Bullet XXII

Getting shot was painful, but Ronnie was used to that ordeal after years of being in the criminal business. But to have someone, Rowan in this case, remove a bullet embedded in his body was a new and thoroughly unpleasant experience. And fucking painful.

There was no anesthesia, nothing to dull the pain, except a bottle of the strongest alcohol Rowan could get his hands on, and it wasn't working.

However, suffering this was a hundred times better than having that piece of lead between his ribs. And it was a thousand times better than going to a damn hospital in Roanapur, since there was a high probability that he would die during the procedure, or be robbed. Or both, and not exactly in that order.

Finally, with one last small, painful tug, Rowan extracted the bullet with a small pair of tweezers...which he used to remove the hairs from his nose. An unpleasant piece of information that he revealed moments before starting the improvised operation. Fortunately, the bullet had not fractured or entered that deep into his body, otherwise Rowan would not have been able to remove it.

The club owner seemed proud of his small accomplishment, looking at the bullet with a smile. "Do you want me to keep it for you as a souvenir?"

"You can stick it up your ass." -Ronnie answered, very reluctantly, in a trembling voice. However, his pride was intact. He didn't yell once.

"How's the bleeding going?" -Doctor Rowan now asked his new nurse. "Because it would be a real bitch for Jaws to die on us because I poked him too much."

"He''s okay.". -answered Luciano, the nurse in question, and the only one of his men who was able to survive. He was putting pressure on his wound to stop the bleeding. "Ronald will hold on."

Anyone would be affected after witnessing such carnage, and if they weren't, then it was another monster like Two Hands or that Japanese piece of shit. He didn't blame Luciano for hiding either. Dammit, they were up against a big guy deflecting bullets with his sword. By hiding, Luciano was the smartest of them all.

Rowan leaned over to inspect him. After a few seconds, he shrugged and straightened up. "If you say so. But once the bleeding stops a bit, we'll have to stitch up, Jaws."

"No." -Said Ronnie instantly. "You've cut me up enough, you fucking butcher."

"Wait, even if it doesn't look like it, I know how to do that kind of shit.". -insisted Rowan. "I can even make the shape of a lightning bolt."

"If you come near me with a needle, I'll shoot you."

"You didn't end up very well the last time you fired a gun, Jaws..."

"Fuck you."

Rowan shrugged again. "Whatever you say, man. But then don't come crying when that nice hole you got there gets full of maggots."

Ronnie couldn't send him to fuck himself again, because, for the second time that day, he closed his eyes and became unconscious due to pain and exhaustion.

In the private room there was only a small stage, a couch and a chair that Revy had brought in moments before. Rock was sitting in the chair, and Ginji was sitting on the stage. The two had rejected the idea of settling into the couch where Chaka had been earlier.

Rock pulled out a cigarette and lit it, he desperately needed one so he could have a one-on-one chat with Ginji. He offered him one, but the other man refused, showing him a hidden pocket in his trench coat where he had a pack of cigars, like the ones Balalaika smoked.

"You're a badass, huh?" -Said Rock. But Ginji didn't say anything, he just folded his arms. "I've never smoked one of those, are they any good?"

Again, no answer. Ginji stood with his arms folded, not moving a muscle.

"Okay, you'd better go show some sign of life, before I send someone to give you CPR."

"Is this what you wanted to chat in private for?" -Said Ginji finally, making his favorite 'look-at-my-brow' gesture. "So you could spout off witty remarks?"

"Something like that, actually, it was to keep someone from wanting to beat me up for doing that." -Rock muttered, remembering Revy's earlier reaction.

"It's not working."

Rock glanced at the stage. "I can get my dance on, if you want.". -he offered. "But I'm not very good, and my ass isn't as firm as it used to be."

"Next thing out of your mouth.". -Advised Ginji. "It better be something to do with that Russian offer, or I'll consider ripping your head off."

"You don't have your sword."

"I don't need one, I have my hands. That's why I said rip off." -Ginji replied, frowning. "Now, be serious with your words."

Rock rolled his eyes.

Okay, he was just trying to lighten the extremely gloomy atmosphere in the room. Because how the hell could you explain to a big, grumpy guy that a bunch of Russians, just as big and grumpy, led by a psycho woman wanted to kill him and all his friends? Being direct wasn't his style, but he supposed it wasn't wrong to be so from time to time.

