Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review this story! Over 100 reviews, yay! I wuv you all! :3

Although updates will be less frequent once school starts (next week, what a bother), I'll try to get the next chappie up ASAP. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint! It's 95% Shizuru/Natsuki interactions, yay! (For the readers who wanted to see an intense ethical debate between Shizuru and Natsuki, well, you're out of luck. Asking for a smart ethical debate from me is like asking for a miracle…it ain't gonna happen.)

Warning: Violence, swearing, and will probably have some girl-on-girl action in the future. All the good stuff. ;)
Disclaimer: Don't own a single darn thing, either James Bond or Mai Hime. T'is a shame, really..


Tokyo, Japan

Shizuru politely smiled at the almost extreme reverence that Kobayashi Industries' head executives were showing her. She found their sycophantic attitudes distasteful, but gave no outward indication of her disgust.

"We are extremely grateful that you have expressed an interest in our humble business, Fujino-sama!"

Shizuru inwardly scoffed. Kobayashi Industries was a 'humble business' in the way that Einstein was 'somewhat intelligent.'" And these executives were certainly no Einsteins; they knew that VCS backed Fujino Enterprises, but they had no idea that the woman sitting before them was Shizuru Viola herself.

"The pleasure is all mine. Fujino Enterprises is reaping large benefits by obtaining Kobayashi Industries."

The honey-brunette cynically mused that the men and women of the board had very fickle loyalties—easily abandoning the yakuza when it became apparent that VCS Tokyo would win the gang war. Such people were unreliable, and she'd have to replace them as quickly as possible.

"Fujino-sama, would you like to see our most recent business transactions? I assure you that they will be successful, so you do not have to worry." The vice president of Kobayashi Industries, a pretty blonde woman, gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. Shizuru smiled back politely, but her insides roiled with distaste. The other woman had been staring at her throughout the entire meeting.

Shizuru glanced at her watch and was pleased to note that the meeting had ended much earlier than she thought it would. "I will take a brief look."

A file was slid towards her. Shizuru was mostly disinterested as she flipped though the file, but stopped when a familiar name caught her eye.

The board members looked at her still form in alarm. "Fujino-sama, is anything wrong?"

Shizuru glanced up impassively. "Nothing is wrong. I just noticed that there are transactions with a company that I have not seen in Japan before, called First District?"

One of the board members spoke up. "Ah, that is a South American-based company that is focused on converting uranium to usable energy. It's a good investment, since Japan does not have any natural fuel resources."

"Interesting. Can someone send me the entire business transaction to me?" Shizuru stood up to indicate the end of the meeting.

The board members hastily followed suit. "Of course, Fujino-sama!" The vice-president seemed especially eager to please Shizuru. The crime leader nearly rolled her eyes when the other woman hungrily checked her out.

The board members left the conference room, laughing and talking pleasantly. Shizuru snapped her briefcase shut and looked up. She paused when she saw that the vice president had not left with the other executives. "Do you need something, Hayate-san?"

The blonde woman sauntered up to Shizuru. "It's something I want more than need, Fujino-sama." She grabbed the lapels of Shizuru's blazer and pressed her front against Shizuru's.

Shizuru apathetically stared into the shorter woman's eyes. Green eyes slyly peeked up at her through blond lashes. Shizuru furrowed her brow as another, more intense pair of green eyes and dark hair immediately flashed through her mind. Ara, what was that?

The crimson-eyed beauty gave a little grimace. Although normally she would have taken the other woman on the conference table and left afterwards without a single thought about what had just transpired, something was holding her back this time. Something…or someone.

Shizuru gave Hayate a stiff smile and pried the other woman's hands off her jacket. "I'm afraid it's something I cannot provide, Hayate-san. Have a good day." The beauty picked up her briefcase and left the room without even sparing the vice president another glance.

The woman waited for several seconds before taking out her phone and dialing a number. "It's me."

"Is the meeting over?" A nervous voice asked.

"She'll be outside the building within five minutes."

"Good. Stay where you are, we don't want to take any chances of rousing her suspicions. The woman's extremely perceptive."

