Chapter 18: Rivalry
"Sanja Matsuri, the festival - do you know about it?", Edo asked, looking at Sam. It had been two hours that Sam was sitting with him, drinking. He had called Sam after being informed that Sam had 'closed' yet another account, which in translation meant that he´d successfully threatened another shopkeeper in Ginza to make sure he paid Edo - or else, the next time he wouldn't miss in his gunshot.
„The Shrine Festival? Not really...but I heard it´s pretty colorful and energetic."
Edo chuckled. „Energetic...yes, you can say that." He sipped at his warm sake. „Our organisation takes part in it. We have got our own shrine. Forty of us will be carrying it through town...for everyone to see how powerful we´ve become." His lips turned up into an unpleasant smile. „In the official version, we are only one of the more powerful trading companies representing their district and paying their respects. Your fellow Americans, for example...and this bunch of useless spies your government sent over to...check things out" He chuckled again, and Sam could tell Edo was pretty drunk already. His mind went back to the late afternoon...how he´d been summoned to his new „boss" ...
As Sam was leaving the store, provisions in hand, the evening news came on the single TV in the store front of a small houseware shop. Three or four people had crowded in front of it, watching.
The US-Japanese trade negotiations had gone through smoothly and Japanese firms had a lot to rejoice about. Castiel...I´ll have to talk to him as soon as possible. It´s showtime... someone touched his arm lightly. Sam spun around. The people around him turned, curious at the sudden movement ...and scattered. Within a moment, he stood in front of the shop alone with the small Japanese man. Do they recognize he´s Yakuza? How? He looks like any normal guy to me, he wondered. But then...maybe he´s one of those who accompany the likes of myself ... paying visits to our ...clients.
"Boss wants to see you. Go to Kabuchio now." There was urgency in the voice of the thug approaching him. Sam nodded, and watched the man hurry around the next corner. He took a moment to orientate himself... Kabuchio. The District of Pleasure...whore houses, gaming parlours, drinking establishments. He smiled without humor. Fits, he thought. He turned, and walked towards the main street, where he would find a cab.
Sam watched the houses of the infamous district pass by as the cab brought him to the corner of the street where he´d find one of Yakuza´s biggest establishments... he could see it in its full glory. Bright lights announcing that they were open for business, although there wasn´t much going on at this time of the day. From pachinko parlors to love hotels, the district had it all. Sam left the cab, paid the driver, and started to walk past the few early morning customers. His height, and the fact he wasn´t Japanese, drew some attention; but the men looking out for clients for the whores knew better than to approach him. It was already known he was part of „The Family"...
The economy was booming, and Yakuza wanted to make sure that they got their fair share of it. Sam passed one of the larger houses, brightly lit and well kempt, and stood in front of the hotel adjacent to it. A doorman nodded at him somberly, and opened the door. Inside Edo's hotel, the early morning funeral home quiet was replaced with the merriment and laughter of the night. Sam made his way upstairs, to Edo´s private rooms, and smiled at the guard who smiled back thinly.
"Not here - go to the terrace." Sam had felt a little weird, but continued upstairs toward the terrace. As he reached the last set of stairs, the door at the end opened, and a guy almost rolled out of it, stumbling, and then fell, crashing onto the stairs, landing at Sam's feet. "Don't go in there...he's gone crazy", the man croaked, wiping blood from his mouth... Sam watched him scramble to his feet, and walk down the stairs, supporting himself against the wall. If you´re still alive, it can´t be that bad, he thought, feeling no sympathy for the thug.
Sam ignored the warning with a shrug, and continued to walk upstairs. He grabbed the already open door and entered.
"Ah! Sam, my only productive worker. So nice to see you", a drunken Edo crooned from the sitting area at the far end of the terrasse, raising his glass in a salute. He was wearing just a shirt, with his front buttons open to show his cleavage, sleeves rolled up. "These guys are useless; one job I give them, and they screw it up. I told them to provide those secret service people with information on Junko, and what happened?" Everyone else around them looked down. Sam felt a little surreal, the mood of almost deadly silence upstairs and the merriment downstairs were complete opposites of each other.