"The Hotel Moscow has been watching you and your friends since you set foot in this city. They are aware of the problem the Washimine have with the Kousa, they also know about your group's plan to recruit more people and gain new territory here. And now, they want to kill you and all the rest of your group... Is that serious enough for you?"

Ginji looked at him with tight lips. "Okay." -He said. "Maybe you don't need to be so serious."

"So, what do you make of all that?"

"At no time did we ever intend to become a problem, or threat, to the Russian mob or any other criminal organization in this town." -Ginji replied. "At most, it was just to have an access to more common business, like selling drugs, women and things like that."

"Of course...because slaughtering entire groups of Yakuzas is an excellent way to send the 'we-are-not-a-threat' message."

"Those were just business between Yakuzas, the Gaijin had nothing to do with it."

"Unfortunately, that's not how things work here. Roanapur is tight enough as it is with criminal organizations fighting for influence and power. Did you think Balalaika, or any other crime boss in Roanapur, is going to tolerate a new gang setting up shop here and being competition for business and control of the town?". -Rock snorted. "What a crock of shit. The only thing you guys have accomplished with this 'business -between-Yakuzas', was to stir up the fucking hornet's nest."

Ginji remained silent, which Rock took the opportunity to enjoy his cigarette.

He didn't mean to scold Ginji, who in their right mind would scold a man who was able to deflect bullets with a fucking sword and who could give Revy a fight? But Rock was a little pissed off and ended up letting out a little of his frustration unintentionally.

But Ginji didn't seem to be bothered by that. "That doesn't explain why the Hotel Moscow went from wanting to eliminate us, to wanting to help us with our problem with the Kousa."

"That's simple." -Rock held up a finger. "Balalaika and his people have been idle for a season, doing little or no business of any kind. She thought offering her services to the Washimine's for a fair price would be a good way to get back into the action and generate income again."

"And what's this fair price?"

"You have problems in Japan, and you want to settle here, right? Well, Balalaika will provide you with their help to take care of the Kousa, and their support so that you can settle in Roanapur without other mafias trying to liquidate you. The fair price, would be for you to give them access to the Moscow Hotel in Japan so they can conduct business there."

"So, you're saying that the Russians want to use us, and in return, we can use them?"

"It's a little blunt when you put it that way, but yes."

"I see. In case we refuse this offer, what will happen?"

"We'll go back to the beginning.". - Rock said, throwing the remains of his cigarette on the ground and stomping on it. "So, in a nutshell, accept Miss Balalaika's offer…or die here."

When Rock and the psychopath with the sword entered the room, Gretel had planted herself firmly in the doorway to prevent the two adults in the hallway from doing something stupid that would ruin everything after they had come so far. From then on, she stood there.

"They're taking too long.". -Said Revy.

"They just came in a few minutes ago, Anego.". -Said Gretel with boredom.

Although Revy remained calm at first, gradually her patience wore thin and now she was checking the status of her weapons, which was never a good sign. "This was supposed to be a quick thing.". -insisted Revy with a growl. "What the fuck are they talking about?"

Well, Gretel had to agree with Revy on that. However, she also understood that making deals with a Yakuza boss couldn't be that simple. Especially if the face-scarred bitch was involved in such a deal. Fortunately, Revy had not yet decided to do something stupid.

As did the blond man, Chaka.

He remained surprisingly calm. He was leaning against the wall near Revy and looking at her lustfully instead of trying to cause trouble. However, Gretel didn't know whether to consider that as good or bad.

At that moment, and almost as if she had just become aware of his existence, Revy looked up at the man her brow furrowed. "What the fuck are you looking at?"

Chaka winked at him. "You, beautiful."

"Well, I think you've seen enough."

"Not at all. No man, unless he's a pussy, would ever tire of looking at you." -He smiled at her. "And how long have you been in this business?"

"Years." -It was Revy's dry reply.

Chaka deliberately ignored her curt tone and continued the conversation. "Oh, that's interesting. I've never met a gunwoman, how many people have you killed so far?"

"More than you surely."

"Really? In Japan I haven't had a chance to kill a lot of people, because of that ridiculous shit about not using guns and all that. But here, I quietly took out about 15 or 20 guys.". -Said Chaka proudly. "And I only got here today."

Revy said nothing, instead, she began checking her weapons again. She seemed to have lost what little interest she had in the man. But Chaka was not willing to let her go so easily. He stepped a little closer. "You know, I'd show you my gun, but the goddamn brat hid it and won't give it back to me."

