Chapter Three

~ooOoo~

Rin waited impatiently for the man to calm down. The man huffed before looking up, his features were tight with fear and anxiety as he swallowed back another whimper. "What do you want to know exactly?"

"Everything."

Rin paused and reconsidered his answer, "Well rather what you know about what Mephisto's planning. My men have been stretched thin recently dealing with all this shit that always leads back to him." Pausing with a frown, Rin looked directly into the man's eyes and growled, "I am starting to get a bit frustrated."

The man nodded slowly before shifting in the seat, the chain rattled until he settled uncomfortably. Rin's face stayed plain and emotionless as he waited for the man to speak, the only sign that his patience was wearing thin was the way his foot kept tapping.

"Well you're saying your resources are stretched because of a bunch of gangs starting trouble and your connections keep backstabbing you. That is exactly what he wants, for your clan to be weak before he decides to attack. He needs you to be distracted. He can't have you expecting him but, obviously that didn't work you've been discovering and disposing of his agents so quickly and extracting information from them."

Rin ran a hand through his hair in a rare sign of frustration and confusion, "But why now? Our clans never had any reason to fight before: he has always encouraged peace among both of our clans." Turning to look at Tetsuo and Ginta he asked, "There haven't been any reports of skirmishes or grudges between us before all of this chaos started occurring?"

Both shook their heads. Tetsou frowned deeply, "There was no trigger to these events that we are aware of. One day we just started getting these reports that connected to Mephisto."

Rin huffed before turning back to the man, "Do you know why." he asked with an arched brow.

"You don't see why he's doing it?" The man asked in complete astonishment.

A flash of anger swept through Rin at the man's stupid question.

Really if we knew would we be wasting our time with your ass? Rin thought in indignation.

Needing to express the rage Rin kicked the chair so it tipped back and the man landed on his wrists cuffed behind the chair. A sickening snap was heard in the room as the man screamed in agony. With a smile Rin crouched net to him. In a cheery voice he asked, "Why don't you explain it to us if it's so fucking simple?"

With his head tilted slightly to the right and a mischievous smile creeping on his face Rin waited for the man to stop screaming and talk. Gasping the man huffed out, "In less than a year you took away the balance. You destroyed the Kuronuma's and gained all of the power they lost. In one day you had double the advantage and power over him. He really wasn't expecting that to happen, he raged for days."

With a small grin slipping over his face he looked at Rin, studying his hair, face, and body. With a small laugh he continued, "Even worse was the fact that he hasn't been able to figure out who exactly took over the clan. I think he would explode if he knew a kid had the advantage over him."

With a frown Rin stood up and shrugged, "He shouldn't be so upset; I'll just do what the clans originally did and split the power and territory evenly between us." With a casual wave of his hand Rin signaled his guards to kill the man as he started to leave the room.

Noticing the advancing guards the man screamed in desperation, "WAIT! Don't you know what he was involved in?"

When Rin paused to look at him in interest he continued, "I recognize you now. You look just like your mother; except for the eyes you have your father's eyes." Rin's face tightened in displeasure, seeing this, the man continued in a rush, "Yuka would never have had the resources to find you and your mother. Mephisto had a couple of your clan members give the information and even gave Yuka a couple of his men to help with the genocide." Gasping he paused and prayed to all the Gods he knew that the information would be enough to stop the boy from having him killed.

Rin quickly collected himself. Feelings of anger at Mephisto's building betrayals and petty reasons for them caused him to grit his teeth. But with the anger came shame. He hadn't even been able to avenge his mother properly. Putting on a mask of indifference he turned his face to look at the man.

"You have given me a lot to think about." A long pause issued as Rin thought about what the man should receive as some sort of reward for the willingly offered information that would lead him to the last man to die for his revenge to be fulfilled. "I guess I should reconsider my plans for your death."

Sighing in relief the man relaxed, wincing slightly at the pain in his wrists. With a smile Rin turned to his guards, "Kill him painlessly rather than what we discussed before."

Nodding Ginta and Tetsou began walking across the room to the man in the chair. The man's head shot up in shock and fear, "N-no! I TOLD YOU EVERYTHING! Don't do this." The man screamed, the sound resonating with his fear and anger.

