"As polite as ever. I missed that about you." The familiar deep female voice brings memories back into my head. The training she gave was... necessary. It helped, while she was a stern teacher. She taught me how to be discreet and how to intimidate through words and with violence if necessary.
"To be fair, you gave me every reason to be polite."
"Is that fear I hear in your voice?"
"Respect would be the favorable terminology... and a bit of fear as well." I hear her chuckle as well as a flick of a lighter in the receiver.
"I appreciate the candor, but I feel that this isn't a social call."
"It's not. I... need something. I have gotten a vehicle."
"Ohh? Aren't you still too young? What would your sister say?"
"I'd... rather not think about that right now."
"I remember now your lack of jokes too. A shame. But what kind of vehicle is it?"
"A motorcycle, more specifically a 1973 850 MK2A Norton Commando." I can hear a creak in her chair, I think she's leaning forward. However her response is will confirm it.
"How on earth did you acquire that? Oh... Oh~ I remember... you were wanting to do your... what was it you said? Crusade." I can hear the light mock in her voice.
"A man gave it to me for saving him. Me and some... associates."
"Associates? I thought you were wanting to do this alone."
"That was the intent. Some others have been doing this for a while. Before I got there. We saw our alliance to be... beneficial."
"You took my lessons in war well. Do they condone your... violent methods?"
"They haven't seen much of it. I do that on the side when I'm alone. They at times pop up. Just depends on the said individuals. There are a lot of... quizzical enemies roaming Tokyo."
"Wait... if I have seen some of the news. Are you working with those, ah what the hell did they call themselves, Sailor girls?" I hold my response for a moment, having a feeling she would potentially laugh. Then again, why the hell would I care?
"Sailor Senshi. Senshi meaning soldiers." I then hear some laughing. I groan in my head, sitting down.
"I see. You work with girls at least your age. But these girls are not soldiers. You and I both know that, don't you?"
"Not my choice for their group name, but I see what you are saying. You called me once naive when I swore never to kill. They are... extremely forgiving. Trying to convince them to be good." I hear her chuckle against her cigar.
"That and they make a light show entrance every time they present themselves. Announcing themselves to the enemy." I hear her start laughing out loud.
"But... I'll admit that some of these senshi. Two of them anyway, that kill their enemies." That calms her down from laughing any further.
"Sounds like my kind of girls. Maybe I could hire them."
"Doubtful. While they are morally ambiguous with the end result. They seem to fight like they think they are heroes. I don't think they are like mercenaries."
"A shame. But I digress. You want interchangeable plates, done. I'll get it sent." That seems easy... too easy.
"What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. At the current moment." And there it is. I can imagine the smile she has across her face with that cigar in her mouth.
"Can't I just pay for it? No offense but I'd rather do any potentially harmful favors. Unless if it's a villain."
"Actually, it is a villain." I cock a brow to her response.
"In your eyes or to the world?"
"Does it matter?" I can hear the coyness in her voice.
"Depending on what this person has done I suppose not."
"Good. Now nothing's happening at the current moment which is why I wanna hold our... payment, until they are found again. Once I do, I'll cash in the favor." I once again, sigh internally to myself before I respond. If your wondering why, reader, I am having to sigh in my own head is because Balalaika is very... intimidating. Not only that, but a stickler for respect. If it seems like I am backing out already. She remembers and makes sure her enemies do too.
If you couldn't tell, she's a Russian mob boss, operating in a place called Roanapur. Imagine if you will, a place that is metaphorically and literally a powder keg for crime. The reason I ever went there was to understand crime in of itself. While I did engage in said crimes, in order to understand it. To study it. I was never really one.
Balalaikas people caught on that. Believed me to be with the police. But when I mentioned my last name to her when they brought me to her. She let me go and even took me under her wing. I had learned from her the nature of criminals. Why they do it, what brings someone to be become one and even how they do it as efficiently as they do now.
She also taught me how to interrogate, torture, and the ways of Russian CQC in order to survive there. That, and because I asked for her to. I would have paid top dollar, but because she said she knew my mother, she taught me with no payment. Even her own men were shocked. But they quickly fell in line and took me in as truly one of their brothers. I made good friends and lost some of them.
I was indeed a child soldier, but one willing to follow through with my goal. To become something more than just a man. To do it by following my ideals and if no one could stop me. Then I would become something entirely. A legend. Not one for fame and glory. But a staple for the world to remember. A symbol.
"I will do as you ask. Ms. Balalaika?"
"Yes?"
"I'd like to ask that I do not kill this individual. You know I swore to never kill."
"Now who said anything about killing anyone? If anything, I want you to hurt them. Remind them why they don't cross Balalaika Vladinera. Don't worry, I won't have you cross the thin red line. While foolish, I am someone who admires other who follow their word. You have without fail for me and I'm not that cruel."
"I see. If that's the case, I await your call." I then hear the phone click as I close my flip phone and sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. It does make me wonder how her and mom ever met. Truly it's... curious. Guess I'll find out one day. I hear the door bell ring off as I go to the door to find Michiru and Haruka.
"Michiru! And Haruka how good to see you both. Please come in. How have you two been?" I play my Sun persona, holding a loving smile.