"How did the deal pull through?" Edo yelled at them once again. Sam only now completely comprehended the situation. He remembered Castiel telling him about the talks and how the embassy had employed him for the one on one talks... with Dean...It seemed that it had worked, going from what he´d seen on that TV screen earlier, and telling from Edo´s mood, it also meant that all of Edo's best laid plans now lay waste. "Get out - all of you!"
When Sam made a move to leave, he added, "Not you, Vincent... You stay." Everyone else filtered out of the terrace. "Vincent, this has been a terrible week...", Edo whined.
He ordered sake. More sake.
Two hours later, Sam watched the increasingly drunk Edo carefully.
At Edo´s question, coming as a surprise after the man´s constant drunk ramble and muttering , Sam snapped out of his memories.
„The festival? I have some vague ideas... It´s about those three men who founded Japanese Buddhism, right? "
Edo waved his hand dismissively. "Good, good ... but that is not what I am talking about. I meant do you know of the ceremony in the festival?" Edo had begun to seriously slur now. "Junko is going to be there. I hate that; he will actually be allowed to touch our carriage... the highest of honors for such a...a..." Sam watched Edo´s face turn red with anger. „Not just that I've heard Amaya´s plans to make him waka-gashira, first lieutenant, a position no...foreigner... should ever get. I've worked as hard as him for the family, but why is he getting all that? Position, honor – even Amaya´s approval and respect, which is so hard to earn! He´s nothing more than...a toy, taken by us to prove a point...and to be thrown away after having our fun with him! He must have bewitched the oba san, with his green eyes and..." Sam stirred. If Edo started to spill his secrets like that, it could be dangerous to be the one listening for too long. His boss tried to take another swig of wine from his glass, finding it empty, and finally took the sake bottle to drink directly from it.
„I was so close, asking you to kill Yoshiro and making sure the CIA had all the information on him but he goes ahead - and takes the damn deal!"
Sam wondered how Castiel had managed to pull that, and more importantly, what had Castiel managed to get back in return.
He almost missed the sound of someone entering the terrace.
"He's a real bastard, you know. A ruthless man who cares for no one." Sam turned around to see the source of the voice.
"Ah, Kenji, glad to know you are here." Edo smiled, his lips pressed together, suppressing a belch.
"Sam, meet Kenji. He is my right hand - and Kenji - this is Vincent Smith, our new American ...associate. Kenji, you can trust him. You have my permission to speak freely here." Kenji scrutinized Sam with squinted eyes. He oozed suspicion, but nodded briefly.
„Tell him about our plan", Edo murmured, already half asleep in his stuffed chair.
The day that Sam had dreaded arrived... but somehow, waking up he was more relaxed than he´d expected. He soon found the reason for it, smelling a wonderful scent of lilies in the niche where he usually slept on the boat... As he tried to move, something stirred on top of him. Sam opened his eyes and saw Kiyoshi, sleeping peacefully on his chest. He got worried; he had no recollection of how she had ended up here on the bed. He remembered that last night had been her fourth night since the time he had captured her. He was still clueless as to what he should do with her. The past few days had been rough on her. She had been awfully quiet and distraught. She refused to eat practically anything and would spend most of her time just staring out of the window.
Sam was mostly outside, running errands for his new boss, or plotting with Edo as to how to finish Dean. He had realized that when the time came, Sam would have to blow his cover to protect Dean. Meanwhile the news from Castiel was not so good. He had informed him that Dean was very loyal to his new family, and had clearly been brainwashed by the Yakuza. Dean firmly believed that Sam had died alongside his mom, and wouldn´t believe Cas ... yeah, he´s always been such a stubborn guy, Sam thought.
On the other hand - the more he saw Kiyoshi, the guiltier he felt. The whole situation became increasingly complicated...the evening before, when Sam had finally found some free time, he had called on Castiel.
„Hey, how are you?"
"I'm good. What about you? And how's the girl - is she still alive?"
"Castiel, everything is fine. She's ok, but I honestly don't know what to do with her. I cannot send her home ´cause the uncle is there, the one who wanted to sell her to Yakuza´s whorehouses... and I don't think she can manage on her own. I mean - not since I told her that her father was dead."
"Hmmm... Well I guess you are stuck with her, for a while at least. We´ll think of something, Sam. Just ... just one problem at the time, right? Anyways - I have to be going. The talks are about to begin. We´re reaching the final details ...everything´s on track so far."