Rin quickly left the room, completely ignoring the man's screams he considered the time. Knowing soon the Kyoto kids would arrive soon and he still had to get dressed he walked slightly quicker to get back to his room. He briefly wondered if the man had liked his prize.

ooOoo

Yukio walked into the condo and nodding hello to everyone who sat patiently in the living room. Shima jumped up from, "Shit Yukio! 'took you long enough to get back if we don't leave now we'll be late!" With an exaggerated pout he picked up his coat and left. Rolling his eyes Yukio turned to everyone else, "Sorry, I lost track of the time. Bon tell me about the call with your father when we are in the car."

Bon nodded and put on his coat as he followed Yukio. Shiemi and Miwa followed suit as they quickly followed Bon and Yukio. When they got to the car Shima was sitting on the trunk waiting for them to arrive. Yukio hit him in the back of the head and he fell forward, he caught himself before he hit the ground and looked at Yukio in shock and slight hurt, "Why'd ya do that for?"

Yukio glared at him, "You were sitting on my car!" Pushing up his glasses he opened the doors for the car and everyone slid inside. The minute they started driving Bon turned to Yukio. "Dad wants us to quickly gather any information and leave, he doesn't like the idea of us being here alone when the fighting reaches a boiling point."

Yukio nodded, "Did he give us a time limit."

Bon inclined his head, "We have one month before he wants us back in Kyoto."

"Ha ha! Yukio my turn! My turn!" Shima bounced excitedly. "Miwa and I found out soooo much while reading, wanna hear?"

Bon glared at him, "Are you ever going to grow up? Wait until we get back to the condo so you can show him the files."

Pouting Shima crossed his arms, "No fair."

Miwa patted his arm reassuringly, "We'll get our turn when we get home, don't worry. Also when you think about it we have a lot more important things to say."

Shima smilled reassured.

Bon stared at Miwa incredulously; Miwa smiled as if to say There is only one way to get him to stop complaining. When Bon rolled his eyes Miwa shrugged and went back to staring out the window with a small smile.

"We've arrived." Yukio pulled into the parking lot with a small frown that nobody noticed as they got out of the car. He followed everyone with at a slower pace feeling a nervous clenching in his stomach. Cobalt blue eyes flashed in his mind.

Ugh I don't even know the kid, why am I so nervous. It doesn't even make sense. With a deeper frown Yukio shook his head slightly as if to shake away his thoughts of Rin. When they walked inside Izumo was already waiting for them. Her hair was is a bun decorated with pearls. She wore a dark purple kimono with a white obi that stopped just below her knees. Her heels were white with ribbons around her ankles. Nodding to them she turned and led them out to a path that led to a separate part of the mansion that was detached from the rest. Pausing to turn to them Izumo folded her hands, "Inside Okumura-sama is waiting for you. He may or may not choose to speak to you directly; you will answer politely and answer when spoken to." With a small frowned she looked them over. "You should be okay in there...I think."

Opening the shogi screen door Izumo made a small gesture for them to enter, so they all did rather hesitantly. Yukio was rather annoyed with all the show and fuss but wore a polite smile as he sat down in the five seats on the right side of the table. The screen opened from behind the left side of the table and Rin entered wearing a blue and white striped yukuta with a dark blue obi. A white marble pin with a silver bell held back a part of his bangs behind his right ear, leaving the rest to fall on the left side. He smiled warmly at them as he sat down on the other side of the table. Shura walked in after him wearing a mini-kimono that was a deep indigo with green leaf designs, she nodded and sat, leaving one seat between herself and Rin. A man they didn't know followed Shura, he wore a black suit and had long silvery hair in a braid. He wore a black cat mask with white and black designs. He was frowning in annoyance as he sat in the seat between Rin and Shura.

Leaning back he folded his hands on the table in a comfortable position, "You may call me Okumura-san, the purpose of this delayed meeting was that we had to confirm some doubts about your... intentions when you came to the restaurant"

They waited in silence for him to continue. He hadn't said anything that wouldn't warrant a negative response. Yukio noticed Miwa lightly holding on to Bon's arm as he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in anger at Okumura-san's implications. Yukio wondered if this man was the new clan leader. It would make sense, he looked old enough to bear a grudge against the Kuronumas, and his presence was cold, and...deadly. But, he had not introduced himself as anything higher than san, and if what he said about their intentions was any indication of what he knew about them, than he knew they were related in some way to the yakuza.