Hayate gave a sound of confirmation and snapped the phone shut. She sighed somewhat wistfully. "It's too bad, Viola, I would've made a fantastic last fuck."

-000-000-

Shizuru absentmindedly played with her PDA as the elevator made a slow descent. Shizuru's thoughts unwillingly turned to a certain dark-haired beauty. The grip on her phone unconsciously tightened as she thought about what Natsuki had said this morning.

Shizuru wondered how she would beat that stubborn self-righteousness out of the other woman and winced; there was no other way to Natsuki to understand her lifestyle until Shizuru explained her circumstances. She was known for her persuasive tongue, but talking and acting freely, no bullshit involved, around other people was something she rarely did. Scratch that: she had never acted like herself around anyone except for her father.

At least it's Natsuki. Shizuru felt strangely less reluctant about showing her true self around the British agent. It was hard to put a term to it, but if Shizuru had to describe her connection with the agent, they were like interlocking pieces of a puzzle.

And if talking doesn't work, I can always literally beat the self-righteousness out of her with my naginata. Shizuru smirked.

The elevator doors opened with a ping, and Shizuru stepped out. Scrolling through her contacts, she dialed a number. "Akane-san?"

"Shizuru-san, how did the meeting go?"

"Well enough. Kobayashi Industries will soon become a subsidiary of Fujino Enterprises."

Akane's laugh was heard through the phone. "I knew you'd do it. Wakashi and Sato are going to have a shit fit when they hear about this."

Shizuru chuckled. "I tend to have that reaction on people."

She stepped outside, taking a breath of fresh air after being stuck for hours in a stale, air-conditioned environment. The breath caught in her throat when a large SUV screeched up to the entrance. The backseat window rolled down enough to reveal a barrel of an Uzi.

Akane, hearing the screech of tires, immediately sounded worried. "Shizuru-san? Shizuru, what's happening?"

Crimson eyes were focused on the barrel of the gun as Shizuru softly said into the phone, "I'm afraid I'll have to call you back, Akane." The phone dropped from her hand, heedless of the frantic voice still coming through.

Shizuru stared unwaveringly into the barrel of the gun and internally cursed herself. Stupid! How could you let your guard down? You have no one to blame but yourself.

Another screech of tires caused Shizuru to open the eyes that she had unconsciously closed. A shiny black motorcycle had pulled up between her and the SUV, inches away from where she was standing. The figure on the motorcycle slammed up the visor on its helmet to reveal brilliant emerald eyes. "Natsuki?"

-000-000-

Natsuki cursed furiously as another horn sounded behind her. She nearly sideswiped a van ahead of her in her rush to go faster. Get out of the way, asshole!

The Kobayashi Industries glass building loomed ahead. The needle on the speedometer slowly inched more to the right.

Natsuki was so close to the building; close enough to see a black SUV screech to a halt in front of a motionless figure. Shizuru!

The agent instinctively braked, skidding to a stop between the SUV and Shizuru, and slammed open her visor. The other woman looked strangely resigned for one facing inevitable death, but when crimson eyes connected with emerald, the fire in them rekindled.

Within a second, Shizuru was on the bike with her arms wrapped around Natsuki's waist. Natsuki flipped down her visor and accelerated.

At the same time, the figure in the SUV recovered from his shock enough to fire wildly after the retreating motorcycle.

The pair of arms around Natsuki tightened as the agent expertly wove in and out of traffic. Hearing the whine of accelerated engines behind them, Natsuki glanced over at the side mirror to see several motorcycles quickly gaining on them.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. "We've got company." Natsuki could barely hear the other woman's voice.

Natsuki scowled. At this speed, there was no way she could use her gun without slowing down a bit, and distance was a luxury she could not give up. Instead, she briefly took a hand off the handlebars to move Shizuru's arms lower down on her waist to her hips, where Shizuru could feel the guns holstered underneath the agent's jacket. Unfortunately, that also meant that Shizuru's hands came daringly close to the junction of her legs.

"Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

Underneath the helmet, Natsuki scowled. She could practically see the shit-eating grin on Shizuru's face. "Less talking, more shooting!"

