Ishino's area of constituency.

Taking a deep breath as the numbers did not tally, I calculated and recalculated the supporting documentation for the statements and reports provided for my review.

In this stage of my life and career, I knew where to look. Based on the numbers that I saw, I was able to search and make sense out of where the discrepancies would be. I was good in telling and reflecting the truth about the numbers in layman's terms. I also had been gifted in being able to make appropriate fiscal decisions to bring back the budget in balance.

Since I have been employed with Ishino, the errors were not material. As time went on, the discrepancies became more significant.

This time, the financial numbers did not make total sense for it said that our fee-based activities have been losing money. Secondly, there have been large outlays of funds – transactions that had never gone through my desk although I was solely responsible for making those decisions before it reached Ishino's eyes for signature.

The truth that was disclosed in the financial statements generated by the various departments and areas that Ishino spearheaded did not match with reality. I have done field visits on these fee-based sites and the constituent support was there in terms of facility and service usage as well as donations.

So where was all the money going?

As I dug deeper, the names that I saw that were associated with these questionable transactions were shady to say the least.

There was only one conclusion with what I have seen – Ishino was skimming money and bribing others at an amount that could no longer be discreetly covered. At the stage in where the corrupt activities now lay, it was just a matter of time that it would be uncovered by someone other than me.

And when that happens, Ishino would need a scapegoat.

There was nowhere to run and ask help from save for Mako-san. However, if I tell the old man about what I know there would be no guarantee that he would be safe after he took his share of this secret knowledge.

No, I have to solve this on my own. Mako-san did not need to be involved in this. Ishino did not need to know what I know, but I will be one step ahead of him.

A couple of hours later, Ishino came in the office. He then said in a calm and cheerful voice, "Tatsumi-kun, would you come inside my office please? Bring the schedule book with you."

"Yes," was my reply, acting as if nothing had ever happened – a skill that I have mastered so well since Father died so that Mother need not worry about me too much.

Ishino and I had gone through the rudiments of going through his schedule, delegating some of the matters that were in his calendar to me such as meetings and debriefing sessions, and inquiring about the development of projects that he had assigned to me and other staff.

After the routine matters were done, Ishino smiled. "Good! Everything seems to be fine."

Ishino then paused, giving me a genial look. "Tatsumi-kun, I have a favor to ask you. I need you to change some figures in the expenditure and revenue reports for certain periods. I've listed the important dates that you need to consider as well as the figures that you're supposed to put in."

The politician then presented three sheets of paper with his handwriting on them. Sure enough, the information he had on those sheets was exactly as what he had described to me.

During the silence between us, I examined the figures that were on those sheets of paper. I remembered the dates that had discrepancies during the past five years. The figures that were on the sheet would rectify the financial reports and on the surface, everything would seem transparent…but that would only work until someone would decide to conduct an audit which would mean matching the reports with third-party records such as invoices, receipts, and other documentation.

Sure enough, I was correct in my educated guess. Ishino surely wanted a scapegoat, and he had delegated me to be the sacrificial lamb. If an audit took place and it was discovered by the fiscal auditor that the records were falsified, all the blame and scrutiny would be placed on the person who edited those records.

I remembered that Ishino and the fiscal auditor were good friends. I also remembered that the auditor was one of those names involved in questionable transactions appearing in the expenditure and revenue reports.

With the information before me and the implications of these recent turn of events, I was left with two choices – do what Ishino had asked me to do, or refuse to get involved.

One way or another, I was a marked man.

"Do you have any questions, Tatsumi-kun?"

Still maintaining the relaxed demeanor that I have most displayed towards Ishino, I told him, "No. I'm just studying the information, Ishino-san."

"Very well…. Let me know when you're done. Please aim to finish those adjustments by the end of this week."

"Yes, Sir…." I then rose from my seat, gave him a genial bow, and exited out of his office in the manner that I normally did everyday which was to quietly close the door behind me.

I returned to work acting as if nothing had happened. I went about my day busy at work and attended the meetings that I was asked to attend in his stead.

My mind was working on overdrive as I did my best to strategize on how to handle my current dilemma.

-------------------------------------------

It was around three in the afternoon, and I still have not given time to have lunch.

One of my meetings was within the vicinity of the town marketplace. I decided to visit Mako-san at our stall and say "hi" to him, maybe grab a fruit to munch on while I chat with him.

My heart pounded from what I saw.

All that I found were decimated stalls; the most damaged being the one that Mako-san owned. The produce were scattered around and some of the women were nursing their respective husbands' wounds. I wildly looked around in search of the dear old man.

One of the women – someone who looked out for Mako-san with authentic concern – spotted me. Her eyes widened, the still-panicked woman ran towards me with a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she stammered, "They took Mako-san, Tatsumi-kun! We tried to stop them! They took him less than thirty minutes ago! I asked my son to run to the municipal hall and tell you what just happened here!"

