Chapter 3: The Fathers of the Mafia
The car ride was unbearable since the three men inside knew their end destination was the last place they wanted to go. They were going to meet the fathers of the Hunassha; these men developed and created the mafia more than the forefathers did. Both men were stronger than belief, stranger than knowledge could comprehend, and scarier than anyone could imagine. Both men were so protected that some members of the old Hunassha refused to leave them to join Bullmus's mafia. Bullmus had tried many times to get the old members into his group, but they refused…since he had two fatal flaws…which he could not correct even if he tried.
Bullmus, Kurt, and Tobain sat in complete silence as they counted the feet before the hidden mansion. They knew each foot was important to remember just in case…an ambush would occur. These fathers were not beyond attacking their own men; since they demanded obedience, they trained their men and women in mysterious ways. Even Bullmus saw a limited training; he was not allowed to see the inner workings of the fathers' secret training.
The Hunassha were considered one of the toughest mafias in Asia, but in America the mafia had plenty of competition. But the American turf was only used to find members. The area the mafia lived was here in the dark depths of Japan. Even Russia was only used to find members, which a lucky few were found. This mafia had specific rules, regulations, and members that could only survive if they signed a contract. A contract that bound both the new member and family…as a crutch for either to murder the family if the member betrayed the mafia or as new members when the children got older. Many of the Hunassha were either born, found, or given to this mafia. Bullmus was born into it, but he never shied away from his duty. He knew that he was a mafia member from the moment he was a teenager. Bullmus never wanted a normal job, house, or wife. He desire was to keep his honor as a Hunassha mafia boss and become one of the greatest…but the fathers were hard to beat. Both men had their legendary fights and secret members. It was very hard to even take a shit without either father knowing about it. Even Bullmus had a hard time differentiating between normal and mafia members from the fathers…their trained assassins were that good. That is why all three men sat still in the car as the mansion came into view.
The dark depths of the night kept the color and shape of the mansion in utter mystery. A few candles were lit to show the newcomers the way to the door, but nothing more was shown. The newcomers saw the men from the fathers slowly shown along the driveway. Men and women dressed in black, but they stared at the car with utter dislike. Bullmus knew why…but he hated to admit to it.
Tobain slowly said after a few gulps, "why are they so scary…aren't we on the same team?"
Bullmus sighed and said, "you are extremely slow, Tobain. These men and women are not on my side…they never were."
Kurt said after a small gulp, "These men and women belong to the two greats…you remember their underground names, right?"
Tobain nodded and said, "Murder Lotus and Strike Butcher." The men and women outside the slowing car glared into the car, for they heard their bosses' names. They could not be determined who was who, but their body postures were enough to make the newcomers stiffen and silence until the car stopped in front of the house.
The door was opened by a teenager…his strawberry pink hair flowed into a long and ornate braid with huge glass beads in his hair that flowed to his right shoulder all the way down to his stomach. His face was young, but his eyes were deep strawberry pink with matured energy that a teenager could never obtain. He wore a suit of various bright colors that made him stand out more than his fellow associates. Another thing that made him stands out…his ears…they were not curled at the tip like normal people. The ear's tips went straight out like…an elf's pair of ears…with a pair of red rubies on the earlobes.
The boy smiled and said, "Welcome, I shall take you to my masters. Is there anything you require before entering the house, sirs?"
"Yeah, what is up with your ears?" Tobain asked as the boy looked slightly offended.
Bullmus snarled at Tobain, but the boy answered, "I was born like this. Anything else?"
Bullmus came out and said, "No, take us to the fathers of the Hunassha."
The boy bowed and turned to enter the dark mansion. The men followed as silence and candle light led the men to the inner guts of this mansion. The boy's footsteps could be heard like little tap shoes as well shuffling from other people could be heard.
Bullmus kept his hands close to his gun, but he did not see anything around him. He saw that both Kurt and Tobain were serious and kept their hands close to their weapons. The men kept hearing some noise then not…that unnerved them all.