Sam hung up the phone and walked out of the booth. He drove back to the docks, deep in thought ... Kiyoshi might not be the biggest of thier problems, but it was one he had in front of his eyes, and inside his mind, way too much. Finally approaching his boat, he saw smoke coming out of his boathouse. It billowed out of the entrance, an acrid smell filling the air.
„Dammit..."
He ran towards the boat, yanked open the door, and then just stood in the doorway for a second. There was smoke everywhere. He covered his mouth and nose and went inside.
„Kiyoshi! Are you here? Kiyoshi!"
Kiyoshi was standing in the tiny kitchen area, staring at a burning pot, a faraway look on her face, smoke wafting around her.
„Kiyoshi! Dammit, what -" She looked up, like in trance, and blinked. Her eyes were watering. She started to cough violently.
Sam grabbed a towel, gripped the glowing pot, removed it from the flame, and threw it into the sink, dousing the hot iron with water from the bucket he used for cooking and wahing the dishes. Then he opened the window for the smoke to be released. Using the towel, he managed to get most of it out within a few seconds. Kiyoshi just stood there, watching him with polite interest. He caught her hand and pulled her up the few steps to the entrance, and outside. The fresh sea air was heavenly.
"What we're you thinking? You know how dangerous that was? Kiyoshi - suicide is not a way out of this. You can´t – that´s no way to honor your father, your family. You didn´t survive Yakuza just to end your life like that."
Before he could say anything more she placed a hand on his mouth.
"Sam ... I was making soup for you and me. I did not know how to work the stove".
As she removed her hand Sam was speechless. He looked into her eyes and said "uh...", but she looked up at him and laughed. Is she going crazy?, he wondered. Is everything too much for her? Losing her father, her family...almost being forced to whore herself out to save those she loves? He looked down at the minuscule girl, so fragile, yet stronger than he´d expected.
When her smile faltered, he tried to look as reassuring as possible, smiling as well. I´ll play along ... maybe it was an accident after all. Although... her face in there...so far away... Suddenly, the guilty subconscious took over and he turned away. After a moment, he glanced back at her with his usual stern, unreadable face.
"Let's go outside to eat", he said. She nodded and went inside the boat to fetch her jacket. They silently walked towards the car. Well, she seems normal enough now, Sam thought, watching her. Driving towards the town, throwing her furtive glances now and then, he realized that maybe somewhere Castiel was right - that maybe, just maybe, Kiyoshi was that something, than someone who could keep his humanity alive.
Maybe we can keep each other human. Through all this ... mess.
Today he had felt his age, young as he might be. So many years he had been wrong, had done awful things, justifying his actions with his purpose... and now, in the face of this innocent girl, he had to admit it. Whatever the purpose, however justified your motives – you can´t expect to get out of a life like this untarnished. With your soul intact and whole.
But maybe – maybe there´s a way back to my former self, a way to save my own soul while saving this girl, and my brother. God knows we all need to be saved. And even if I´m not sure I´m worthy - at least she is worth saving for sure.
He smiled to himself in the rearview mirror. Looking over to the other side, he saw that Kiyoshi had placed her head against the car´s window and closed her eyes. As he stared at the road ahead he saw a shrine pass by. A funeral was taking place, a small group of people gathered around it. Sam knew where he had to drive now. As they came to a halt, Kiyoshi opened her eyes, looking around in confusion.
„Where are we? Sam?"
It was twilight already, and the sky had turned yellow with a beautiful orange hew. Squinting through the front window, the girl saw that ahead of her there was the Hanazono shrine which had been closer to her family´s house. Sam walked around the car and opened the door for her.
"Come on, let's go." He held out his hand to her.
She did not know where they were going, she´d never been to her father´s grave after the ...events, hidden in Sam´s boat. Opening the gates, they walked into the cemetery behind the temple. Kiyoshi caught Sam's arm and Sam felt a knot build in his stomach. He squeezed her hand as they came in front of her father's tomb. The names of her mother, brother and her own were painted there in red. She knelt down in front of the gravestone, and Sam handed her the bucket he´d found at the grave´s side, along with the ladle. She washed the stone and then wiped it, as was custom in her religion. She was crying now, silently, while placing the incense sticks and the flowers.