Shizuru grabbed one pistol and turned. The closest motorcycle was only a few dozen feet away, and the driver had already pulled out his gun. Hearing several shots, Natsuki looked in the side mirror to see that Shizuru had hit her target unerringly.

The pursuer fell off his bike, causing the cars around him to swerve and crash into each other. Through the wreckage, at least five more motorcycles appeared.

Shizuru frowned. "Unless Natsuki has a bazooka tucked in that jacket somewhere, she should drive faster."

In response, Natsuki sped up drastically, forcing Shizuru to bury her face between Natsuki's shoulder blades to avoid the strong wind. Natsuki cursed violently when she saw that some of their pursuers were still able to keep up.

Natsuki was struck by an idea when she saw a gasoline tanker truck ahead. Pulling out her other pistol, Natsuki shot at the gasoline tank. Oil began to pour in rivulets onto the asphalt, causing the truck's wheels to lose traction. The truck skidded and flipped over with a crash. As the bike passed by the overturned truck, Natsuki shot at the tires' steel rims. One bullet hit the metal in just the right place, creating small sparks…right next to a trail of oil.

A dazed truck driver stumbled out of the cabin. He flinched when a black motorcycle with two figures on it zoomed by a few feet away from him. The man turned around to survey the damage when he saw that one of the little trails of oil had caught on fire…the little trail of oil which led right to the tanker itself, still holding a few thousand gallons of oils in a very compact space. Oh shit. He turned and ran.

Natsuki smirked as the sky lit up behind them. She looked in the side mirror to see that the tanker truck had turned into a literal fireball, turning the sky orange and destroying that part of the highway. All lanes of traffic were effectively blocked, stopping their pursuers in the process.

She turned and exited the highway as quickly as possible, ending up at a deserted lot underneath the freeway. Turning off the engine, Natsuki took off her helmet and dismounted the bike. Shizuru wordlessly followed and gave Natsuki a scrutinizing stare.

Natsuki offered an awkward half-smile. She had no idea what to do now, and this quiet, calculating Shizuru was rather unnerving. She cleared her throat. "So—am I forgiven for this morning?"

Whatever response Natsuki had expected, she definitely didn't expect being punched in the face. Really, really hard.

The agent stumbled backwards. "Oww…"

The pain was immediately forgotten when Shizuru stepped closer and placed a light kiss on the rapidly forming bruise, daringly close to Natsuki's lips. "Ara, I'd say we're about even."

"Sure." Natsuki scrutinized the other woman carefully. At first glance, Shizuru had a façade of elegant indifference, but the agent could see the slight trembling in pink lips, the slight crease between perfectly shaped eyebrows, and a strange look of resignation in those crimson irises. It was the same look that Shizuru had worn when staring down the barrel of the gun. "You okay?"

To her surprise, the honey brunette stepped up to Natsuki and hugged her. Natsuki hesitated for several seconds before wrapping her arms around Shizuru.

"It's been a long day." The statement was exhaled against Natsuki's shoulder.

"Yeah. Let's get you home."

-000-000-

Natsuki paced the floor of Shizuru's living room, holding a phone in her hand. She had tried to get into contact with the leader of VCS Tokyo, Higurashi-san or whatever, but she had been told that Akane was busy. More specifically, the speaker on the phone said, 'Higurashi-san is out shooting yakuza scum. Can I take a message?'" At least they're honest, if brutally so.

The apartment was eerily silent, just like its owner. The agent was somewhat unnerved by Shizuru's unusually brooding manner, being used to the easy-going, smart-mouthed, and occasionally ruthless Shizuru.

Natsuki tossed the phone on the bed and decided to look for Shizuru. The woman had disappeared off somewhere, but Natsuki figured it would take only take a few minutes to find out where she had gone. How many places could there possibly be to hide in an apartment?

-Fifteen minutes later-

"Where the hell is she?" Natsuki tightened her jaw in frustration. There was no sign of the other woman anywhere, and damn it, Natsuki was in no mood to play hide and seek!