The boy turned to go downstairs as noises started to come…some screams, gun fire, and silences again. The stairs clicked and creaked with each man's weight difference; they kept going down in barely enough light as they kept looking for some kind of sign or enemy. Nothing came but a loud scream stiffened all three men into battle positions. A woman's scream…she screamed a long, terrified, and echoing scream…the boy turned and said, "relax, this is what she deserves for disobeying my masters. Come, we must not be late."
They continued down into the dark, damp and noiseless again hall. The boy kept walking as the three men followed with fear and adrenaline pumping in their blood. They all knew this was not a place to be fools…Bullmus knew himself that he was scary, but he could never beat this fear in his system. He was a school bully compared to these men…they were experts on torture, fear and obedient member training. The fathers were not the called the fathers for sport or for humor…they were the best at everything possible in the mafia world.
They slowly came to a torture room…were the lights were directed to two freshly murdered people. The man and woman were cut to pieces as blood and organs dripped from their deceased bodies; they were hanging by their hair as their eyes were open in utter fear.
The rest of the room was in complete darkness as a male voice called out, "Bullmus, you have changed greatly since the last meeting. Kurt is alive…amazing."
Bullmus bowed to the voice as the boy went into the darkness to his masters. Kurt and Tobain followed in suit; the voice said, "Arise, we have a few matters to discuss before the night is through."
The men did as told as the voice continued, "you have been having difficulty with both women and new members. I am disappointed in you. The Hunassha is not a playtime gang that you can slaughter new members on a daily basis. I expected fifty new members by last month, but you only obtained four. Four? You are a disgrace…"
Bullmus kept his hand on his gun and breathed heavily. The smell of blood and his anger made him a little unstable. He hated the fact that one of the fathers was right…he was losing members faster than he could get. His touch in finding new members…was weakening.
"You have only two years left in service to us. You may—" The voice continued.
"Hold on. Bullmus is the leader of the Hunassha! You cannot—" Tobain blurted out.
A bullet nearly killed Tobain. Tobain slipped to his butt and gasped for breath as he stared towards the source in the darkness.
A new male voice said, "men who speak out of term could be killed…these people did. They felt that they could play by their own rules…how unfortunate. Killing them was a waste of their talent, but more could be found if necessary. Bullmus, who is this fellow? He is new…isn't he?"
Bullmus released his gun and said, "Tobain…and no, he has been around since I was in high school. He just never came out before."
Two fathers' breathing could be audible now as one man (the first voice) said, "I must agree with my associate; his speaking out of term is punishable by death. Why should he live?"
"He brought me three valuable members and information. His life would bring many deaths to your mafia. He needs to live, sirs." Bullmus said.
The second voice said, "What members would dare go against us?"
Bullmus stared into the darkness where he guessed the fathers sat on comfortable chairs surrounded by many members to protect them. He could faintly hear nearly twenty men around the pair including the boy that brought them here. He said, "You remember the trade we made with the rival mafia in America. We bought Justo, Lavers and Davso in that purchase."
Tobain stiffened at the name of his associates since one of them was his lover…but he stood again and kept close to Bullmus. His glasses slipped down his nose as silence engulfed the room. He started to play with his locks of brown hair as he turned to Bullmus.
Bullmus started into the darkness, but he could not see the fathers, no matter how hard he tried. He knew that the members and the fathers were talking, but how…they were only thirty feet away from the newcomers, and Bullmus tried to see at least one member. No one could be seen from the lights on the murdered, and the shadows of huge blankets kept the fathers in complete darkness from being seen.
One father finally said, "You have proven your point…that was an excellent purchase and this man shall live. But we did not call you here for arguing or to remember the nostalgic purchases we made. The time has come to discuss your retirement."
Kurt and Tobain stiffened and looked at their boss. Bullmus said, "I know…what is it you want to discuss?"
The second voice said, "Why does your mafia stare at you? Did you tell them about the retirement?"
Bullmus stared at them as he said, "I was going to…but I can continue another ten years if—"
"DO NOT EVEN GO THERE!" The second voice boomed in the room. Everyone stopped breathing as Bullmus knew who the second voice…that was Strike Butcher.
