Warning: Minor YAOI smut!
"Ne, Yamato…"
"Mmm, Ren?"
"Umm… Do you want to go with me to the Oedo house this weekend?"
Yamato was startled to say the least. Even though they had been together for 5 years, Ren had never invited him to any of the the Oedo family events. He kept telling himself that Ren must have a good reason for not doing so, but sometimes he wondered deep inside if Ren was ashamed of him. After all, he couldn't fight as well as they could. Ren kept his katana and tantō in the spare closet upstairs, and Yamato still shuddered every time he caught sight of them. They were so deadly, so ominous.
Ren took his silence as reluctance. "Uh, don't worry about it. I was just…"
"Yes." Yamato said.
"Huh?" Ren was confused.
"Yes, I'll go. If you want me there, that is." Yamato replied.
"Of course I want you there! I've been dying to introduce you to my family. But, are you sure you don't mind the danger and the Yakuza factor and all? I mean, I'll be with you the whole time, of course, but there's always some degree of danger…"
"Oh Ren…" Yamato sighed. "Is that why you've never invited me before this?"
"Yeah." Ren said guiltily. "I… I'm proud to have a Yakuza family, but sometimes I wish that I had a safer family, and a safer place that I can bring you home to. I'm not sorry for having them as my family, because that's the best thing that happened to me; but I'm sorry that the Oedo house is not a proper refuge for you to turn to. I promise you though Yamato, no one will dare lay a hand or raise their voice at you—"
Ren rambling was forcefully cut off with a kiss.
Yamato pulled back and looked at him sternly. "Why didn't you just ask me, Ren? After all these years, I was beginning to think that you are ashamed of me or something…"
"No, I would never!" Ren breathed. "I'm sorry, Yamato… I've never meant to make you feel this way. I just didn't want to pressure you into an uncomfortable position."
"Is that why you've never told me about your time in the Yakuza as well?" Yamato asked. He was curious about Ren's life in the Yakuza, but Ren always seemed reluctant to say anything; so after a while he stopped pushing.
Ren scooted further away from Yamato. "It's not, but I can tell you; if you really want to know." He said sadly. "I just don't know if you'll still look at me the same way afterwards."
Yamato could see the anguish in Ren's eyes. Obviously it was something he didn't want to talk about. "I want to know, Ren. It's not right that there is a whole part of your life that I don't know about. And a very important part too, from the looks of it." He could sense it. Every time before an Oedo family gathering, Ren would be high-spirited and cheerful, full of uncontained excitement. And every time he came back afterwards, there would be a contented look in his eyes. Once in a while though, he would just sit and stare at the doors of the spare closet wistfully.
Yamato did not bridge the gap that Ren deliberately created, but he reached out his hand to capture Ren's hand. "I made Kura and Ryu tell me about what happened that night you rescued Ichi, I hope you don't mind."
Ren grunted noncommittally. That was child's play compared to the rest of his experience.
Yamato tried to switch tactics. "You know, what a coincidence; I amputate people's limbs all the time in the hospital too!" He joked. "We must compare experiences. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from one another."
Ren rolled his eyes, but there was a faint trace of amusement playing on the corner of his lips.
"Now, I haven't euthanized anyone yet, but I know of doctors who have. All shush shush, of course." Yamato said, trying to ease into the conversation.
"Euthanasia and murder isn't the same, Yamato." Ren said softly.
Yamato waved his hand dismissively. "Mere technicalities. Basically you make a heart stop beating. Sounds the same to me." Not that he believed it, of course. But he knew he had to make Ren talk somehow.
Brief amusement flitted across Ren's face. "Aniki once told me that 'you'll sound more convincing if you actually believe what you're saying'. I guess he's right, huh." He looked at Yamato meaningfully.
Yamato smiled guiltily at being caught. "I just…"
"17." Ren interrupted, so quietly that Yamato almost missed it.
"Wha—Oh." Yamato jolted in realization. 17 was not a small number, considering that Ren only stayed in the Yakuza officially for 3 months. Unofficially though, it was close to 4 years. So maybe that's why. "How?"
Ren looked at him disbelievingly, but realised that Yamato was serious. "Tantō. Katana. Shotgun. Bare-handed. You name it." He moved to pull his hands away, but Yamato held it tight.
"These hands have killed, Yamato. They have shed blood, crushed larynxes, cracked skulls and broke bones. And they can easily do the same to you too. You can't tell me that you're not disturbed."
