Chapter 19: Presents

Dean took the familiar stairway. He hadn´t been to the fourth floor often...it was a special mercy to be called into oba san´s office, always had been, even for special cases like himself. He´d been up there less then ten times in almost as many years, emotions always changing betweeen excitement, dread, and determination. He nodded at the sentinel positioned at the second floor, and got a respectful nod in return. He´d made his way here... studied, and trained, and worked hard. And he´d been rewarded ... giving him the post as chief negotiator of Kuro Tora (and, inofficially, of the whole Japanese delegation) was a sign of big trust in his abilities. And I haven´t let them down so far, he thought. I´ve been a good son.

A group of men waited outside the offices at the third floor. Supplicants... with the treaty signed and ready, they´d be lining up here for a long time. Whoever wanted to get a bite of the big cake they´d wrapped for them - they´d have to sell their souls to Yakuza. Didn´t expect them to show up this soon though, he mused.

The last stairway, set apart from the rest by a framed glass entrance. Two „assistants" ware positioned at desks to the left and the right of the entrance ... but Dean knew what they really were: highly trained soldiers, killers, ready to jump over the desk and fight, or just pull their silenced guns and shoot. To his surprise, they both got up when he approached them, and bowed slightly.

„Junko", one of them said.

„Aguri", he nodded, waiting for the other man to straighten up.

„Oba San is expecting you."

Dean frowned. It was unusual for the guards to approach him like that. He waited, eyeing the man who kept his eyes down. Interesting, he thought. He seems to know something.

Finally, Aguri talked, still not looking at Dean.

„I am your devoted brother. My life is your life."

Dean straightened his shoulders. He felt the pull of the bandages Sam had put around one of them after Edo had managed to get a bullet through him.

That´s the formula for ... does it mean Amaya is going to...make me waka-gashira? Aguri´s smart...he´s getting a head-start on my benevolence...nice move, if a little unusual, he thought, smiling slightly. It´s all a big game of chess...and I´m obviously going to get one step nearer to the king now.

„And my life is yours", he answered, according to tradition. Aguri looked up at that. They´d spent two years together at the remote farm house, had learned to fight, to write those hellishly complicated Japanese signs, and Dean had profitted a lot from just having someone to talk to in Japanese. Aguri had been as close to a friend as he´d ever come since he´d come here, aside from Shinichi, the other boy getting trained there...the one Dean had had murdered, on Amaya´s orders... Of course it was over once they´d been separated again, Aguri becoming a skilled guard, Shinichi going to diplomatic school, and Dean attending business school. Hierarchy was strict inside Yakuza.

I wonder what will happen to him if Cas and Sam´s plan plays out, he wondered.

The other man looked finally up, and Dean nodded at him reassuringly. He saw the relief in Aguri´s eyes. I´m a traitor, Dean thought. He trusts me, they all do, and I – I pay them back with treachery. He never did anything to hurt me, or my family back home.

He felt the remorse and doubt creep up inside his chest again, all the pangs of conscience that had kept him awake for the last few nights.

He´s a killer, and he wouldn´t hesitate to shoot me, or Sam, or anyone else if he got the order to do so, he reminded himself. They all are. You yourself should know that, as you are the same. Think about Shinichi ... he saved your life, took a bullet for you, and you – you had him killed like a dog.

Aguri nodded to the other guard, and they opened the door for him. Dean entered the stairway, and slowly went up the steps. He knocked reverently.

„Junko!"

Dean was surprised do hear Amaya´s chair be shoved back, and the other man´s steps come close. The door opened. He stayed bowed down deeply until he felt Amaya´s hand on his chin. Amaya pulled him upright. Dean kept his eyes to the floor, as was requested by etiquette.

„Look at me, Junko."

Wow. He´s seriously promoting me. That´s what I´ve been dreaming of for years.

He raised his eyes, and stared into the dark ones of the smaller man. Amaya was smiling at him. An actual, honest smile that reached his eyes.

