Chap 3 : A Deal

Days passed and finally Ibaraki was released from the hospital. With his right arm in a cast, he wouldn't be able to move around freely for the next few weeks.

That time, if it wasn't for Shuten's rescue, he wouldn't be here with only a broken arm, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand on his own feet. He was grateful, but on the other hand, he was worried that Shuten had found out about Onikiri even though he hadn't told him the whole story. Shuten's ignorance about the other yakuza family, sometimes unnerving, but everyone knew once Shuten made a move, nobody could stay in his way.

Avoiding the worst scenario, he told him that Onikiri was one of the Minamoto's men that he encountered, making sure he wouldn't mess with the Doji family. He thought he could win the fight, but alas he was wrong. He said that he was the one who provoked him and he lost, so it really was his own fault to begin with.

Unable to speak the truth, he prayed that Onikiri wouldn't spill anything that could reveal his dishonesty. The real reason Onikiri moved to their school was to eliminate Shuten Doji and make sure to overthrow the Doji family. As Shuten's right hand, his friend, he obliged to protect him at any cost.

"You know, you should have told me earlier, I could just talk to him," Shuten spoke calmly, carrying Ibaraki's stuff he used during his stay in the hospital, "and could have prevented this…" he continued, gazing at Ibaraki's right arm, feeling guilty himself for his incapability to protect his best friend.

Remorsed, Ibaraki averted his gaze to his feet. A moment of silence before he was finally able to reply, "It was my own fault for underestimating him."

"That's not what I'm saying," he stated, sounding more serious than before, "I want you to tell me everything…" he paused, "I want you to rely on me." He blushed on his own words, "I'm your boss after all," he cleared his throat.

A small smile crept on Ibaraki's face, he always knew that Shuten cared for his subordinates and everyone in the family. Deep inside his heart, he believed that Shuten would be a great leader for the sake of the Doji family. He stared at his casted arm, he thought to himself that he would always protect Shuten and be there for him no matter what.

On the other side of the city, in the Minamoto family's main house, Yorimitsu, the leader of the Minamoto family could be seen holding his katana. Wiping the blade with a silk white cloth gently. "How is the situation going?" he finally asked Onikiri who sat across the room in his seiza position.

"Nothing significant at the moment, master," he replied, "but… I've found his weakness."

Yorimitsu smirked upon hearing Onikiri's report. Sheathed his katana blade inside its saya, he put it on his lap gently. "Very well," he started, "You know well how I treat my katana, don't rush things, go with the flow, but don't let yourself be washed away," with that said he raise his sheathed katana, addressing that he was handing it over to Onikiri.

His body froze for a brief second, unbelieving that Yorimitsu would give him his katana personally. Raised from his knee, Onikiri walked slowly to receive the katana. "I won't let you down, master."

On the next day, the weather didn't seem so friendly. The wind blew hard and the rain seemed to cease soon, even though it didn't rain hard, going out without an umbrella would certainly get everyone who dared to, wet in the process.

As gloomy as it could be, fortunately the day ended fast. Ibaraki was relieved that he didn't have to deal with anything frustrating on his first day after being hospitalised. Even Onikiri's presence couldn't be seen around.

His fangirls would help him any time he needed something even though he didn't ask them to do so. Ibaraki was grateful, but he was kind of bothered by them. He would frequently pray in his head for those girls to just stay away from him and give him a space only for a second. Indeed, he could use some help, but it didn't mean he had become a big baby who needed extra care.

On the other hand, Shuten glared at his fangirls anytime he got the chance to. Pissed by their actions, he was the one who should take care of him. Frustrated all day long, when the class finally ended, grumpily he marched to Ibaraki's seat, "Let's go home!"

Ibaraki blinked, confused by Shuten's grumpiness. "Err, I need to return this book to Seimei sensei though, I was supposed to turn in it two days ago," he explained, "You don't have to wait for me, I'll catch up as soon as I'm done," he continued, knowing Shuten was in bad mood and didn't want to piss him off further.

"Fine, you better hurry," growled, Shuten threw his school bag over his right shoulder while heading for the classroom door.

Hurriedly, Ibaraki packed up his stuff and headed for the teacher's room. Before he could leave the classroom, Onikiri suddenly stood in front of the door. Grinning madly, he entered the class.

Ibaraki was shocked, but tried to hide it. Encouraging himself, he walked fast past Onikiri. "Sorry about your arm," he started. Ibaraki stopped on his track, once again was shocked at Onikiri's words of apology. Realising that Ibaraki wouldn't say a word about it, he continued, "I didn't expect that your arm would break so easily."

Trying to contain his rage, he sighed, "You know I'm in no condition to fight you right now."

"I know," spun his body slowly, he approached where Ibaraki stood not so far behind him, "Maybe a small talk will do?"

Ibaraki furrowed his eyebrows, he couldn't read what was in Onikiri's mind. "There's nothing to talk about," he dared himself to reply.

"Hmm… I'm not sure, maybe we can make a deal rather than fight each other…" he stepped closer, even his breath could be felt against Ibaraki's face.

Unsure about what to say, he asked, "What kind of deal?"

"Let's talk!" Onikiri whispered calmly.

Suspicious over Onikiri's proposal, he agreed to come along, "I need to return this first, I'll come with you when I'm done."

Forgetting about Shuten, Ibaraki allowed himself to be led by Onikiri. No words exchanged during their journey. At least after a ten minute walk, they arrived at a nine story apartment building. Onikiri led the way towards his place, they approached the elevator and hit the ninth floor button. Once they stepped off the elevator, he addressed Ibaraki to keep following him and entered the only room on that floor, apparently the largest apartment room in the building.

"You live quite a fancy life," Ibaraki stated cynically.

"You think?" Onikiri smirked, "Take a seat, this will take sometimes."

Meanwhile, Shuten pacing impatiently at the corner of the school building, thirty minutes already passed since he left him, now he was stuck, waiting for Ibaraki to show up, when he spotted Seimei, he ran towards him. He asked about Ibaraki and he told him that he already left with Onikiri like twenty minutes ago.

Shocked, he ran out of the school area, leaving a puzzled Seimei behind. He put out his smartphone, smashed his fingers over the phone screen, he dealed Ibaraki's number. His heart was pounding madly, ready to burst anytime. What the hell was he thinking?! Why would he let himself be unguarded with that guy alone?! Lots of questions popped up in his head while waiting for Ibaraki to answer his call.

When finally the call was answered, "Iba, where are you?!" he tried to hide his anxious tone.

"Hey, Shuten!" Onikiri's calm voice could be heard on the other end of the phone.

TBC