Yamato smoothened out Ren hands and intertwined their fingers together. "They can, but they won't. And you forgot that these hands had also carried me when I was hurt, comforted me when I was sad and fed me when I was sick." A small voice inside his head added cheekily, 'not to mention the sinful things they do in bed…'
Ren smirked at the slight blush on Yamato's face. He knew exactly what Yamato was thinking. He pulled his boyfriend onto his lap. "Yamato, you're not supposed to distract me during such a serious conversation."
Yamato smiled happily at his new sitting position. This was more like it. "I didn't. It's your fault for trying to read my mind."
"Mm-hmm. Maybe we should take a break from the serious stuff."
"Oh no we won't." Yamato grinned evilly. "Now that I've got leverage," He wiggled his bum slightly to prove his point, eliciting a groan. "I'm going to go straight into the interrogation."
"Really, Yamato? Using sex as leverage? What happened to that stoic schoolboy I once knew?" Somehow, over the years, they have grown more and more demonstrative of their emotions. They almost never used that silent-speak anymore. Okay, maybe just occasionally. To send dirty thoughts to each other in public. That was always fun.
Yamato gave him a sharp pinch. "He grew up. Now, behave."
"Yes, sir."
"Now, before we continue, are there any other crimes that you want to confess to?"
"Let me see… Assault. Battery. Possession and use of unregistered firearms and prohibited weapons. Bribery. Threatening an official. Illegal gambling. Money laundering. Tax evasion. That's all, I think. At least the prominent ones."
"Mmm. Impressive rap sheet. So, tell me about the 17 people."
"Not much to say about them." He pointed out. "They're dead."
Yamato grinded against Ren, hard. "Don't be a smartass."
"God, Yamato, do you even realise how wrong this is? You're making me talk about people I've killed in cold blood while I'm incredibly aroused."
Yamato, indeed, had not realized the implications of his actions. But he was making a lot more progress than any amount of coaxing in the past 5 years, so he had no intention of giving up now. "Hush, no one will know anyway. So, stop dallying. Tell me." He gave Ren's hips a tight squeeze with his knees.
Ren was panting at the sensation. "Oh for the love of— fine, Yamato, but stop moving!" He took a deep breath, trying to forget the urgency in his lower body. "The first 5 was on the day you announced that you were leaving for America. It was an attempted assassination on me. I killed 5 of them with my tantōs, and allowed 2 to go back with a warning message. The next guy was a half-insane man who tried to attack Aniki with a crowbar. I… umm, bashed his skull with his own crowbar." He looked guilty at the admission. "That was an unnecessary death. I just lost my temper."
Yamato placed a light kiss on his hairline. "We'll talk about this later. Continue, Ren."
"The next 2 were just some random people in a gang-fight that got too close to me. You know, sort of like what Kura and Ryu saw happened to me, just that this time I reacted before they got me. I shot them. Right in the heart. I probably would have been able to get away with just injuring them, but I was erring on the side of caution after the Tarou incident. That, and Aniki was with me at that time. I wouldn't risk his safety for anything." Ren paused, remembering something. "That's another thing, Yamato. I… I'm not sure how you would feel about the true extent of my relationship with Aniki."
"Tell me." Yamato said quietly.
"I've sworn my life to him. Well, technically, I'm no longer bound after I've finished my duty as his Shatei; but that kind of oath, it sort of grows on you, you know? I've spent 4 years of my life solely devoted to him. For 4 years, his safety was the paramount concern in my life; overshadowing everything and everyone else in my life, probably even my own sister. Of course, I was lucky enough to never have to choose between them, and Aniki would never put me in that situation either; but I'm just telling you how deep the bond goes."
He took a deep breath before continuing. "As a Shatei, my life was forfeit to my Leader. And the thing was—" He stumbled noticeably. "I liked it. I liked it, Yamato. I was living a life of complete servitude, but it felt like I belonged. Maybe it was because Aniki was equally protective of me, even though he didn't have to; I don't know. And for the first time in my life, Yamato, I understood why people say that power corrupts. I had so much authority in my hands. I could have asked my men to drown themselves and they would have asked me 'which river, sir?'. Not that I miss the power, because I don't; but the exhilaration in your blood is incredible. It made me feel alive, purposeful, invincible. And when I'm standing next to Aniki on the battlefield, it's like everything is right in the world. Despite whatever the danger around us, I would feel totally at peace with myself… God, I'm not making much sense, am I?"