With an amused smile at the tense silence that had met, Okumura-san continued, "We knew what clan you belonged to the moment you stepped into the restaurant. But, we were quite pleased with this turnout."

Bon frowned as his whole body tensed at Okumura-san's words. Miwa and Shima looked nervously at him but, neither made a move to try and restrain his rising anger.

"How would you know who we were? And how would this benefit you and the Okumura-clan?", Bon's voice literally dripped with suspicion and barely restrained anger. It was his first mission and he had been found out too quickly, to have been of any real service to his dad.

Yukio quickly assessed the scene. They were lucky Okumura-san hadn't reacted badly to the hostility in Bon's tone rather he looked amused and Shura was smirking while Rin was using his sleeve to discretely hide his grin. Yukio found the action cute and mischievous, the image of a cat that had successfully tricked his prey sprang into his mind, making him chuckle slightly. Miwa glanced at with slight confusion, in response Yukio shook his head to dismiss his chuckle. While the image amused him it also slightly disturbed Yukio since he had begun to see Rin as a gentle person. Now he saw that Rin was rather more...mischievous and childish. Frowning slightly he realized the Okumura's were very happy with Bon's response because it was so...expected.

"Our clan has recently had the habit of keeping track of all rival clan leaders, their family members, and close business associates. Nyah, the new management has been pretty rewarding so far." Shura grinned slyly as she laughed at the surprise on their faces.

Keeping his face blank Yukio studied them. The new leader was...good. They had done something nobody really did. Most yakuza knew the names of the major players but not all the faces. The surprise he had felt at Shura's statement had almost made him gasp out loud. It would mean they recognized Bon by his face and Suguro-sama had always kept Bon away from the business. Most people in other clans had never even seen Bon when he was a child let alone now. Wary now of the Okumura's, Yukio wanted this meeting to be over quickly, they had underestimated the power and resourcefulness of the new leader and he wasn't sure if their intentions towards them were friendly.

"The reason it is a boon rather than a bane is because we would like to invite your father here to arrange an alliance of some sort between our clans. We have heard nice things about you from Rin's first impression of you, we hope this will extend to your entire clan and a strong alliance is formed." Okumura-san nodded to Shura and she stood up and accepted an envelope from him, "Shura will now go to give the invitation to your father. We would like for you to say for dinner, Rin will show you to his private dining room." Nodding to Rin and the group he inclined his head, "Good Night."

They all politely bowed as he left. The minute he left the room they all visually relaxed. Shima groaned and ruffled his hair in frustration, "I am sooooo glad that's over. I was so tense I thought I was going to have a heart attack every time he spoke."

"Shima!" Miwa shook his head and glanced at Rin, who was just smiling at them with an utterly bemused expression.

"It's okay Miwa, Shima's just being honest and I think you all handled yourselves quite well." With a laugh Rin turned to nod at Bon, "Especially you Bon. A few times I thought you were going to blow a fuse and start yelling."

A small smile crept onto Yukio's face, "We raised him slightly better than that...at least to the point where he doesn't explode at every minor affront."

Bon glared at them as Shima, Miwa, and Rin had a good laugh at his expense. He stood up at glared at Rin, "Show us where we have to go so we can eat and leave."

"Really Bon? No manners." Shima shook his head in mock shame as he got up.

Rolling his eyes Rin got up and waved beckoned with the hand. They followed as he led them through the doors he had entered through at the beginning of the meeting. Stopping at a room done the hall he slid the door open and walked in. The room had a low round table surrounded by cushions and facing a open shogi screen that revealed the beautiful garden. Gesturing for them to sit down Rin slid the shogi screen shut with a small frown. Yukio noticed but, before he could mention anything Rin turned and smiled at them brightly, "So...you guys ready to eat?"

ooOoo

Shura hopped angrily into her car, muttering about technology. She really couldn't understand why they were being so formal, rather than just calling this Suguro dude she had to drive all the way to Kyoto to give him a fucking envelope. As she sped down the highway her thoughts drifted to the conversation she had with Rin-sama earlier.

ooo

Rin walked into the room looking beautiful, he always did. He moved delicately but with a cat like grace that gave him a slight...edge. Smiling wickedly at them he sat down, "I'm so glad I choose Ginta to play me, he'll make them so nervous."

