A/N: Definition of FanFic: FICTION (a non realistic story) made by a FAN (an ardent follower and admirer) of another person's work, using that person's ideas to make an original story. As such, the only thing the FAN owns is their respective original story and original characters; NOT the object(s) of their FANdom.
"Alright, now remember: this is your test. I'll get us inside, but you're the one with a job to do."
The two girls dressed down in black walked into the building and to the back of the room, where the receptionist was. The woman didn't bother to look up from her paperwork, "Can I help you?"
"We're here to see your boss," Tsutako said coldly, in a voice that Noriko had never thought her capable of, "Open the doors."
"The president is busy," The woman replied, still not looking up, "If you want to schedule an appointment, y-!"
The woman stopped talking as her papers were pushed onto the floor and Tsutako grabbed her by the collar, "I can see that you're new here, so I'll be kind enough to repeat myself this once: OPEN THE DOORS."
Nodding, the woman reached out to her desk; but instead of pushing the button on her left as she should have, Tsutako noticed her push a similar button on her right. After a moment, the doors indeed opened- with a dozen security guards pouring out of them as they closed once again. Noriko reached into her coat for her weapon, but Tsutako stopped her as the guards pulled out their own.
Dropping the receptionist, Tsutako looked at them, "We're here for Independent Inspection." After a moment, the guard nodded and they all lowered their guns as the man radioed in, "Situation is all green. Looks like the receptionist hit the button by accident."
"Damn receptionist," The reply came back, "Copy that, Situation is green." After the confirmation, the guards opened the doors and stood aside as Tsutako strolled past them, closely followed by Noriko and the head security guard.
"Alright, it's your show from here, girl." With a nod, Noriko turned to the security guard, "Where is president Aihara right now, and who is with him?"
"Ma'am, right now, president Aihara is currently in the ballroom planning a birthday for his daughter. There are three other people in the room right now. It's on the top floor, one over from the head office."
"Alright. Make sure no one enters or leaves until we are done." With a nod, the security guard left as Noriko and Tsutako entered the elevator.
As the elevator slowly ascended, Tsutako relaxed just a bit, "Really, though. Aihara is such a fool. Did he really think he could pay off the security force that The Family gave him in the first place?"
"Ah," Noriko spoke up, "That right, I almost forgot. What did Aihara do to bring judgment upon himself?"
"Sorry, I thought you already knew. Aihara was set up as president of this company by us: The Family. The Family even gave him a very gracious sum of money for him to expand the business, which he has. In exchange, 45% of the company's income goes to The Family, and we give the company our protection.
"However, recently Aihara has let his position get to his head, and he hasn't paid his dues in the last three months. The boss was nice enough to ignore the lateness at first, but when our people found out he was spending lavishly on other things... well, you get the idea. He's pretty much all but said out loud that he has no intention on paying us back for our kindness."
"I see..." Noriko went silent as the elevator came to a stop and they stepped out. Checking their weapons, the two stepped into the ballroom. Tsutako hung back by the door as she watched Noriko approach the slightly balding man and tap him on the shoulder.
"Hm? How did you get up here? I told that receptionist to..." He went silent as the jet-black gun rose to his face. Then- "GUARDS!"
The sound of gunfire rang out for two seconds. Moments afterwards the three private bodyguards Aihara had hired fell to the ground, Tsutako's silver gun smoking from the tip.
"Please, I'll give you anything you want! Is it money! Power! I'll even give you my daughter! Just spare me!" Noriko studied the man who was now begging for his life. He had been given so much by The Family, and yet he had decided to betray his benefactors- even go so far as to take up arms against them. And yet here he was, begging for his life when he found out that he had chosen the losing side. Pathetic.
And what more, he was even willing to give up his only daughter in exchange for his own safety, without hesitation. A man of no moral value whatsoever. 'Just like my parents' Noriko thought.
Perhaps that's why the thought of compassion never even flickered into her mind as she replied to the man who was now weeping at her feet, her gun pressing into his forehead. "The Family sends both our regards and our condolences. You who have dared to stand against us and have betrayed us; you shall now be judged."
BANG.
'So, that's it, then. It's over.' Noriko was surprisingly calm. Almost too calm. It was not the first time that she had killed someone. There were many times over her test period that she'd had to fight her way out of something. But this was the first time that she had ever killed someone who had not originally intended to kill her first. The first time that she had to...murder...someone.
'No, not murder,' she corrected herself inwardly, 'Judgment. This man dared to stand against The Family, a sin that cannot be ignored. And I was the one chosen to bring Judgment upon him. In order to ensure peace in The Family... In order to ensure peace in those important to me... In order to ensure peace in myself.'
Tsutako watched Noriko. She watched her eyes, her hands sidling over to her gun that was once again in her coat. Tsutako's job was to initiate the trials of the 'Younger siblings,' the new recruits for The Family, and it was her job to end them. Sometimes, if a candidate decided to quit part ways, she would have their memories surgically erased, and they could return to their normal lives... if she felt like it. Many times, however, those people simply disappeared. Less effort, much quicker.
But sometimes, the weight of the world of The Family was too much, and the candidate's heart and mind couldn't handle it. Sometimes, the candidate would go insane or into hysteria, endangering the lives of themselves and The Family. And Tsutako would kill them on the spot. Not only out of duty, but also out of compassion. It was the least she could do, for someone who had lost themselves trying to find a place to belong. She could give them eternal solace.
That's why she searched Noriko's eyes. Looking for that glint of eerie light that she had seen so many times in the past. The same light that she had forced to fade so many times in the past; as she waited for Noriko to say the words that would truly complete her test.
Slowly, Noriko returned her gun to its place in her coat before looking at the former company president, "...May you find respite in your next life." She the turned to her comrade, a questioning look in her eyes, "Is there something wrong, Tsutako-san? Did I forget to do something?"
Tsutako relaxed, and gave her a small smile. "No, you did just fine. Anyway, now I get what I need, and we get out of here. There's only about an hour left until Yumi-san comes to pick us up for the dinner party." Smiling at the thought of her friend, she took a small camera out her pocket and focused in on Aihara's body.
Click. After putting away her camera, she turned to Noriko with the same smile on her face. "Congrats, Noriko-chan! You have passed all of the trials, and have earned your place in The Family. Usually, we'd throw a small party for you tonight, but we already have a dinner party to attend. But first, I have to tell you the NUMBER ONE rule that you have to follow. If you break this rule, you will be killed. No exceptions."
Noriko was slightly confused, "I thought that you already told me the rules, Tsutako-san. Wasn't the number one rule to 'Always honor The Family'?"
Tsutako nodded, "Yes, that is the number one rule of The Family. However, because of where you'll be placed, your duty is slightly different. For you, the absolute most important thing you have to remember right now is..."
A/N Alright, so here it is, the second chapter. This time around it's considerably shorter than the previous one. I felt that I could only put so much info into this chapter, so I could bring the next few chapters into full bloom ^^
Thank you for the reviews! I've got a lot of ideas and encouragement from them. As always, tell me what you think! Any ideas, suggestions, or concerns? I want to hear them! The next chapter will be up much sooner than it took this one.