"I think I understand." Yamato interjected. "I've known you for a long time, Ren. When you look at me – and this is going to sound cheesy, but I think we need to get everything out in the open today – it's like I'm your lifeline. And I thank you for that, Ren; please believe me when I say that I know how much you love me. And I love you just as much and maybe even some, but I digress. The thing is, I may be your lifeline; but when you look at Shin, it's like you're looking at life itself." Yamato murmured softly into Ren's neck.
"I'm sorry, Yamato. I want to give you my all, I really do—" Ren choked.
Yamato silenced him with another kiss. "It's okay, Ren. And you have given me all that you can give, I know that. I will never make you choose between Shin and I." He broke off thoughtfully. "I guess I'll just have to learn how to be one of those good Yakuza wives, eh? Perhaps I should invite Yankumi over for tea one of these days." He grinned impishly.
"Yamato…" Ren couldn't believe the treasure he held in his hands. What could he have done to deserve such a perfect, understanding boyfriend?
Yamato was still running the idea in his head. "Hmm. What do think they will call me? They can't call me Nee-san, can they? What do you think, Ren?"
"I love you."
"Eh?" Yamato stared at his boyfriend blankly, as if not daring to believe his ears.
"I said; I love you, Yamato." Ren repeated.
"Five years I've waited for you to say that aloud, and that was all it took? If I have known earlier, I would have marched you off to Kurogawa myself! I've never even minded the whole Yakuza thing in the first place! You know, this is almost worth getting called Nee-san…"
"No one is calling you Nee-san as long as I'm around!" Ren growled, the Kuroda White Tiger side of him resurfacing briefly. Yamato felt his heart rate sped up. "But really, Yamato, all you had to do was ask…"
"Of course I'm not going to ask! And to think I've said it so many years ago… Oh dammit, Ren, you're making me sound more and more like an insecure housewife!"
Ren chuckled and threaded his fingers through Yamato's messy hair. "I wouldn't dare. Not when I have a smart, intelligent, sexy boyfriend who's very capable with a scalpel and a syringe and all kinds of nasty drugs… Hey, by the way, do you think a scalpel will be sharper than a tantō?"
"Kazama-san, you will NOT be going around throwing scalpels at unsuspecting strangers! The last thing I need is for the police to suspect a psychotic surgeon running around and murdering people!"
"Alright, alright, I'll leave your scalpels alone." Ren nibbled on Yamato's collarbone. "Are we done talking, Ogata-sensei? Because I'm practically dying here." He grabbed Yamato's hips and pressed him closer to himself.
Yamato purred and shifted himself on Ren's lap. "Oh, we are far from done, Kazama-san. But since you've been such a good boy, I guess we can take a break."
An extremely sated Yamato propped himself up on one elbow to look at his boyfriend. "Ah. A love confession and two consecutive orgasms. I can get use to this." He declared contentedly.
Ren snorted. "God spare me from doctors and their medically-appropriate terminology."
"Ah," Yamato edged closer. "The Yakuza boss prefers it when his whore talks dirty, I see? What would you like me to say, Kuroda-sama? Do you want me to say that I'm a filthy, cum-loving, coc—" This time, it was his turn to be silenced with a kiss.
"I want my best friend, Ogata Yamato. Have you seen him lately? He's the most amazing person I've ever met. He's the kind of best friend who would face a group of bullies alone to protect me, who would sleep by my hospital bed for a month, who would swim across the Pacific for me and who would support me no matter if I join the Yakuza or sell my soul to the devil himself."
Yamato smiled. "He never left, Ren." He stroked Ren's cheek gently.
Ren pulled him into an embrace. "Then that's all I'll ever need."
The dinner with the Oedo family was lovely, although Yamato had a strange feeling that the four henchmen were tipping on their toes around him. When he refused Kuroda's offer of saké, Ren promptly said something along the lines of – 'of course Yamato doesn't have to have saké if he doesn't want to' coupled with a significant look; to which there were four almost inaudible murmurs of 'yes, sir' and two amused chuckles from Kuroda and Shin.
They were celebrating Shin's fake birthday that day. And yes, apparently Shin had both a real birthday and a fake birthday. Yamato supposed that the Oedo family just wanted a reason to celebrate. The hotpot was absolutely delicious. Trying to be polite, Yamato complimented Yankumi on her cooking skills; but was met with loud snorts from Shin and Ren, followed by Yankumi trying to elbow them in the sides and both of them dodging out of the way right on time. Yamato watched all of them fondly. They were truly like a family. He would never dream of taking that away from Ren.
The warm atmosphere, however, came to an abrupt end with a henchmen running through the door.
"Attack. Approaching from market square." The man panted breathlessly. "Morimoto clan. About 100 strong."