"He had given up on life", she murmured, voice thick with tears. „I saw the life drain out of him when he was talking to me about Yakuza. About what - what I´d have to do to save the family. He was already dead before he was killed."
Sam helped her to her feet. They walked back in silence. The sky had taken on a deep grey color. There was utter silence as the wind had dropped and it was becoming heavier by the minute. The silence of the dead seemed somehow unsettling for the living, too.
On their way out towards their car, Sam cleared his throat. The whole scene had taken its toll on him, too – he knew how it felt to kneel in front of gravestones of people you´d loved.
"I know how you feel. It's a terrible feeling to be all alone. It's horrible ... the knowledge that somewhere you have let down your family. The sense of powerlessness makes you feel so ... small. All I can say is .. you´re not alone, Kiyoshi. You can depend on me."
Sam saw his reflection in the car's window and only then noticed his cheeks were wet. Have I been crying?, he wondered. When have I last shed tears? Must have been when Dad...when he...
He felt Kiyoshi´s hand on his back, warm and strangely reassuring.
"Thank you".
They drove back to their boathouse, dinner entirely forgotten. By the time they got back, it was raining heavily again. Sam opened the door, but hesitated. Kiyoshi threw him a glance, and got out.
"Wait", Sam said. „It´s – we´ll be soaked!"
"No, we can run! Come on!" Kiyoshi spurted away, laughing back at him in the dim light.
Sam was quick to follow – with his long legs, he´d reached her within a few long strides. They reached the door and Sam opened it. Kiyoshi got in, Sam right at her feet, both of them dripping water, shaking droplets off their shoulders and hair. Sam removed his tie and coat and put on the kettle on for the boil. He prepared tea for them and poured it in cups. He joined Kiyoshi and sat on the corner of the bed. She shivered.
"Here, some tea will help."
"Thank you." She took the delicate china cup from his hands.
Sam kept his cup down and sneezed. Kiyoshi looked up from her tea with concern in her eyes. Sam had never been subjected to such a look. Not for a long time at least. That´s how Mom used to look at me when I had a cold... or Dean, when I fell, and hurt my knee again... His head spun.
"Your hair is still wet, may I?"
"uh.." Sam hated the fact that he could not speak clearly, couldn´t even think straight. Usually he had the answers to most questions. Everything´s such a mess... the past and the present mixing in your mind, and the girl at your side, another reminder of people you´ve lost, and yet alive, and ... caring for you, actually. Like you´re worth being looked after.
Before he could respond, he realized that Kiyoshi had moved behind him with a towel. She started rubbing his hair so delicately that Sam wasn´t sure if she was drying his hair or giving him a gentle head massage. It felt so good that Sam leaned into her touch. He almost lost himself in the moment ... and let out a small moan. Kiyoshi giggled at this and Sam snapped himself out of it. He caught her hands and said "That's fine", in a harsher tone than he had intended.
She removed her hands from his head. It felt cold all of a sudden.
"We should go to bed", Sam said. He removed himself from the cot and went to set his own bed on the floor. Kiyoshi tucked her bed spread and lay down. Sam switched off the lights. He lay down, a million thoughts and pictures spinning in his head. He was not sure anymore how he felt about this girl. He was clearly falling for her and he knew that she also shared these feelings ... or at least an attraction for him. But he could not brush off the guilt: She was Yoshiro's daughter. In fact he felt somehow responsible for her situation, the unhappy condition she found herself in. Yet she´s touching that part in my heart that is still hopeful, he thought; the part in me that still wants to be a silly young boy with hopes and dreams. A part in him that he had locked ever since his brother was taken away and his mom was murdered. Locked and hidden away so deep down inside myself I wasn´t even sure I´d be able to find it again.
Suddenly Sam heard the clattering of teeth. He got up and bent over Kiyoshi. She was shivering as well.
„Kiyoshi? Are you alright?"
"I'm so cold, w-would you please..."
Sam pulled off the blanket from his bedding and spread it over her. "Please stay" she said, grabbing his hand. Sam hesitated a moment. Is this a good idea? Don´t you have enough problems already? He looked into the girl´s dark eyes, her pale childlike face. He felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him.