"Your gun is a piece of shit. I've seen that thing, it should be in a museum, it kicks like a mule."

"Well, I've got another, much better and bigger gun I can show you-" -He fiddled with his belt buckle. "Surely you know what I mean."

"Listen, asshole, it's bad enough we have to be in the same place, why don't you better shut your mouth and stop breathing for a few minutes?"

"But I'd die."

"I don't see any problem with that."

Chaka laughed good-naturedly. "You're cruel and wicked... Why haven't we fucked yet, baby?"

"Because your asshole face disgusts me.". -Replied Revy mercilessly. "If you dare lay a finger on me, I'll cut it off and stick it up your ass."

"Somehow, that makes the idea even more suggestive. Should I take that as a proposition from you?"

Revy looked at him blankly for a few moments, then slowly turned her head toward Gretel. Then she raised one of her guns and placed it right on Chaka's chin. The man didn't react, just blinked a couple of times, possibly confused. "I'll kill him."

"Anego, no.". -Said Gretel, using the same disapproving tone she used on Hansel. If that worked on her psycho brother, it should also work on Revy... probably. "You can't kill him. Not now."

"Actually, I'd like that 'no' to be permanent if possible, thank you.". -Commented Chaka, seemingly unconcerned about the threat against his life, nor about having a gun to his head. "And even if they did, my body would be left lying here and my partner would see it, you know?"

"Not exactly." -Replied Gretel. "There's a dumpster around the corner from this club. And if I chop you up nice and fine, the rats will eat you easier and faster."

Her statement made Chaka wipe away his smile. "...You're a creepy brat."

"And that's because you haven't met my dear brother. Now, shut up before I decide to go conveniently blind the moment Anego's finger slips off her trigger.". -She then turned to Revy. "And you, if you kill this guy right now, you can get Boss in more trouble. And if that happens..." -Gretel paused dramatically. "He'll be mad at you."

Revy flinched, as if she had been punched in the stomach. "Ughh..."

"And then he'll get mad at me for not stopping you and scold me. And if Boss scolds me because of you, I'll kick your tits until they burst like rotten tomatoes. get it?". -Gretel folded her arms. "Because if you don't get it, I can repeat it to you even slower and in more detail."

Revy clicked her tongue and put away her weapons. Chaka let out a small sigh of relief and backed up a few steps.

"Alright, alright. I won't kill this piece of shit, but if he keeps pissing me off, I'm really going to." -She said, walking to the other end of the hallway to get away from Chaka.

Gretel nodded in satisfaction. That was as much as she could get out of Revy at this point, in fact, Gretel was surprised she hadn't blown Chaka's brains out anyway. But she didn't plan to probe further into that matter, instead concentrating on her task of guarding the entrance to the private room.

Gretel only hoped that the meeting would end soon, because she didn't know to what extent she could avoid another murder attempt by Revy.

"Is that a threat, Gaijin?"

"Threat, warning, advice. Call it what you will." -Rock shrugged. "Balalaika wanted you and your friends dead, but now we're talking about a possible alliance between the Washimine and the Hotel Moscow. So, I prefer to call this an opportunity."

Ginji scratched his forehead, irritated. "Balalaika, what kind of person is that woman, can she be trusted and trusted on her word?"

'She's all 'do-as-I-say-and-don't-give-me-excuses.'. -Rock thought bitterly. But this was no time for witty remarks. "Balalaika is that kind of person who would never make a proposal if she couldn't get an advantage or benefits out of it. So I'm sure she will hold up her end of the bargain and help them with the Kousa...but being completely honest, I don't know her well enough to say that you can trust her 100%."

"I appreciate your honesty about that.". -Ginji snorted, apparently amused by that word. "But it does nothing to help convince me to take you up on your offer, you know."

"I know and I don't blame you for that. If it weren't for the twisted relationship I share with Balalaika, I would never have approached her.". -Admitted Rock. "However, an exchange of favor for favor doesn't seem like such a bad idea to me. If I were in your shoes, I'd take him up on her offer."

Really?"

"Well, it's better than dying." -Rock shrugged again. "In any case, other than accepting, or refusing and dying, what other choice do you have, Matsuzaki-san? To run away? It's possible, but that's not going to solve your problems in Japan. Take on the Russians? Now, that's still an option, but a really terrible one."

"I am confident in my skills." -Ginji replied confidently.