Fear gripped me, the old man and his safety the only matters in my mind at this time. "Who…? Who are they, Yuka-san?"

"Ishino – Ishino-san's men! Please do something, Tatsumi-kun! They'll hurt him!"

After thanking Yuka-san, I ran as fast as I could back to the municipal hall where Ishino was scheduled to be.

Throughout the breath-taking run, I never prayed as hard as I did before for a long time. I diverted my anger towards repeatedly praying to the gods for Mako-san's safety. My heart pounded from the sprint and the worry.

My mind's eye kept panning back from the beginning of my relationship with Mako-san – our relationship as father and son. I have lost everything in my life now, and he was the only family that I had. He shared everything with me – my lowest valleys and my highest peaks.

I remembered my childhood – the time when Father was still alive.

Mako-san had been a part of my family as long as I could remember. He had been Father's father. When Father died, he gave me the same gift that he had given Father. He was a mentor, a friend, a father, a brother, an advisor, a business partner, and much more.

And now, Mako-san was Ishino's hostage.

I ran as fast as my legs could take me. I whizzed past the cars, carriages, bicycles, and any other obstacles on the road. I got yelled and cursed at for being a "reckless fool" and other names that had been thrown at me.

At times, the cursing became more pronounced as I almost had been hit a couple of times.

Still, I ran towards the municipal hall. My sprint became faster as I entered the building's main entrance. I nearly bumped into people – all of them wondering as to why Ishino's chief-of-staff ran through the maze of hallways just as a madman would.

I had one goal in mind and a bastard to find.

Sure enough, Ishino had just finished meeting with one of the administrative officers. I slowed down my pace to a brisk walk and then approached Ishino.

"Ah, Tatsumi-kun…. Let us talk."

I nodded – the only thing that I could do to catch my breath and not to cause a scene. I followed Ishino's lead, our stroll leading to the small garden situated inside the heart of the municipal hall. I sat down on one of the wooden benches, following his lead.

"Are you all right, Tatsumi-kun?" asked Ishino in a calm voice, the bastard knowing how to act so innocent.

Well two could play that game. I had to, especially since the old man's life now hung on the balance.

Without giving him the hint that I was placing the blame on him, I told Ishino, "Mako-san had been taken, Ishino-san. The market vendors said that your men took him. Please help me."

"You know exactly what to do to help your precious father figure, Tatsumi-kun."

When I looked at Ishino, he added, "Let us cut the charades, young man. I know that you're too holier-than-thou to help me with what I asked you to do. So yes, my men have Mako-san. I figured that you need incentive other than career advancement to do your job for me."

My eyes then narrowed as I told the bastard through clenched teeth, "Your men hurt Mako-san. You'll all pay."

Ishino let out a snorted chuckle. "You're in no position to make threats. You're so naïve. I'd never be able to make a living if I just accepted my salary as a politician. You should know and understand that one should make adjustments."

Unfazed, I told Ishino only loud enough for us to hear, "I could understand skimming for a little bit. But you siphoned the municipal treasury to support your debauched ways. Worse, you have killed and ruined many lives for your greed. Now, you wish to use me as a scapegoat and you involve Mako-san in this. Everything that you've done is unforgivable!"

"Come with me right now if you want to see the old man live another day. You will work on what I asked you to work on right then and there. You will not leave until you finish your work. After that, you and the old man may leave. You will keep this as a secret that you will take to your grave if you want the two of you to stay alive."

While giving Ishino the death glare, I said, "Take me to him. I refuse to do anything for you until I see him alive and well."

A twisted smirk escaped Ishino's lips. "I know that you're a reasonable man, Tatsumi-kun. A car's waiting for us outside. Let us go, shall we?"

I followed Ishino's footsteps leading to the posh car waiting outside the municipal hall. I rode at the back with Ishino to my right and a bodyguard to my left. The bodyguard had his gun aimed and ready to shoot hard against my side.

The drive took close to an hour, our destination being at the outskirts of our town.

The car slowed down as we reached an abandoned warehouse, a set-up similar to the one I visited a couple of weeks ago when I killed those men who kidnapped, maimed, and killed one of our innocent townspeople.

As I stepped out of the car, the bodyguard pressed the butt of his gun harder against my side. It pressed hard against my ribs, the pain and the intrusion making me glare at him. "I'll stab you with that gun of yours if you press it against my side one more time."

The bodyguard backed off, now having the prudence to keep his distance form me yet looking at Ishino because he did not know what to do….

"He's cooperating, so leave him be. Just follow him from behind. One false move, and you know what to do," was Ishino's order as he led the way.

Two men who have been watching the entrance stood up and gave their bows before Ishino, immediately pushing the metal door open once they straightened up.

Upon entering, the same men closed the door behind us.

My eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness. I was not afraid to be in the dark, especially during the past five years. I was more afraid for Mako-san than for me, my mind thinking of ways to ensure our safety.