A breeze blew by Natsuki, catching her attention. She turned her head to see that the balcony doors had been left open. The agent stepped out onto the balcony and let out a low whistle at the view. Below were the streets of Tokyo, a showcase of small colorful lights.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Natsuki jerked in surprise and whipped her head to the left. Shizuru was calmly sitting on the ledge of the building, one hand holding a glass of dark amber liquid while the other was placed against the ledge as a support. The crime leader seemed unfazed by the fact that she was sitting 600 feet above the ground with nothing to stop her from falling.

"What are you doing?" Natsuki looked at Shizuru warily. She did not just risk her life to save a suicidal woman; that was too ironic for words.

"Enjoying the view." Shizuru gave her a cynical smile and held up her glass. "Would Natsuki care to join me?"

Natsuki climbed over the balcony's guardrail and cautiously sat next to Shizuru. She eyed the glass in Shizuru's hand. "Alcohol and high places do not mix well."

"Do you fear death?"

Natsuki blinked at the sudden question. "What?"

"Death: noun. The termination of the biological functions that define a living organism. Eternal sleep. Being—"

Natsuki held up a hand, scowling. "I know what it is! I just want to know what's with the sudden question."

"Humor me." The tired look in those crimson eyes did not go away.

Natsuki looked around. Everything seemed so much clearer when sitting literally two inches away from death. The lines were sharper, the colors brighter than they would've seemed from the safety of the balcony. "Double-0 agents don't have very long life expectancies. I'd much rather be alive, but it's something I've come to accept."

Shizuru idly kicked her feet. "I see."

Natsuki glanced at her. "What about you?"

Shizuru tilted her head back. "I think…that if your actions are responsible for someone's death and yet you continue to do those actions, then you've lost the right to fear dying."

Natsuki raised her eyebrows. "The innate fear of death isn't easy to relinquish."

Shizuru cracked a grin. "Au contraire, I believe it is fairly easy to overcome. Sartre once said, 'If I have gained anything by damning myself, it is that I no longer have anything to fear.' And believe me, the magnitude of my and my family's transgressions is enormous."

"I'm well aware."

Crimson eyes flashed dangerously. "Careful. Don't make the mistake of assuming that you know what I do again."

Natsuki chose her next words carefully. "I've seen the ugly side of the world enough to know what people are capable of doing. In my job, it's easy to think the worst of others because doing so may save your life. I didn't mean to make assumptions, but VCS is a well-known criminal organization for a good reason."

The fury in Shizuru's eyes died, and she sighed. "The reasons being murder, theft, extortion, and bribery, among others. Yet there are some things that I find too unsavory, even for VCS. I dislike dealing in hard drugs, so income from that is minimal. The VCS branches under my control do not have any dealings at all in slavery and sex trafficking."

"Irina told me that you've only been in control for about a year, and yet you've legitimized most of VCS' dealings." A gust of wind blew against the two women, causing Natsuki to tighten her grip on the ledge.

Shizuru's mouth quirked in dark amusement. "Irina lived on the streets for the twelve years. Many things she considers 'legitimate' are still crimes in normal society."

"Ah, I should've known. The girl tried to pickpocket me before."

"And you caught her? She must like you; if she really wanted to take your wallet, you probably wouldn't have noticed until hours later."

"More likely that she discovered that my wallet was located right under my gun."

"That too. But I digress; it's true that I took over VCS after my father was killed a year ago. I did also shut down some deals that I disapproved of and invested VCS money in legitimate fields like technology and business."

Green eyes scrutinized the crime leader. "Why didn't you take control earlier? No doubt you had countless opportunities to help your father."

"Would Natsuki believe me if I told her that I was never interested?"

"Would Shizuru be offended if I said no?" Natsuki returned dryly.

The honey brunette chuckled. "Not at all. I may have been interested in the glamour and money to be made as a criminal leader when I was younger, but I was never interested in the job itself. Too lazy to work when I was younger, and when I grew up, my priorities straightened out."

"So why are you here?" The question was blunt, typical of Natsuki's style, and hung heavily in the air between them.

Shizuru stared hard at the agent. "If the person who you loved most in the world was murdered, wouldn't you do anything to get revenge?"

Natsuki remained silent.