„You´ve done well, Junko. Very well. Let me congratulate you ... I had big expectations for you, but I must say you exceeded them."

Dean felt a blush on his cheeks. Such praise from the mightiest man in this branch of Yakuza ... it was priceless, and he´d have killed for it only two weeks ago. One week maybe. And you did. You did kill ... or had people killed. Who knows how many have died for your actions, or for your rise?, he thought, feeling his stomach clench.

He bowed his head in a silent acceptance of Amaya´s praise, lowering his eyes humbly again.

„I feel honored to be part of this family, oba san. Everything I am, I am because of you and your kind interest in me. I am your devote servant and son."

No, I am the snake that will bite you although you´v e fed it and gave it a home, that´s who I truly am. Dean just couldn´t stop the thoughts running through his mind, he was barely able to stand near the man who had, for so long, been a father figure to him. A severe, brilliant, tough, ruthless and cruel man with principles that might not be your usual family values, but they were principles. And Dean realized he´d liked that – to know what was expected, to know how to act and what to do, and to be sure to succeed as long as these principles were followed strictly.

Amaya went to a small, beautifully painted cupboard, and took out two tiny glasses and a bottle.

„Let´s drink to your success", he said.

Dean bowed again, and watched Amaya fill the glasses.

„Lets´ just do it the Western way, shall we?", Amay asked, a smile playing around his lips. „Sometimes it´s so refreshingly... simple." He raised his glass, and said, „To the new waka-gashira!"

Dean was stunned for a moment. He saw the amusement in Amaya´s eyes. „Did you not expect this, Junko? After the festival, the shrine? You have proved yourself worthy in many ways, and I am not one to be stingy when it comes to the reward." He drank, and Dean raised the glass to his lips. He was surprised when he smelled the brandy.

„Thank you...oba san. Thank you very much. I won´t dissappoint you."

„No, you won´t", Amaya said lightly, refilling his glass. „Drink, Junko. It´s time to celebrate."

Dean emptied his glass in one take, and watched Amaya do the same with his.

Another one, and he´ll be drunk like an Irish sailor, he thought.

„I have a present for you", Amaya said, licking his lips. Dean bristled. `Presents´could be anything from a company of his own, to a bloody body, in this world.

„I heard about the attack on your life", Amaya calmly said, turning the bottle in his hand, obviously considering another refill. „And I am appalled by the misbehavior of one of my ...attendants." He opened the bottle once more. Dean´s mind raced. He knows...which means he must know about Sam, too. Which means... holy shit.

Amaya smiled unpleasantly. „I am happy to present you one of the traitor´s followers...one of his best hands, obviously. We managed to catch him...you´ll be surprised to find out he´s a born American, just like you." Amaya went to his desk, and pressed a button on the shiny surface. „Bring him upstairs", he said into the intercom.

„Of course, I had him questioned about the traitor´s scheme...and I´m glad to be able to tell you that with a little... persuasion, he was very ready to tell us almost everything. He claimed to have saved your life at the docks, and seems to be a very skilled confidence trickster. I´ve heard he also claims to be your long-missed brother...who´s come all this way to be united with you, and save you from my greedy claws."

Dean´s heart seemed to stutter. He went completely cold inside. Amaya drained his glass again, and put it down on his desk hard.

„Do you happen to know what I´m talking about, Junko?"

Dean felt the blood leave his face. He was glad he´d drunk the brandy before, somehow it kept him on his feet. Get a grip, and play your role. You can do this...for Sam.

„He didn´t lie about saving my life", he said coolly. „As to the brother thing...I think he wanted to use it as a way into our family. As far as I know, he´s been a professional killer for the last years, and a pretty good one...obviously, he was hoping for a shortcut by sacrificing Edo, and approaching me by telling all those lies about being Sam."

He looked at Amaya, and bowed his head again reverently.

„I´m glad you found him. I think he could be a valuable part of our organization, but the lies he´s told are despicable. Even if he´s saved my life."