Finally, he lay down at her side and she cuddled next to him, enwrapped in his long arms, her slight figure taking all the body warmth it could get.
He placed her gently next to him, careful not to wake her, and got up. He left some breakfast that he had made for them, and went to dress up in a white shirt, choosing a lean black tie to go with it, and a black coat. There was so much at stake today.
He had been asked to help kill his own brother by Edogawa. Their plan was set; Edo would get Dean to the agreed place. Sam was just supposed to be the driver, and on the lookout. His boss had laughed when Sam suggested that he could do the job alone. "He's the white devil! What do you think - that this is my first attempt at killing him? Besides – I´ve been itching to off this ... impostor, from the day Amaya brought him into the family. It will be my special pleasure to end him one and for all. He may have a cat´s nine lives, but even a street cat runs out of lives someday."
Sam had felt a slight sense of pride that his brother was a hard kill. He donned his long overcoat, hiding his katana within the folds. Walking out towards his car, he was surprised to feel a smile tug at the corners of his mouth; he had actually left a note near the precooked breakfast for Kiyoshi. This girl has really gotten to you, man...
Sam reached the Asakusa district at the Sensoji temple. The Sanja Matsuri Festiveal was in full bloom. He could not believe the splash of color and activity there. There were several stalls selling food and other things for the temple. Leaving the car at the set place, he began to search for Edo in the crowd.
„Good morning - Mr. Smith", he heard Edo´s voice all of a sudden. The smaller man was patting Sam's back from behind. Sam turned around, nodding at his boss.
"You are on time again. I like it that I'm yet to meet a white person who's on time." he said, laughing. "Come on, let's eat something. We´ve still got time."
They sat down at a stall and some skewered meat was brought to them. Sam was stunned for a moment when he saw a familiar black and red kimono pass him by, reminding him of Murakami. He turned around and looked at the geisha.
"Don't worry my friend, the dead don't walk among us", Edo was smiling at him. Sam was a little taken aback at this, but he did not show it.
Edo smiled unpleasantly."Yes, I know about Simmons hiring you. It was a glaring sign right there. Junko had asked him to search for someone who could take care of this geisha and her lover, Shinichi. Hmph… can you believe it? Shinichi was his friend, his brother? He even took a bullet for Junko once when I had attacked him. Look how he got repaid."
"Edo", someone called out to him. "Excuse me..."
Edo left Sam to meet the new entrant.
Sam felt incredibly hot and then he almost turned pale. Everything slowed down and went quiet. His world was crumbling around him. Dean? Dean had ordered Murakami´s death? He´d killed her on his own brother´s will? Had played into his sick power game...
Was Castiel right? Had Dean gone too far? Would he ever get back the brother he had lost that unfortunate night all those years ago? Or a monster... a cold blooded killer...
But then, what´s the difference between you and him... the things you´ve done to get here... you´re both damaged good. Damaged to the core.
All these questions, lingering somewhere at the back of his head for so long, now took front stage. He was ripped out of his musings though by Takeshi, one of Edo´s men and his co-conspirator, who called Sam out to a viewing gallery. Staring down at the crowd filling the street, he saw that finally the three main Mikoshi, the largest and most important shrines, were brought out. They were carried though the streets all day, in the honor of the three brothers who were fishermen and found a relic which had helped the spread of Buddhism in the country.
„Forget those two in the front - check out the one right behind them", Takeshi murmured into Sam´s ear.
There it was, the Mikoshi shrine dedicated to the Gods. The deep sound of drums filled the air, and people were cheering joyfully ... so much energy everywhere. The Mikoshi was likely a conical structure made out of bamboo and cloth, weighing almost a ton, supported on thick black bamboo poles, that helped the men downstairs pulling it ahead. The third Mikoshi, the one Takeshi had pointed out, was the Yakuza Mikoshi – inofficially, of course. Sam saw at least 40 bare chested Yakuza men, including Edo, pulling the Mikoshi forward. Sam admired all of Edo's magnificent tattoo work, covering his upper body completely. Then he noticed the tall, broad shouldered figure behind his boss ... Edo's tattoo work was nothing compared to Dean´s. His brother was standing on top of the bamboo poles, upper body naked, barking orders and giving his men the necessary boost. Sam stared at the huge carp on his brother´s back, framed by beautiful flowers and branches, and some Japanese writing... the tattoo on Dean´s chest was more like a robe, an artful pattern Sam couldn´t decipher from afar.