Raising an eyebrow Shura taunted him, "I thought we were playing nice with them?" Sighing she tilted her head back, "Why all the smoke and mirrors, they're going to know it's you eventually."

Rin smirked, "It's never bad to have an advantage."

She picked up a pearl decorated comb and a white marble pin with a bell, trying to decide which one would be better for Rin to wear. Beckoning for Rin to come over she slipped the pin into his hair and flicked the bell to hear the delicate chime. Looking him over Shura nodded in satisfaction. His movements were always soft and subtle so the bell wouldn't be too annoying like if she wore it.

"You must make sure Suguro-sama accepts the invitation Shura." Rin's serious expression worried her. Unable to keep it to herself anymore she asked, "Why are we pushing the alliance now? Before we were disusing it and now we are focusing solely on it. Shouldn't we be focus be focusing on Mephisto?" Frustration twisted her features as she glared at Rin. She wanted him to explain his uncanny behaviour and decisions.

But rather than answering Shura's questions Rin's face went blank and he turned to look out the window. "A means to an end." was all he mumbled several minutes later.

ooo

Shura growled the anger she felt returning full force. She had wanted to strangle Rin for some real answers but, she knew when he was quiet and pensive he was more dangerous. So she had fumed in silence and imagined several ways to make him talk, knowing none of them would really work. A wave of worry rose in Shura. Rin had seemed genuinely interested in them, if things didn't work out she had no way to know how he would react. It would it be good for Rin to finally make friends his own age...for him to find people to get to know and like. Maybe...they would help him heal.

She shivered at the memory of how Rin became after his sixth birthday. Cold and unfeeling towards others... and yet unimaginable hatred was burning in him. It had scared her, only being sixteen and had never hated anyone as much as that child had hated the whole world. But she was also confused, when Rin was with Shiro he was happy, innocent, and gentle and not even an hour later she was washing blood off his hands.

It had made her sick to her stomach later when she had heard what had happened. Rin had been a bit closed off when he first came but, he became completely indifferent to those who didn't interest him. The clans had destroyed what had been left of the old Rin that they had only begun to see fragments of.

Her, Shiro, and Izumo had been the only ones he talked to afterwards and he soon began to develop a short temper and habit of acting out on his frustrations. People called him a monster and demon unable to see that he was truly just a child in so much pain and with no other way of expressing it. It made her heart ache when she thought about the Rin back then. Shiro had been the only one able to calm him down and soothe him in those moments since Rin had trusted and loved him more than anyone else in the household.

Whatever happened Shura hoped that any friendships that may develop didn't hurt Rin. She stomped on the gas pedal wishing she was already in Kyoto so she could be heading back home already.

ooOoo

Rin leaned back on his cushion and stretched out his legs as everyone finished eating. With a small smile he chuckled as he watched Shima wolf down everything that was in his reach barely leaving anything for poor Miwa who couldn't even reach anything before it was taken. Bon noticed this and hit Shima on the back of the head, making him whimper and slow down, finally giving Miwa a chance to get some more food.

"He he, I'm glad you all are enjoying my cooking." With a grin the raven clapped his hands.

"Whaaat-you made all this!" Shima's mouth hung open in shock.

Running a hand through his hair, Rin let the grin spread even more, "I prepared it a hour or so before you all came."

"That's amazing Rin!" Shiemi smiled brightly. Rin felt a bit relieved that Shiemi was speaking again, she had the most cowed by Ginta's presence. A bit of remorse made Rin say, "I would hope so! I learned how to cook because I had wanted to become a professional chef."

"Wow what a great ambition Rin! And you are so good at it too!" the sincerity and admiration in her green eyes made Rin feel an almost protective warmth for her. He really couldn't understand how someone like her was involved in the Suguro business. His head tilted slightly to the left as he studied her, "What are you all interested in?"

"Um, I love plants. I know all their names and affects!" Shiemi beamed with pride.

"I would like to be a veterinarian." Miwa said with a small smile.