Murder Lotus sighed and said, "Calm yourself my partner, Bullmus. We have discussed this since your debut as a mafia boss. You were not supposed to be the Hunassha Mafia boss, but we had no choice. An heir had to be chosen, so we picked you. But this is not going to continue since your blunders have been too numerous for us to even fathom giving you another ten years."
Kurt and Tobain turned away as they kept silent. They both stared into the darkness and tried to remain calm. Both men were scared slightly, but both men were also pros at hiding their true potential. That is why they lived; Bullmus trusted them with his life…so he trusted them with his deepest secrets like this one…
Bullmus said, "My missions have always ended victory..." He knew that a few missions did not, but he was mostly successful in a few missions.
Both fathers laughed as their echoes roamed the huge room. They laughed for a solid three minutes as Strike Butcher said, "please spare me…you have allowed three blunders into our homeland. Also, you have missed your target for the nineteenth time. How can we not laugh?"
Bullmus snarled, "Those unfortunate accidents—"
"UNFORTUNATE? HA! You have not been a mafia boss like us. We struck fear into people's hearts and made them stay at home…while we struck in their slumber. You sit and wait for opportunities to arise. There have been fakers, abusers, and Hetzumi Taka in this country for two weeks. She was spending our money for her personal Buddha project as you sit in the darkness waiting…WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR? AN INVITATION? I expected more out of you…even Mavro was better than you in attacking your opponent." Strike Butcher said.
Bullmus clenched his fists and said, "Do not say his name in front of me…"
Murder Lotus said, "You have not shown us true loyalty to allow an actor like Settori Hyjin into this country. This actor has made a mockery of the mafia too long…I would have my men kill him in a heartbeat, but he is a loved actor…by that stupid fairy tale mafia movie. Also, Conto. Why is Conto still alive? I wanted that fucker's head years ago! Why is he still breathing and dating some editor chick from Marukawa? What have you been doing all this time?"
"Trying to see the newest mafia boss!" Bullmus growled and turned his eyes away from the darkness.
The fathers breathed for a few minutes as the newcomers waited. The silence engulfed the room again as the blood dripping from the newest victims kept spilling onto the floor. Both people were killed the same way: slow, painful, and strange markings on their bodies. Bullmus stared at the woman as her uterus hung out of her body. The man's penis and large intestine was partially…eaten. Something attacked these people…Bullmus wondered if the person or thing was still here. He turned back to the source of the fathers' breathing.
Strike Butcher snickered and said, "So you have noticed…we have some special members on my team, so these people found out the hard way what it means to piss me off. I am not called the Strike Butcher for nothing. I have killed plenty of people to be sentenced to death nine times over, but my legal immunities help. I can travel to nine countries and live comfortably near the police even…and never get captured. So, this is why my grandson will continue the bloodline and become the newest Hunassha Mafia boss in two years. His training has been secured and prepared by one of my best strikers yet…Bobbin."
Bullmus stiffened as his eyes enlarged. He only met Bobbin once, but still…that one time almost proved fatal. Bobbin was so fast, so murderous, so…amazing, the man was the devil himself some days. The man came to obtain Benedict's information at New York around last Christmas, but Benedict kept his cell phone close as Bullmus and Kurt came to help. The men came in time as Bullmus took a look at Bobbin; Bobbin was wearing a suit of dark red and his face was hid under red netting. Bobbin came slowly to the trio at first, but he came straight to Bullmus and slammed him to the ground. Kurt tried to save Bullmus, but Bobbin's men came just as fast to protect Bobbin. Bobbin grabbed a needle from his pocket and stabbed Bullmus. Bullmus instantly felt weak and watched as Bobbin grabbed the information and kicked Kurt's and Benedict's asses. Bobbin walked away and said, "You are the current Hunassha Mafia boss…adorable. I hope to see you again, so then I can kill you properly. Until then, enjoy the porcelain god…Bullmus Taka." The only thing that clued Bullmus that this was Bobbin…was his waist necklace had a bobbin as a charm. Bullmus passed out, but like Bobbin said…for a week, Bullmus lived beside the toilet and found every way possible to purge. The pain was so unbearable…Bullmus could not forget that attack even if he wanted to.