"Kind of represents the current situation, doesn't it?" Takeshi said taking a puff of his cigarette, squinting down at Edo and Dean.
Sam merely smiled. He was amazed to see how much Dean enjoyed his status here among criminals. He had indeed gained honor among thieves. Dean looked up, smiling briefly, and waved at someone who was standing above Sam. He followed the direction of Dean´s eyes - and just saw a hand with a heavy gold watch, a cigarette dangling from lean fingers.
Amaya? The Big Boss, his father´s opponent and cause of all of their pain – he was here? The hand disappeared, and Sam turned back to the crowd surrounding the shrine.
He took in the overwhelming atmosphere of the festival. The colors, the artfully ornated shrines, obviously heavy like hell, if it took so many men to transport them, the sights and sounds and smells.
He could not believe it - here he was at yet another festival, for another murder, one he would never forgive himself for, if Edo succeeded. He watched Dean moving through the crammed crowds. Dammit - why did he have to be here today? Of course - he was here to claim his prize. The big honor, the final sign of approval. Touching the black shrine richly ornated in gold...only few people were ever allowed to do that, to show to the world – well, the part of it relevant to their lives– their position, the trust they´d gained.
Castiel had told him of Dean´s devotion towards Amaya. The big boss, or oba san, father, as the Yakuza members called him, was nowhere to be seen now. Apparently he had already left for the celebration before the ceremony was over. He was excited too, it seemed, that he had bet on the right horse... that his investment had paid out so well, had proved itself so unexpectedly useful.
Sam saw Kenji, Edo´s right hand, move towards Dean, now standing fully clothed in the middle of the crowd surrounding the Yakuza´s shrine. He whispered something into his ear. Dean looked up and nodded briefly. He followed Kenji, who was leading him away from the shrine. Kenji waved his hand towards the left and began pushing through the dense crowd.
It was the sign Sam and Edo, who´d left the shrine earlier, and donned his clothes again, had been waiting for. Sam followed Edo out of the area, to the place where they´d parked the car nearby.
Sam held the door for Edo, waited for the older man to climb into the passenger seat, then he took the driving seat and pulled away from the curb, gripping the wheel hard. This is it ... time to prove to your brother you´re on his side. Well, the side of him that´s still worth saving at least.
Dark grey clouds were gathering in the sky and there was the distant rumbling of thunder in the air. "The gods are on our side today" Edo said, polishing his guns with a fond expression on his face. Sam knew the way to the docks where they were headed ... had studied the map until he knew every street, alley, and short cut by heart. Kenji had planned out exactly where he was going to get Dean, using a code word only known to the few higher-ups to lure him away... Sam's car was supposed to follow a different route so as to not raise any alarm. Sam squinted through the windshield. The rain and lighting were coming down heavily now, blurring the vision, swallowing the world around them.
Sam´s car came to a halt at the exact spot where Kenji had told them to wait. They both got out, Sam holding an umbrella over his bosses´ head. As though on cue, Kenji brought the car around the corner, with Dean in the passenger seat, braked hard, jumped out, and hasted towards Edo's car. Dean looked through the window, a confused expression on his face, clearly trying to understand what was happening. Sam saw him watch Edo approaching the car and opening his jacket. He could literally see the moment when the truth hit Dean ... the second when he realized what was going on.
React, Dean. Please... don´t let him shoot you like some street dog... it cost Sam all he´d got to just trust in his brother´s instincts and skills, and stand by, watching.
Edo pulled out a .52 caliber gun and shot at the window without hesitation. A rare triumphant smile showed on his face. There was a huge bang, the sound of shattering glass ... Sam prayed silently. It can´t end here...not like that...
When the smoke had cleared, Edo slowly moved closer to check the car - but there was no one inside. As he turned around searchingly, someone pulled his legs, and Edo fell backwards to the ground. Dean...thank God, Sam breathed a sigh of relief.