Damn, it looked like the man was up for a fight... Rock didn't like the direction the conversation was going.

He wondered, and not for the first time, whether to be a criminal one had to have little common sense, or deliberately ignore danger and the consequences of one's actions. People like Ginji and Revy indicated to him that it was probably the latter. But then, he hadn't met anyone with common sense since arriving in Roanapur.

"I have no doubt about that." -Said Rock. "But, even if none of the Russians are half as skilled as Revy is... How far do you think you can get? How many Russians do you think you're capable of killing, before they kill you, and the rest of your comrades?"

Ginji said nothing.

"And in the miraculous and unlikely event that you guys managed to defeat Hotel Moscow, there are still other local mobs that want to see your group dead, like the fucking Italians. Whichever way you look at it, a fight will only lead to a bloodbath with no winner. And all for what, business and money?". -Rock frowned. "Do you really think that shit is worth dying for?"

A heavy silence fell over the room. This was the decisive moment.

If Ginji answered with a 'yes', Rock would no longer be able to do anything more about this matter and then Balalaika would go ahead with his original idea. But if that happened, then there was a possibility that Balalaika would want to use the twins as soldiers for her fucking war. And the main reason Rock decided to meddle in this matter was to avoid that in the first place.

Especially after seeing Ginji's skills in his fight against Revy.

Rock couldn't stop Balalaika, he had barely managed to convince her to give him time to negotiate... but right now, Ginji, maybe the most dangerous of all the Washimine that were right now in Roanapur, was wounded. Also, he and his partner, Chaka, were unarmed. They were vulnerable.

It was a perfect opportunity, he only had to give the order to Gretel. Maybe not even that, since Revy was also in the hallway and she had already expressed her desire to kill Ginji. If Rock asked him to, Revy would be happy to kill the psychopath with the sword.

That wouldn't prevent the gang war, or the twins from having to participate in it, but it would increase their chances of survival if Ginji got out of the game.

'Am I really going to have to kill this man?'

However, Ginji shook his head. "No, I don't think it's worth it.". -he replied. Rock perked up a bit "Although I'm not completely convinced, I find the option of turning down this offer difficult."

"So...?"

"But I can't accept it so easily either.". -Continued Ginji. "I must first inform and discuss this with my boss, privately, he is the leader of the Washimine and the one who makes the final decisions, do you get it?"

"Yes, of course." -Rock nodded. While it wasn't an affirmative answer, it wasn't a negative either, and that gave him a little hope. He stood up. "Very well, then, if there's nothing more to discuss…"

"No."

"In that case, let's get out of here. The thought of being in the same space where Chaka was for any longer than necessary gives me the creeps."

Ginji stood up as well. "On that we agree, Gaijin."

"My name is Okajima Rokuro, but you can call me Rock, you know."

"My name is Matzusaki Ginji, but you can call me Matsuzaki-san."

"...You're not cute at all."

"Don't push me."

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the door opened. Rock and psycho with the sword stepped out of the room.

The big guy slipped to the side, as grim as ever. He glanced at Revy and nodded his head. She responded by showing him her middle finger. The blond asshole started asking his partner questions, or so Revy thought, because she didn't understand a shit what he was saying, because he was speaking Japanese.

The other man just ignored him.

What Revy really noticed, however, was that Rock didn't have that stupid happy expression of his when something went well, or danger ended. He had a serious expression on his face, Rock looked like a teacher who wasn't very happy with his class. And Revy didn't like that.

Noticing her stare, Rock looked at her raising one of his eyebrows. "Did you miss me?" -He asked.

"Was I supposed to?". -Was her cruel retort.

"...You're not pretty either."

"Well?" -Gretel asked. "Is there a deal, or will the bitch with scars on her face bump these guys off?"

"Master Matsuzaki and I have come to an agreement.". -He replied, stroking the girl's head. "But before he accepts, or rejects, Miss Balalaika's offer completely, he must discuss this with his leader."

"You mean you and he were in there talking bullshit all this time?" -Revy pointed his finger at Chaka. "While I had to put up with that parasite?"

"I was in here too, you know." -Said Gretel. "It wasn't a walk in the park for me."

"Two parasites then." -Revy corrected herself, not missing a chance to tease the girl.

"Hey."

Rock let out a sigh. "This isn't as simple as you think, Matsuzaki-san seems willing to accept, but he needs permission from his boss first."