"Ugh I don't really know yet but, Bon's going into business." Shima was somehow able to say this with his mouth stuffed with food.

Bon glared at him before turning to Rin, "I'm not going into business like he means. I'm going to business school before I run my father's business operations."

Shrugging Rin nodded, "I would imagine you being very eager to take over your father's job."

Bon tensed and his eyes narrowed at Rin, "You trying to say there's something wrong with that. Your family is involved in the same kind of shit! So don't start thinking your better than me."

"Bon that's not what he meant. Stop being an arsehole." Shima looked upset as he pushed back his plate.

"The Okumura clan is not my family." He didn't yell but Rin knew the cold anger in his voice was enough to shock everyone. Rin told himself to calm down; they couldn't know what he was truly like.

"I was adopted by the clan when I was six because they thought they could find a use for me." He kept his face blank as he turned to look at the wall. "It wasn't until I turned 15 that they realized what that was."

Taking a deep breath he pouted at the awkward silence, he really was bad at keeping conversations light. With a big smile Rin turned to Yukio, "What are you interested in?"

Yukio studied him for a minute before answering. The intense stare made him feel slightly transparent, Rin wished he would answer already and take the attention away from him. Yukio pushed his glasses up, "I want to become a doctor." Rin was slightly surprised; he would have thought Yukio would be more interested in business rather than a job that required saving lives. Then again there was a lot of prestige involved with being a doctor.

Rin snickered, "Are you following daddy's expectations of you? I know parents' looove it when their kids become doctors and lawyers." Yukio sent him a glare; it was so quick Rin wondered if he had even seen it. Turning to the others he waited for them to finish eating before getting up and opening the screen to stop a maid and beckoning her inside. She gathered most of the plates before leaving.

"You guys should go now it's around 7:00 and you have to prepare for school tomorrow. Meet me by the office once you get your timetables and I'll show you guys around. We might even have some classes together!" Rin felt excited at the thought and smiled at them.

"Oh that would be great Rin! But aren't you too young to be in our classes?" Shiemi seemed happy but confused.

"Ha I skipped a grade and I'm in advance placement classes." Rin smiled at her as he gestured for them to get up. Shiemi clapped happily and got up and walked towards Rin grabbing his hand in both of hers, "I hope we have tons of classes together." Though a bit shocked about the hand holding he smiled, "I'll bring you back to your car."

"NO! I'm not moving, bring the car to me." Shima slumped lazily on the ground and grumbled, "I'm too stuffed to move."

Rin smiled, "There's a road that leads to the gardens I can direct whoever is driving down the road so all you have to do is walk out on the porch and down a little path."

"Much better." Shima smiled.

"Only if it's not too much trouble." Miwa fretted.

"None at all. Who's driving?" Rin reassured him

"That would be me." Yukio stood up and grabbed his coat.

"OK then follow me. We'll be back soon."

Rin led Yukio back into the room the meeting had taken place in and through a garden path that went around the restaurant. As they walked Rin felt uneasy, every time he remembered the glare Yukio had given him at the comment he had made he realized how much he didn't know about the people in the group. He had a whole profile on Bon but nothing about the others, he would have to fix that if he wanted to be more aware of the people he was associating with. If that glare was any indication Yukio did take offence and wasn't always polite and calm. It made him wonder what Yukio was like when he was angry and lost...control.

ooOoo

Yukio wondered what he should say. He had felt bad when Bon had made misunderstood what Rin was saying and had worried he might have hurt Rin's feelings but, when Rin had looked so angry he had been so quick to snap at Bon he had been a lot more worried for Bon's safety. Gosh if looks could kill. And when his thoughts went in that direction he had to wonder what Rin did exactly for the Okumura clan. If the clan had adopted him for a job in mind Yukio would say it was most likely seduction because really Rin was beautiful. But, if that's the case how long had he been doing it? Since he was six years old, he hoped not because that would be sick that anybody would think to use a child that way but you could never really know with the yakuza. But, all feelings of remorse and pity had been overpowered when Rin had made assumptions about him and his goals. He had really wanted to smack the smirking child and had barely been able to control his anger. If Yukio wasn't more careful he could ruin the image he had established already and that would not be good.