Amaya studied Dean´s face. Dean waited, silently praying his performance had been convincing.

„You didn´t think he could be – telling the truth?"

Dean managed to look surprised, and slightly offended.

„My brother is dead. You yourself told me so. How could I doubt your word, oba san?"

Amaya smiled briefly. „Indeed...you´ve always been a good son, Junko." He refilled his glass once more. „I must say I like the boldness and creativity of this guy ... but on the other hand, he´s pretty forward...and I don´t like people who want to miss out steps on our ladder ...every step is a lesson, and those who think they can miss some, are too convinced of their own importance...too smart for their own good." He sipped his fourth brandy.

„We will get rid of him."

Dean felt his spirits sink. Please let this go well...please let Sam be still alive enough for this... he was well aware what Yakuza´s `persuasion´- techniques looked like.

Someone knocked at the narrow door to Amaya´s right.

„Come in!", he bellowed in Japanese, a little too loud. The booze...it´s getting to his head, Dean thought.

He almost gasped when Sam appeared in the doorway... he was pushed into the room from behind, arms bound together at his back, the rope running to his chest under his right armpit, slung around his throat and neck, and vanishing under his other arm. It looked tight and painful, and he could tell from Sam´s ragged breathing it was constricting his airways life threateningly.

What was even worse was Sam´s face...one eye was completely closed, his nose clearly broken, both cheeks red and swollen; his hair was matted at one side, soaked in blood. There was blood on his shirt and trousers, too.

„Ah. Our guest has arrived", Amaya said silkily. „What a pity he won´t be able to stay..." He strolled over to where Sam was held by one of Amaya´s bulky foot soldiers. Sam was so much taller it made Amaya look ridiculously short. The Japanese man raised his arm and caressed Sam´s bruised cheek.

„What a pity", he purred. „You could have made me a fortune in Yoshimara´s whore houses...such a waste, isn´t it? Don´t you agree, Junko?" He grabbed Sam´s chin and turned his head in Dean´s direction. „I bet he has a very ... satisfying chinko hidden in his trousers." Dean watched Amaya lay his hand on Sam´s crotch, and stroke it. „Oh yes... you should have applied for a different job, my boy. With a cock this large, you are destined to give pleasure to men and women alike..." Sam flinched when Amaya dug his fingers into his cock, and pressed hard. Dean bit into the side of his cheek not to cry out. Amaya stared into Sam´s one open eye, a cruel smile playing around his mouth. How did I ever see a father in this man, Dean thought. He´s sadistic and cold as a stone...

Finally, Amaya released Sam´s privates, and turned to Dean. „I woud leave him to you to fuck him unconscious, Junko, but he´s a dirty slut ... dont want you to catch something." Dean had never heard the oba san talk like that ...must be the alcohol, he thought.

He blushed. Amaya came close, and padded his cheek. „No need to blush, son", he said, good humouredly. „I know about your preferences... you´ll get others, and better ones, to give you pleasure." He sauntered over to his desk, and opened a drawer, pulling out a gun with a silencer already fixed to it. He eyed it lovingly, aimed at the wall, and pulled the trigger. With a soft thud, the bullet vanished in the wall´s surface. Dean gazed at his boss, a little preoccupied.

„Oba San?", he asked carefully. Amaya smiled broadly, and returned to Dean´s side, reaching over the gun. „Shoot him", he said. „I don´t mind where and in which order, as long as he´s dead in the end. No need to rush it, son... let´s enjoy ourselves a little, shall we?"

Dean took the gun from his bosses´ hand. He nodded, and managed a grin.

„As you wish, oba san – it will be my pleasure."

He looked at Sam, and nodded almost imperceptibly, aiming at his shoulder, right in front of the guard´s face.

„I will start with his left shoulder", he declared. „On the count of...one, two – three!"