Shizuru continued. "The Viola Crime Syndicate wouldn't have become as powerful as it is now if my father hadn't been motivated by revenge. My mother was killed during a war between VCS and another gang. With her gone, there was nothing to stop my father from crushing every opponent in his path and taking everything they had. My uncle tells me that even he was scared of Kenji Viola at that time. I didn't fully understand what a strong motivator revenge was until my father was assassinated. I had been planning to cut any ties with VCS once my father died, but how could I leave if he was killed? The only way I could find the assassin was to submerge myself in the criminal world, and I will not stop until I find the person who took my father away from me." Shizuru's mouth was determined, but Natsuki clearly saw the doubt in her red eyes.

"You're not sure that what you're doing is right." Her smooth voice caused Shizuru to falter slightly.

Shizuru looked away. "My mother was a victim; my father was not. I realized that for everyone else, the world was better off—safer—because someone killed him. However, he was the best father I could ask for. What I'm doing may not be right, but I think it's necessary. I decided to follow my father's path, so I wondered how long until someone would try to kill me, too." She gave a humorless laugh. "I suppose I've received my answer today."

"Is your desire for revenge worth throwing away the life you've wanted?"

Shizuru shrugged and smiled darkly. "I'll find out eventually. By that time, I'll also be able to tell you if the world is better off with me dead."

Natsuki gently took her hand and examined the slender fingers. "I can't tell you if the world will be better off without you. It might, it might not." She paused and added quietly, "But if you were gone, my world would be worse off for it."

Shizuru's eyes widened. A mixture of confusion, curiosity, and gratitude replaced the tired look in her eyes.

Natsuki realized a second too late what had come out of her mouth. Shit. She studiously avoided the intense crimson stare and cringed when she heard the other woman take in a breath. Shizuru was undoubtedly going to ask her what she meant, a question that she didn't want to answer—

"It's cold."

"I didn't mean—wait, what?"

Shizuru stifled a laugh at the confusion on Natsuki's face, which morphed into relief. Don't expect me to forget what you've said. I'll just bring it up when your guard is down, Natsuki.

The honey brunette took Natsuki's arm and leaned her head on the agent's shoulder. "Perhaps Natsuki should get her hearing checked."

Natsuki scowled. "My hearing is just fine. If you can calmly sit on the ledge of a building with nothing to stop you from falling to your death, I think you can handle a bit of cold." She tried to desperately ignore the fact that Shizuru fit perfectly against her side. Like two pieces of a puzzle.

Shizuru gave her a dry look. "Forgive my language, but I don't sit here for shits and giggles. It helps me become more accustomed to the idea of dying. One clumsy misstep on my part and it's all over, not unlike in my profession."

Natsuki sighed. "Can't you just play in traffic or something?"

"I tried that once. It didn't turn out as expected."

"I can see that; you're alive, aren't you?"

"Actually, it was in Shibuya. Imagine my surprise when hundreds of other pedestrians began to follow me! I have the distinct privilege of starting the tradition of Shibuya's scramble crossing." Shizuru's face was perfectly neutral, but the corners of her lips were turned up the slightest bit.

"Funny. What would your subordinates think if they found out that their leader is a closet comedian?" Natsuki deadpanned.

"They would assume it was just another one of my quirks."

Natsuki had to chuckle at Shizuru's playfulness. Was that how the woman would have been if she had been allowed to live without the burden of VCS? Or was it just the alcohol and adrenaline rush from being in a dangerous place that made the crime leader act so…freely?

"I'm curious to know one thing."

Shizuru gave her a disinterested glance. "I must warn you, curiosity killed the cat."

"I prefer dogs."

"Touché. What is it that Natsuki wishes to know?"

Natsuki tried to ignore the sweet scent of Shizuru's hair. "What do you plan to do once you've gotten your revenge?"

Shizuru stiffened. Natsuki was surprised to see an almost sheepish smile on her face. "Ara, I haven't really thought about it."

Natsuki furrowed her brow. "You realize that whatever you do, the chances of you getting out of this intact get slimmer with each passing day."

"Nothing better than a good challenge."