Strike Butcher snickered and said, "You remember him well, don't you? He did not even say his name for you to remember. Bobbin has been the best since he has the determination and murderous intent of a natural mafia member. It was a shame to lose him even for my grandson, but he has told me great things about him. So, what shall you do in the remainder of your term? Destroy? Murder? Actually try to stop us? You know the mafia code that our ancestors enacted centuries ago…the first code is: the fore fathers, the eldest members alive, shall pick the newest mafia boss. So, we picked you…but the fore fathers have been angered many times by your blunders. I will not account all of them, but the recent three…are enough for us to set a date for your death—"
Kurt and Tobain pointed their weapons at the darkness. Kurt had his exploding walnuts and sling-shot; Tobain had a small bottle of nitro. Both men posed to kill who ever came too close to Bullmus.
Bullmus almost felt proud, but he stared to the ground. He knew too well his blunders and his anger was too quick. Numerous warnings and letters from the fathers warned him of his deficiencies as a mafia boss. His largest one was…he allowed Conto to escape with Hetzumi. Conto was one of the best mafia member's son and forced to marry Hetzumi for that very fact. Their children would be the best Hunassha bosses…but Hetzumi asked for permission to release Conto…so she was sent to America…but as a clever Taka as she is, she found a way to escape and disappear from view for nearly nine years. Bullmus spent years chasing fakes, but he was so close at times…he missed the opportunity a month ago as well. No wonder the fathers wanted to plan his execution.
"Tell your men to calm down now. If we planned your death, you would have been in these chains than these two people. They are warnings of what could happen to your three if our last suggestion is a failure. Understand?" Murder Lotus said as Bullmus kneeled before the fathers.
Kurt and Tobain kneeled as they put their weapons away. Kurt was still angered by the fathers' words, but he kept his posture in a friendly form. Tobain kept taking deep breaths as he kept his eyes firmly to the ground.
Strike Butcher said, "My, my, my, look who is obedient? The task is a difficult one, which this cost all of your pathetic lives. Are you sure you want to risk your lives for this mission?"
"As an honor-deprived Hunassha Mafia boss, I accept whatever challenge you present me. I have proven to be a waste, but no more. I wish to redeem my name and my mafia, if I so shall…fathers, Murder Lotus and Strike Butcher." Bullmus said as silence took the room again.
Kurt whispered, "Bullmus, we are equal in the blame…Hetzumi picked her associates well. Please do not take all the blame on yourself."
Tobain nodded and whispered, "We could have been a little quicker. We could have—"
"I am the leader. The burden will always be heaviest on my shoulders…but I thank you both for coming with me today. These men scare the crap out of me." Bullmus whispered as he looked up.
The boy who led them here came forward and said, "my name is Strawberry Elixir, and I will be your scribe for the fathers. They asked for this simple but challenging request: you must find a way to see who the next mafia boss is going to be."
Bullmus grimaced and opened his mouth. Strawberry Elixir continued, "You shall use whatever means to see, observe and fight this boy. But murder is the last case scenario if you can even get into the defenses the newest mafia boss has. If you murder the boy, you and your men will never see the sunlight ever again. Also, they have promised death that would be both extremely painful and slow…" Strawberry Elixir smiled darkly as Bullmus and his men stared at the teen.
Tobain slowly pointed to the man and said, "Like…that…" His voice shook as his hand did to point out the victim.
Strawberry Elixir turned and nodded. He said, "Yes…you could be killed like that. But the fathers just wanted to show you a taste of my partner's power. He can kill much worse than this if provoked."
"Strawberry Elixir…you don't mean…one of the Faerie Court…do you?" Kurt asked as he looked all over this boy.
Strawberry Elixir bowed and said, "Yes, and my comrade did this." He pointed to both victims and snickered lightly.