Sam jerked away, and the bullet hit the guard´s front, took the back of the man´s head with it, and landed in the doorframe. Dean turned to face Amaya, who eyed the dead body on the floor with dazed eyes. When he looked up at Dean, he looked confused.

„Junko?", he asked, a little surprised.

„I´m sorry, oba san", Dean whispered. „But this is family."

The bullet hit Amaya right in the middle of his front, sending his body flying through the room, and toppling over the large desk. Dean strode over to look at the crumpled form on the floor. Amaya´s eyes stared at him, empty. Dean bowed over the body, and fingered two keys on a ring out of the dead man´s trousers.

He turned to Sam, who leant against the wall awkardly.

„Let´s move. That silencer istn´t THAT silent after all", Dean murmured. He took a knife from the guard´s belt, and cut the rope around Sam´s throat, helping him to get rid of the bindings.

„You OK? Can you run?"

Sam nodded. „I´m good", he mumbled. „Have been worse."

„I bet", Dean huffed, took his brother´s arm, and pulled him through the narrow side door. He shoved the dead body aside, and closed the door, locking it with one of the keys. They stumbled through the small room, and took the narrow staircase leading to a corridor at the ground floor, and the basement, where unpleasant deals were finished, usually to Yakuza´s advantage, and with a certain body count.

Dean hasted through the corridor, still pulling the slightly dazed Sam with him, until they reached the back door. The guard at the inside looked at them, surprised.

„Junko!", he called. „What do -" Dean´s bullet went right into his heart, and he crumpled to the floor.

Dean took a deep breath, and threw open the door, gun raised. The second guard was dead before he even knew what had hit him; the third tried to hit the gun out of his hand, but he punched the weapon into his face, and shot him while he was still falling.

He scanned the backyard. No more guards.

He grabbed Sam´s jacket, and they stumbled to the door in the wall.

Please, let Cas be there, Dean prayed to some god, any god. Please, please, please let this play out..let us be lucky for once!

Sam stumbled, and almost fell. Dean tightened his grip. „We´re almost there, Sammy...a few steps, and we´re peachy!" Sam moaned. If they hurt him real bad, I´ll just shoot them once more, Dean thought. He opened the door in the wall with the other key, and pushed Sam through the opening, slipped out after him, and closed it again, locking it. He turned, and scanned the street. Cas, where are you...Cas! Don´t leave me hanging here...

A car raced down the lane, and halted with screeching tires. Dean squinted into the window. Cas waved at him, grimacing. A young Japanese girl looked at him from the back seat, eyes wide. Kiyoshi, he thought. Sam´s angel...He ripped the door open, and helped Sam into the front seat. He saw Cas´ appalled face when he noticed his bruises and injuries. Dean hopped into the car. „Go, go, go! The explosives are due to go off in...", he looked at his watch, „One half minute!"

Cas pressed the gas pedal down, and the car jumped forward. Dean realized the translator didn´t maybe have very many hours of practice behind the wheel.

„Cas...are you OK with driving? I mean -"

At this moment, an explosion ripped the air behind them. Dean turned in his seat. A smouldering fireball lightened the ground floor of the building; he felt the shockwave hit the car, push it forward almost ten feet. He heard Cas swear, and was slammed against the side of the car when it slingered wildly to the right, then the left side of the street. Cas managed to stabilize the car – he´s not so bad behind the wheel after all, Dean thought – and Dean looked back again. A huge cloud of black smoke darkened the view; the building was a little askew, and seemed frozen for a second; then it sank down, as if tired of standing there for so long...and Dean just got a glimpse of the fourth floor vanishing into the billowing smoke and dust, before Cas turned the car to the right, and sped it through the narrow lane.

Dean looked at him in the rear mirror. „It´s done", he said, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a grin pull at his lips.

Cas met his eyes in the mirror, and nodded, smiling. His eyes were bright, and unbelievingly blue. Sam watched them, and moaned in exasperation.

„Can you two save it for later...please? I´m hurting enough all over already – and we´ve a boat to catch!"