"You're really becoming desperate, aren't you, Edogawa-san? Well - I hate to disappoint, but I'm here to stay ... and you´ll have to try better than this." Sam saw the deprecating smirk on Dean´s face ... then his brother kicked Edo in his gut, with force, and Edo cried out. Dean picked up Edo´s gun and threw it into the ocean.
"Fight like a man, Edo", Dean said, taking position like a boxer. There was this sly grin on his face, indicating that he was enjoying this very much. Edo finally got up to his feet. He raised his hand, signalling to Kenji – and to me, his supposed loyal underling, Sam thought – he didn´t want back up, or any intervention – for now. He found his footing, and both men started circling each other like predatory animals.
Without any warning, Dean lashed out, jumping forward. Sam watched in awe as his brother punched and kicked hard, jumping back and forth, using his fists, arms, legs and feet with a skill that spoke of long and efficient training. But so did Edogawa´s fight. He was not going to give up this opportunity so easily. Dean was an amazing fighter; he was almost too fast to follow with the naked eye... yet Edo had years of experience on his shoulders, and a ruthlessness Dean had yet to reach. As Edo caught him in a death hold, Sam and Dean's eyes met. Sam was mouthing silently... come on Dean, you know this one. He could literally read the memory flashing over his brother´s face... how their dad had taught them how to get out of a death grip. Dean let go of Edo´s hand on his throat, raised his arm in the air, pulled back with full force and hit Edo straight in his gut with his elbow. Edo´ s arms fell down, he pressed his hands on his hurt stomach ... and once again fell to the ground, all the air punched out of his lungs by Dean´s second blow.
Dean glanced up, to properly look at Sam this time. He was panting heavily, shoulders heaving. They stared at each other – and then the brief shared moment ended when Kenji, who´d circled the place and climbed a roof at the opposite side of the two fighting men, pulled out a gun and shot, hitting Dean in his shoulder, before Sam even had time to react, cry out, warn his brother, give any sign.
Dean screamed in pain and turned, pushed by the impact, falling backwards. Edo saw his opportunity and scrambled to his feet, to finish his wounded opponent once and for all.
Sam looked up to see Kenji smiling down at them coldly. Bastard, he thought, I´ll get you...and wipe that smile off your face for good. He pulled his knife from his inner pocket, straightened it and breathed in to steady his aim. Now...Kenji was watching his boss grabbing Dean at the collar, pulling him back to his feet brutally. He didn´t spare a glance for Sam...Sam aimed, breathed in...and threw. The knife went straight into Kenji´s chest, down to the hilt. Kenji had a shocked expression on his face as he fell, landing on the roof he had been standing on, toppling over the rim, his body disappearing between the crates and containers. Sam knew the Yakuza man woudn´t be a problem any more. He turned back, focusing on the fighting scene in front of him again.
Edo had Dean by his neck, strangling him, and was punching him mercilessly, aiming at the wounded shoulder, the kidneys, the ribs... The image of a much younger Dean, sitting in a cell on his folded knees, while one of the men who´d abducted him was throwing blows at him, appeared in front of Sam's eyes. How he had cowered on the soiled floor, trying to protect his head, half starved and too weak to fight back... when Dean had told him, Sam had felt like throwing up...or killing someone, striking, punching in the faces of those responsible. He had felt so helpless in the face of his brother´s fate...
But not tonight. Sam pulled out the katana sword which he kept underneath the driver's seat, the perfect weapon – silent, yet deadly. He tore the katana out of its sheath, crying out fiercely as thunder filled the air and lightning struck right next to them in the water, the impact almost blowing him off his feet. He ran over to the two struggling men, raising the sword on his final jump. The raisor sharp blade cut through the raindrops and struck Edo's back, cutting open the other man´s coat, drawing blood where it sliced open Edo´s skin. Edo's fist was stuck midair as he screamed out in pain. He turned to face Sam and managed to grab his collar, face a grimace of pain and wrath. Sam released Edo´s grip from his collar and raised his katana for another strike.
The puddles of rain on the ground mixed with Edo´s dark blood. The Yakuza man fell to his knees and watched dazedly as Sam raised the sword one last time - and drove it through the small of his shoulder straight into his heart. The moment Sam pulled out the blade, the lifeless form of Edo touched the ground.
Dean had fallen back against the car, pressing a hand against his bleeding shoulder, panting, watching his little brother with horror in his eyes.