"Don't give me that shit, what was the fucking point of waiting here then? We would have gone to find his boss in the first place, instead of staying here talking to the last samurai. Waiting here was a waste of time." -Rvy complained.

It's not like she had anything else important to do, she just hated waiting.

"Okay Revy, I'll put it this way; you get a good job for the Lagoon company that can make them a lot of money, but it's dangerous...well, more dangerous than usual. How do you think Dutch would react if you took that job without asking him first what he thought about it?"

"...He'd be pissed off." -Said Revy, crossing her arms. She more or less getting the point now, but, even so, it still sounded like bullshit to her. And she didn't like him acting like a know-it-all." So what happens now, do you have to go with your new best friend to lick his boss's ass so he'll accept Sis's offer?"

"Hell, no!". -answered Rock instantly. He frowned and now looked a little annoyed. Apparently, with her choice of words, she had struck a chord with him. Excellent, just what she was looking for. "Matsuzaki-san wants to discuss privately with his boss about the offer, in the meantime, we will go with Balalaika and inform her what happened here."

"Okay, but before that, what are we going to do with fucking Jaws?"

"...Who?"

Revy pointed with his thumb to the end of the hallway, which led to the main part of the club. "Jaws, the Italian asshole over there, half dead."

"Oh, ohh, right.". -Rock scratched his head at the memory. "Gee, to tell you the truth, I'm surprised Ronnie's still alive, but that only complicates things more. Do you think he'll cause us trouble if we let him go?"

"Oh, yes. If we let him go, he'll come back with more people to finish the job. And that will just lead to another gang war."

"How can you be so sure of that?"

"I know Jaws well enough to know that he wouldn't move his ass without his boss, Verrocchio, telling him to first.". -Revy replied. "That just means Jaws came here to kill Sicko and his asshole friend on Verrocchio's orders."

"That Verrocchio guy sounds like a complicated person."

Revy smiled. "He is, he's Balalaika in a male, Italian version."

"Of course he'd be someone like that.". -Rock muttered with a fair dose of bitterness and sarcasm. He put a hand to his forehead, as if in pain. "Okay, I'll go see Ronnie then. Maybe I can fix this if I talk to him."

"It's not Jaws you need to talk to, it's Verrocchio, and you'll never get through to him.". -Said Revy. An ordinary guy like Rock could never get close to one of Roanapur's leaders. In fact, it was already unbelievable that he had been able to get so close to Balalaika and Chang without dying in the process. "And in the unlikely event that you could do that, if you came out to him with one of your stupid deals, he'd hang you by your balls and use you to decorate his office."

"She's right, Boss.". -intervened Gretel. "You've made your move, whether it went right or wrong, that will depend on your luck. Now it's time to back off and wait, not get involved in another problem."

"You don't sound like a kid at all, but I think you're both right.". -Rock complained and, much to Revy's surprise, he pouted. "I get it, I won't get any more involved than I have to."

Revy grimaced at his droopy expression. He looked like a child who had just been scolded, and that pout was damn unfair, criminal. She struggled to keep quiet. 'Goddamn it.'

"I'm not saying it's wrong what you want to do." -Revy said as he failed in his struggle. "What I'm trying to say, is that it's best to first settle everything with Sis. In fact, once your raw fish loving comrades make an alliance with her, Verrocchio won't be able to do anything anymore. He'll just have to step aside and shut up. And if that doesn't work... then there you can step in if you want to."

Gretel nudged her and looked at her disapprovingly. "Don't indulge him." -She said, her voice close to a hiss. "If you start now, you won't be able to stop later."

"I know, but I couldn't help it, I mean, look at his face.". -Responded Revy, his voice just as low. "He looks like a fucking puppy abandoned in the rain by a family who has to move and can't take him with them."

Gretel continued to speak in whispers. "That's a pretty specific description, but, even if it's accurate, you should at least make the damn effort to resist, Anego."

"What part of 'I-couldn't-help-it' didn't you understand, stupid brat?"

"Now, it's not fair for you to take it out on me just because you made a mistake."

"The only mistake here, was your birth.". -Replied Revy, pointing her finger at her.

However, the girl was unaffected by her cruel words and didn't give in either. "Your mother."

Revy was about to answer, but was interrupted by Rock. "Sorry to interrupt this entertaining fight, but can we go to Balalaika to get this horrible arc over with for good?"

"Yeah, whatever."