Kurt paled…Bullmus gulped and looked at the teen again. So…this is one of the legendary Faerie Court members…not many live to see one so close. Strike Butcher's very secret and super killing squads…three men with powers of old…but were they all really teenagers? And were they really…magical?
Strawberry Elixir lowered his hands and continued, "Your mission begins as soon as you leave. You have three weeks to give me a plan, tentative or not, give me one. I must tell my masters what ways you wish to attack the newest mafia boss."
"That does not make sense…why do you…" Tobain began to ask, but he closed his mouth as he stared at Bullmus.
Bullmus stood as his men followed. He bowed and said, "Is that all?"
Strawberry Elixir shook his head and said, "you also follow through with three other missions: capture Conto and Hetzumi, stop Settori Hyjin by whatever means necessary, and find out more about this Mio Izumi Allens. Also, my masters have suggested killing Settori…but be sure to both make it clean and disappear quickly. Settori has three advantages to save his ass: his brother, who used to work for Mavro, well hired assassins, and killer instincts. Settori maybe an actor, but he is good…he has survived all the antics that you presented him when he dated your sister. It is amazing that Hetzumi felt that Settori set up some of their dates to be…explosive." He smirked at the end, and he continued "I shall see you soon. Be prepared to explain in full detail your plans. Good day." Strawberry Elixir bowed and went into the darkness again.
Bullmus said, "let us return home…we have work to do."
Kurt turned and walked away as Bullmus followed but stalled. Bullmus watched Tobain staring at the man's body…Tobain paled and said, "Those marks…it looked like a vampire ate the selected parts of his body! A vampire…this is just a prank…right?" Tobain stared desperately at Bullmus.
Bullmus sighed and said, "possibly…but you do not understand anything about the fathers. Strike Butcher is undefeatable as Murder Lotus is a strategic genius. It would not surprise me if they found ways to defy the odds and use magic…even black magic to make their missions completed to their terms."
Tobain gulped as they walked out. The walk seemed shorter as they reentered their familiar limo. The car turned and left the mansion behind. The men turned and saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes in the window…each man had a different reaction. Bullmus stiffened and did not breathe for a few seconds. Kurt blinked and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing things. Tobain shivered and looked at his comrades.
They all turned and sighed. The car slowly came to the road and drove the long way back to Bullmus's mansion that was nearly five hours away.
Kurt said, "So…you are not the true leader of the Hunassha…but why? Why did they choose you to be the boss if you are not the chosen one?"
Bullmus sighed and said, "By birth…I was the younger Taka in line, but the first Taka born did not want the title. So, it was given to me."
Tobain said, "but wait…you are the eldest in your family, right?"
"Yes in my family…but I have an uncle." Bullmus said as he stared at his men. Kurt looked perplexed by the idea as Tobain stared at Bullmus.
"Are you two serious? The fathers…are my real father and uncle. They are twins." Bullmus said as both Kurt and Tobain gasped in unison.
Bullmus grimaced and sighed. He said, "I will not say who is who…that could be evident by the tones of their voices, but this is why they did not show their faces. As Takas, we all look alike in a sense. But my father…he looks exactly like me as my uncle has some similarities to me. They always hide from new members that I bring to the meetings. They prefer their air of mystery and suspense around my members. They knew that I know what they look like…and know who is who. They can disguise their voices a million times, but I will always know who is who."
Kurt said, "You…wait a minute. So you are saying that Mavro…"
"Yes, Mavro is supposed to be the heir and boss of the Hunassha Mafia. But he decided to work for me…then retired after a few years of service." Bullmus growled and stared out the window. He clenched his fists and breathed harshly through his teeth. Even saying Mavro's name made him angry; he hated that cousin from the moment that Mavro betrayed him…
"But why Mavro? He was never interested in becoming boss like you…" Tobain said confused.
Kurt grimaced and said, "How do you know that?"
Tobain replied, "I was trained beside Mavro and Bullmus as teenagers. Literally, Bullmus was right that I was one of his first mafia members."
Kurt smirked at Tobain and said, "But I never knew you existed for a long time…why did you hide him, Bullmus?"