Natsuki rolled her eyes. "One that will end with you in jail."

Shizuru merely chuckled and shook her head. "Not until I say so. But if I do happen to be incarcerated, I certainly hope that my subordinates would try to break me out."

Natsuki sighed. "I suppose some of them would be crazy enough to try. Higurashi, for example. You should contact her; the last I heard, she's on a mission to burn down half of Tokyo in your name.'

Shizuru's eyes softened. "Ah, Akane. I'd be hard-pressed to find a more loyal lieutenant, or a better friend."

"Or one who's easier to keep track of, I assume."

"Absolutely." Shizuru poured more scotch into the glass and handed it to Natsuki, keeping the bottle for herself. "We're a distrustful, miserable bunch just waiting to get what's coming to us, aren't we?"

"Cheers." Natsuki gave her a sardonic smile and raised her glass in a mock salute.

Shizuru surveyed the twinkling cityscape before them. "The night is so much more beautiful than the day."

"Because light is easier to see in the darkness."

"A closet poet? What would your fellow agents say?" Despite her teasing words, Shizuru seemed honestly surprised.

Natsuki snorted. "I think they would be more concerned to see me drinking a bottle of Johnnie Walker with a well-known criminal on the ledge of a building."

"Natsuki decided to keep me company in defiance of her peers? I'm flattered."

Natsuki scoffed. "You have something I need. If I have to stay on this ledge with you to get it, then I will."

"And what is it that Natsuki needs so badly? Perhaps it is something I could give to her in the bedroom?" Shizuru looked at her through lowered lashes.

Natsuki smirked. There was no harm in flirting, right? "In the bedroom, on the couch, on the table—it can be anywhere. I'm not picky."

"How about by the computer?"

"Ooh, kinky."

Shizuru finally laughed out loud, causing Natsuki to marvel at how laughter could sound so beautiful. "Ara, Natsuki has an answer for everything. Such persistence should be rewarded." She motioned Natsuki to get on the balcony. "I was sent a file concerning First District via email. Perhaps Natsuki is interested?"

Natsuki carefully climbed over the balcony rail before turning and offering a hand to Shizuru. Shizuru raised an eyebrow but took it with a genuine smile, making Natsuki's stomach flip. Once Shizuru was safely on the balcony, Natsuki tugged her hand, pulling the honey brunette flush against her front. "I'm very interested. I suppose it'll only be fair for me to return the favor."

The smile on Shizuru's face turned thoughtful. "Natsuki waited until now to tell me she had information for me? Now I'm seriously reconsidering giving her what she…needs."

Natsuki only half-heard, since she was distracted by the fact that they were still pressed up close together, except now their lips were only inches apart. She could feel Shizuru's breath mingling with hers and it was driving her mad. Alarms went off in a part of Natsuki's brain but were quickly shushed.

Natsuki forced her eyes to look away from luscious pink lips. "I'm not the only one who can negotiate. Don't worry, I'll give you what you want…after you help me."

Shizuru's left hand was half-curled and positioned oh so very gently behind Natsuki's neck while the other was resting on the agent's sturdy shoulder. "And if I want it now?"

Natsuki brought their faces close enough for their lips to brush. She stayed there for a few moments, watching Shizuru's eyes flutter close. "…Then I'm afraid you're shit out of luck."

Crimson eyes snapped open in shock as Natsuki took a step back, smirking. Natsuki turned around and went back into the apartment, feeling the heat of Shizuru's gaze burn holes into her back. She nearly laughed in glee at the waves of disbelief and fury emanating from the alluring temptress behind her. That, Shizuru, was for knocking me out in the bathroom when we first met.


Buenos Aires, Argentina

"Mr. Kanzaki!"

A short man in a lab coat burst into Reito's office, only to gape when he saw a half-naked woman sitting in his boss' lap.

Reito cast the man an annoyed look while the girl in his lap giggled and waved her fingers at the flustered scientist. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"

The short man tried not to quail under his boss' intense stare. "The reactor. For the Four Horsemen project? I've finished it."

Reito's eyes lit up with unholy glee and stood up quickly, pushing the girl to the side. "Well done, Dr. Greene! I knew you could finish it."