"We are both very good. We were just in the neighborhood and wanted to come see you." My guess is they have been following me. They might have asked around since I wasn't exactly being... subtle when I left them in the smoke bomb. Plus to also add onto it. I was in my costume.
I see the two walking around as I go to my sister. "Well I'm glad you actually came by as I did want to ask something." This gets Michiru's attention as Haruka walks around other parts of the house.
"Well one, are you here for the cats I have and second, I was wondering if it would be possible to be enrolled in the school you are in. I haven't been in school since I left and maybe you could throw in some favors or two?"
"Oh yes! The cats, I would love to see them. For the school thing, I think I can pull some strings."
"If it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all." I hear Haruka behind me, my heart pounds as I hope she didn't find the basement. "We'd be happy to have you at school. It'll give us more time to hang out I think." I see the slight bruise to her eye.
"I'd love that honestly," I take them upstairs as I am ahead of them. "Also, are you alright Haruka? I noticed a slight bruise under your eye. Was it a tennis accident?" I hear a pause for a moment.
"Uh... training accident. I'm the captain of the Martial arts club."
"Ohhh. That's gotta be fun. Other than getting hit in the face." She gives a light laugh.
"Yeah, we got a new guy in and was a bit unexpected. He's good. But he didn't fit in."
"I'm sorry to hear. But at least it wasn't a sucker punch right?" She gives a another short laugh.
"Yeah, I guess so." I opened the door to my room as the kittens come up to my legs to rub against my shins. Mewling at me. I bring up their bowl and get them some more kibbled food.
"Oh they are precious. Which ones yours?" I look to Michiru and point at the gray one.
"That one. The one with the black smudge on her head."
"Oh she's so pretty. Hi there~" *she scratches her chin to which the cat loves. "Have you given her a name?"
"Not yet, I'm on the fence with Alfree and maybe... Neko. But that one I'm not a fan of since it literally just means cat." Michiru nods as she sees a brown cat with blue eyes.
"Ooo I haven't seen this type of cat before."
"That's a Havana brown I believe. It's a rare breed especially for the chocolate coat." I say, earning a look from the two.
"Didn't know you studied cats." Haruka goes to pet the brown one as it licks her hand in response.
"I studied a lot when I lived abroad. Went to many places as well."
"Anywhere you liked in particular?" Michiru sits on the bed, intrigued.
"Well, I went to Rome, France, Italy, Russia. But I think the place I liked the most... was Tibet and the Himalayas." Both of them look at me, brows raised.
"Tibet. My, whatever would bring you to there?" I lol at her with a shrug.
"I wanted to find... clarity I suppose. Purpose for myself. The monks there tried to help me find inner peace. It didn't happen, but I did find I guess some sense of clarity. To find what I wanted to do."
"To be a businessman?" I chuckle to Harukas words.
"Hardly. I guess with my wealth I wanted to try and... help people. To try and make sure kids don't have to experience what me and Michiru did. Losing our folks. Hit us both. Me especially. But I wanted to use my resources from moms inheritance to just help people. If that makes sense." I seem to have warmed Michirus heart as she hugs me. It catches me off guard but not unpleasantly. Makes me forget that she's Sailor Neptune for that one moment.
"I more than understand." I hug her back. At this moment. The promise I made to our parents. The Senshi. Batman. It all leaves my mind. I remember when me and Michi were kids. She and I were two peas in a pod. Only was it then ruined by that mugger and... when I left her. Alone. My heart sinks at the memory. I feel tears beginning to form but I bring it back down. I fight it. I have to be strong. Strong for her now.
She's had to bear the weight of our family name. I will be there to help her no matter what. But... what do I do with knowing about Neptune. I can't let that slide. Yet I don't do anything. Why... why does this have to be so hard...?
"That means a lot Michi. More than you know." I keep my voice strong, pushing past the hitch in my throat to make it sound like I was speaking and clearing my throat at the same time. She releases the hug after a few more moments.
"Well, I'm just glad you are safe."
"Safe? From what?" Haruka looks to me and her to assist Michiru with her screw up.
"We had heard uh... there was a beast... prowling about in the forest. Michiru remembered you lived here and wanted to be sure you were safe." Haruka looks to me and her to assist Michiru with her screw up.
"Oh. No, everything's been quiet for the most part. Been loving the scenery so far."
"Well, that's reassuring. Wouldn't want you to be attacked by any beasts at all."
"Me either, I can do some martial arts but nothing against any bears or anything. I'm not suicidal." I raise my hands up and laugh. Something I said piques Haruka's interest.
"Martial arts? I am actually captain of the martial arts club."
"Really? What do you utilize?"
"Judo."
"Oh wow. Well is your club open to other styles or Judo?" This makes Harukas brows raise. I think I might be showing my cards too much.
"You know other styles?" Gotta think of something.
"Well, yeah, I learned at Karate Am0( ) and a bit of Thai-Kuan-do if I do say so myself." I say with my chest puffed out. Making both of them chuckle. (Authors note: Bleeped out the karate name for protective reasons)
"Well, we'd be happy to have you once you get to school. I think it would be a great way for us to bond." I smile to that slightly.
"I would like that." In one way, what she says is true. In the other way, it'll give me a chance to study her full move set. It's an advantageous position I can't let slip through my fingers.
(Please leave a review and lemme know what you think! Thank you so much for reading!)