"Two reasons: he is my friend and only reason why I sometimes…stomach homosexuality. He is gay with one of the best assassins that the Hunassha Mafia ever has seen. So naturally, I would keep my best strategists hidden from the world. Even you Kurt, you could have abused your power for Tobain's knowledge. I had to trust you for a few years before I allowed you to meet my greatest weapon…this man." Bullmus said and pointed to a blushing Tobain.
Tobain gushed, "You are too much Bullmus!"
Bullmus rolled his eyes and said, "the truth is the truth…you have saved my ass a few times with your strategies. I owe you my life."
Tobain smiled and hugged Bullmus. He said, "I would do anything to protect you…besides, you are a softie in the inside! Even though, you try to look tough."
Bullmus snarled as Tobain released him. Bullmus continued, "Kurt, you are free from the missions that the fathers presented us. I want that virgin, and be sure to…keep an eye on this Mio Allens. You can handle that part, correct?"
Kurt nodded and said, "Finding a bitch and mystery kid covered, sir."
Tobain said, "So…you want me to figure out a plan to find the new mafia boss in the next three weeks?"
Bullmus nodded and said, "The last problem is Conto and Hetzumi…Conto is acting more like a middle class man, but still…I have sent people after him. His killer instincts and quick partners have destroyed all evidence that the mafia has even found. Also, Hetzumi has removed all the trackers and evidence to find her…but did your team get a picture?"
Kurt smirked and gave Bullmus a picture. Bullmus and Tobain looked at a completely changed person than the girl they used to know…Hozumi Goda had shorter hair to frame his face, stronger arms, and dressed like a man…but Bullmus could slightly see his sister in the man's face. His sister was always teased about his face looking to masculine, and the eyes…the famous Taka red eyes were still there. If Hetzumi really wanted to disappear…why keep her red eyes than changing them to neutral or darker colors?
Tobain said, "Interesting…but I bet I know why she kept her red eyes than switching them into a new color."
Bullmus kept Tobain alive for this very fact: he was smart. He did have a few idiotic moments, spoke out of term many times, but a genius…his IQ was off the charts and his chess game always beat Hetzumi's. Many times, they played over and over…Hetzumi could never win. Bullmus kept Tobain close and hidden for that very fact…Tobain could beat Hetzumi and nearly found her the few times…Tobain also suggested coming to Japan because Tanko was dying and Hetzumi was the godmother…
Tobain said, "She wanted to be found."
Bullmus sat back as Kurt blinked five times before saying, "you sound very confident…are you sure that is the reason why she did not change her eye color?"
Tobain turned to him and said, "I am extremely positive. Hetzumi was a risk taker…but also a good strategist. She would have many reasons to keep the famous Taka red eyes—"
"Wait, does every Taka have red eyes? What about Nemos?" Kurt said to Bullmus.
Bullmus sighed and said, "Nemos has my mother's side for eyes, but most Takas have red eyes…why? Have you seen the new mafia boss?" Tobain and Bullmus stared at Kurt who slowly smiled devilishly.
Kurt said, "Yes…I think I have."
A/N: Well…common! You know who exactly Strawberry Elixir is…think hard…well, here is a hint: Crimson Spell by Ayame Yamane! I will not say who yet…but if a dedicated fan of this series looks up group pictures. They will know who exactly is Strawberry Elixir is! Anyhow, Strawberry Elixir is COMPLETELY out of character…but he was SO whiney in the series. I wanted to make him a little more badass…but he will show some of his "real characteristics" later on…
So, the big thing to remember about this chapter is the yellow eyes and the victims…gruesome, I know but…the Faerie Court! I could not help myself! It sounds like Crimson Spell…right? Anyhow, I would also like to say this: I like the mafia thing a lot! These badasses will get a few chapters…but not yet. Keep this chapter in mind while the Junjou and other couples have good days…danger is in the background…waiting…and Goda…be prepared for more history and explanations for Hetzumi Taka/Hozumi Goda! Until then…thank you XD