Yukio studied Rin as he led him to his car. He wondered if should try to save face by being polite because Rin may have seen the glare he had not been able to control. Just as he was about to say something Rin turned and looked up at him with a apologetic smile, "I'm sorry about what I said about your reasons for becoming a doctor, I'm sure you have your own reasons for wanting to become one."

A bit stunned at the sincerity in Rin's cobalt eyes it took Yukio a second to respond, "It's quite alright. I'm sure that you were not trying to offend me."

With a shy smile Rin nodded, "So what classes are you thinking of taking?"

"Advanced Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra this semester."

Rin looked at him in confusion, "Ehh? How would you know what exact classes you were taking this semester without your schedule? Shiemi told me you guys would be getting them tomorrow."

"I called the school and asked. So do we have any together?" Yukio smiled at his expression, it was a bit cute.

No, not allowed to think like that about Rin. He's an Okumura and might even be a pro at captivating people.

"Yeah actually I have Biology and Chemistry." Rin smiled at him before looking around the parking lot they had finally reached, "Which car is yours?"

"This one." Yukio led Rin to his car and let him in before walking to the driver's side and getting behind the wheel. Rin directed him to a side road that led down a forested area. They drove in a compatible silence until they reached the gate that led to the garden.

When they stopped Rin grinned and hopped out the car, "I'll send them back to you. It should take them about 3 minutes." With a small wave Rin laughed, "See you at school tomorrow."

Yukio watched him walk away with mixed feelings. The more he learned about Rin the more it became evident that he knew nothing about him. Perhaps he should profile more than just the new Okumura clan leader... just so they have more information for the clan. Yeah...the clan.

ooOoo

Shura hissed in irritation as somebody finally came to get her. Flipping her hair she glared at him as she rested a hand on her hip and pushed past him. Strutting into the room she glared at the old man behind the desk. He was bald and round with a wide smile and moustache. To his right stood a man with a tattoo on his face and dark hair. She knew instantly that the bald man was Suguro-sama and the other was related to that pink hair Shima boy. The genes ran strong in that family.

Glaring at them she fumed, "I cannot believe you had me waiting an hour. It took me long enough time to get here but it would seem you are determined to waste my time."

Seeing Suguro-sama was about to speak she held up a hand, "I'm going to make this short and sweet. This is an invitation directly from Okumura-dono." Shura tossed the envelope onto his desk and continued, "The clan would like to strength our bonds. Alliances are important in this time when there are so few clans with historic merit."

Walking towards his desk she sat on it and grossed her ankles, one arm supported her and she studied her nails in an almost indifferent way, "You are going to tell me that you accept the invitation. You will be at the location in the envelope at the right time and date." Shura looked into his eyes as she waited for his response.

"Are you threatening me, girl?" Suguro was smiling but, there was wariness in his eyes that Shura didn't like.

"NO" she barked out, "I just won't accept no for an answer and I'm very good at persuading people to do what I want."

"Heh how good?" Suguro reached over to stoke her hand with a lecherous grin. In disgust Shura flicked his hand away, "I persuade people by either beating them or convincing of the benefits of what I am offering."

Suguro looked serious for the first time as he asked, "And what are the benefits of accepting this invitation?"

Shura practically purred, "We'll be your powerful friends in Tokyo. And isn't it great to have friends?" Leaning forward she smirked, "The going to meeting isn't a promise of anything. At the actual meeting Okumura-sama will explain all the details and you can make any suggestions you please."

Standing up she nodded at Suguro and Shima's look alike she strutted towards the door, pausing she turned to look back at them, "I'll be seeing you at the meeting. Don't be late or you'll just piss Okumura-sama off."

Laughing she walked out. "And ya wouldn't want that, now would ya?"

Feeling relieved that she would finally be able to go home, Shura whistled as she prowled back to her car. She missed the blue eyed brat and uptight little miss perfect and she couldn't wait to start teasing them again.

Feeling a bit smug Shura wondered how Rin could even think that she wouldn't be able to do it. It hadn't even been hard; just a lot of confidence in knowing that they wouldn't be able to resist the chance to meet the ever elusive Okumura-sama. She slid into her car with ease and started the engine as she sped off.

Edited-08/21/14