The dim lights were turned on….

My eyes widened and I rushed to be with the old man, only to be stopped by the same bodyguard who I forewarned earlier. I kicked him away so that I could run towards the one now bound in a chair. "Mako-san!"

I heard the click of the gun. My heart pounded, knowing that the gun was aimed right at me. I did not care about getting shot, I was a dead man anyway one way or another.

All who I cared about was the old man and I would do everything that I possibly can to save him – the first step being to get as close to the old man as possible.

I then heard the sound of the gun being clicked once more and placed back in its holster.

As I crouched and hugged the old man from behind, I saw Ishino wave his hand to order his men to put their weapons away.

"Seii-kun, I'm sorry…"

It hurt to hear Mako-san apologize to me, so I whispered to him, "I'm the one who's supposed to apologize. I didn't want you to get involved…to get hurt…"

Mako-san sighed.

From the darkness, I knew that the old man that I loved as much as I loved Father had a light smile on his face because it was reflected in his whispered voice when he told me, "I heard what you did, Son. I'm proud of you. You'll make your parents proud. You shouldn't be sorry for standing up for your principles. Nothing in this world is more valuable than good character and one's good name."

Ishino sneered and eyed us with such contempt. "Principles lead to nowhere. You stood up for your principles? Be prepared to die for them. Now do your work and I'll let you and the old man leave unharmed."

"Please let me talk to Mako-san first, even for just a couple of minutes," I asked Ishino, my voice soft.

The politician was silent for many minutes as he kept his angry stare transfixed at Mako-san and me.

Finally, Ishino told me, "Make it quick. I don't have all day."

I knelt closer to the man who I have considered as my father, whispering in his ear, "Mako-san, forgive me for what I'm about to do. Please trust me. Please tell me that no matter what happens…no matter what you see…that I'm still the same person you've known all these years. I'm not as innocent and righteous as you think I am."

Although bound, the old man bowed and kissed the top of my head. He rested his chin on my head. I could feel the trickle of his tears on my skin.

Mako-san then took in a deep breath and told me, "Please don't give in to his demands, Seii-kun. I'm an old man and you have a bright future ahead of you. Don't tarnish your soul and your good name by doing his dirty work."

Such guilt flooded inside me. It filled me and made me feel as if I was rotten to the core. I guess maybe I was rotten to the core, if such a trait was a quality that would give me an edge against Ishino and his men.

So my response to Mako-san was, "I won't, Mako-san, which is why I'm asking for your forgiveness and trust."

"You have it, Son. You'll always have it. Do what you have to do."

With those words, I tightly closed my eyes and offered my petition to the gods – the same gods that I have not prayed to for a very long time until today. I rose from my kneeling position and looked at Ishino.

"Let us get going, Tatsumi-kun. The quicker that you finish your work, the quicker you and the old man can leave."

My eyes narrowed at Ishino, my fists clenched. "I'm not doing your dirty work. Never have and never will."

Anger burned in Ishino's eyes. "I beg your pardon?!"

"You've betrayed the people with your greed and debauchery. You killed and hurt many people – the same ones who you've sworn to serve as a public servant. You defiled Inari, passed her as a whore for your men, made her your mistress, killed her, and made her death appear as something that had been done by her own hand. Mother died with her own hand because she couldn't get over Inari's death. And now you hurt Mako-san to coerce me to ruin my family's good name. You're despicable!"

I let all the hatred that I have for Ishino pour out so thickly through my gaze, my shadows beginning to lap at my feet and the surrounding perimeter. The adrenaline, my hatred, and my earnest desire to protect the old man coursed through my entire body.

My shadows swirled around my feet with such fervent ardor. They danced as I twirled my fingers, commanding them to get ready.

I heard Mako-san's gasp of surprise as the shadows began to rise by my command, my anger fueling their dark energies as I told my enemy, "It's time to pay for your crimes, Ishino Toya. The entire country will know just how dirty you are. You'll be begging for more than just my pardon once I'm through with you!"

The bastard smirked at me. "Do you think that you're going to get out here alive, Tatsumi Seiichiro? If you think that you'll survive after we're through, you're an idiot!"

My shadows danced around, lapping at my feet and legs. Ishino's eyes were now wide as he now\saw my shadows come out and take form from the darkness that they came from as I told him, "If the only person who would come out here alive would be Mako-san, then so be it!"

The now-panicked Ishino waved his hand and so did I. I wanted him dead, and so did he.

Rage and adrenaline stirred my blood. My shadows fed from those energies and emotions coming from me through the link we shared. I have waited a long time for this to happen. The showdown had just begun and the time for retribution was now.

The armed men who surrounded us simultaneously fired their guns.

At the same time, my shadows shot out in full force as swiftly as the bullets whizzed out from the enemy's guns.

End of Chapter Eight

Normal Disclaimer

I do not own Yami no Matsuei and its lovable characters. However, I do own this fic and other original characters.