The short man smiled in relief. "Dr. Moore."

"Excuse me?" Reito's voice turned dangerously soft.

The scientist realized his mistake too late. He stuttered out, "Y-you got rid of Dr. Greene a few days ago. I am Dr. Moore."

A few seconds of tense silence passed before Reito nodded his head. "You'll send the diagram of the reactors to First District as soon as you can, won't you, Dr. Moore?"

Dr. Moore tried to stop his trembling. "Of course, Mr. Kanzaki."

He turned to leave when Reito's voice called out, "Doctor?"

"Y-yes?"

His heart dropped into his stomach when he heard Reito coldly state, "Presume to correct me again and you'll soon find yourself a replacement. Have a good day."

"Y-yes, sir. Thank you."

As the scientist tried to walk away as fast as he could without running, he heard Reito growl at the woman, "That goes for you, too."

"But Reiiiito…"

There was the sound of a zipper being unzipped and the thump of something heavy being slammed down. The scientist assumed Reito had thrown the woman onto the desk. "But what, you bitch?"

The woman moaned. "Ughh…harder, Reito!"

The scientist nearly slammed the door behind him, the tips of his ears flaming red.

-000-000-

Reito lazily looked up when Takeda walked into his office. "Ah, Takeda. I was looking for you this morning."

The scarred man gave a slight bow. "My apologies, Kanzaki-san. I was out for a walk when I ran into an intriguing individual."

Reito raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"He claims to be your brother."

Reito frowned, but before he could say anything, the door opened, revealing a large man with a goatee. He grinned widely at Reito and took a seat in front of a displeased Reito. "Bro! Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"

"Who the hell are you?" Reito asked icily.

"Now, is that any way to speak to your older brother?" The naïve man chided, oblivious to Reito's growing anger. "It turns out we have the same daddy! Isn't that something?"

"That's wonderful."

"I nearly had a heart attack when my mother told me that my daddy was Akio Viola, may she rest in peace. It took me nearly two years to track down my rightful family, but here I am!" He beamed at Reito.

Takeda sniggered. "He looks exactly like you, Kanzaki-san."

Reito scowled at Takeda and shot his "brother" a contemptuous look. The man was trash, not fit to even claim that he was a Viola. "What the fuck do you want?"

His "brother" gave him a pleading look. "I need a job, bro. Also, this Colombian drug cartel is after me for something I didn't do. Help me out, will ya?"

"Why?"

"Because we're brothers, that's why—"

Reito smoothly procured a gun and shot his "brother" in the forehead. The man's face was frozen in a look of surprise before he slumped forwards. "No, we're not."

Reito glared at Takeda, who by this time was laughing boisterously. "I hate it when you bring me anybody claiming to be related to me."

Takeda wiped away a tear. "Forgive me, Kanzaki-san, but I think they're hilarious. This one especially, calling you 'bro' every chance he got—"

Reito sneered at the body. "Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic."

Takeda settled into the chair next to the body. "I also heard that the reactor is completed. Congratulations, Kanzaki-san."

Reito smiled triumphantly. "Thank you, Takeda. If all goes well, I'll be able to implement the plan in a week."

Takeda looked at him in surprise. "So soon?"

"But of course. I am quite efficient, if nothing else. We should be leaving for Japan in a few days, depending on how quickly the operation can be set up."

"Operation Four Horsemen. A curious name, if you don't mind me saying," Takeda mused.

"Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. The Four Horsemen will bring about the apocalypse, or so the story goes." Reito leisurely walked around his desk and stopped in front of the corpse.

"An apt name for your project, then."

Reito reached out a hand and pushed the dead man's head back so that he was now staring blankly at the ceiling. The trails of blood disappeared underneath his shirt, ending in a puddle on the carpet. Reito found the color of dried blood to be dark. Intoxicating. Beautiful.

He smiled beatifically and intoned, "You have no idea."


If I had the chance to lead a crime syndicate, would I? You betcha! ;) I would say that I hope you guys have better morals than I do, but then I'd be lying, and that completely defeats the purpose..

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