Chapter 1 :

Merciless nature

Note : I had to repost the story 'cuz I had so much trouble with the past version… I couldn't make any corrections to the first draft of my text… So I apologize for those who've read it the first time with all the mistakes. I hadn't noticed my correction didn't work… *Sigh*

It was the same old hallway he had walked many times before. As usual, only a dim light illuminated the way. But for any used Port Mafia's member, it wasn't difficult to navigate in this light, nor in the maze ahead.

The young man walked in silence, a shadow hovering behind him barely visible for the common eyes. His figure was emanating so much darkness it could have swollen every once of light left in this place. Anger was boiling in his veins, his teeth clenching against each other. Akutagawa was angry at himself for this yet again failed mission. He tried not to let any sign be transparent in his feature, but Rashomon was emanating from him, from his rage.

Ever since the vampire infection outbreak, the mafia has been struggling. They've lost many men in the battle. However, most importantly, the incident dealt a powerful blow to the Port mafia's trust. They were losing affiliates, losing ground, and losing more and more members. These past days, the mission kept falling one after another. Rumors said the Port mafia was getting bolder and was leading to its own downfall.

Akutagawa coughed. He needed to calm down. Things were getting tough, but he needed to become even more powerful. His eyes soon noticed a shadowy figure far ahead. The man was leaning against the wall, clearly waiting for him. For Chuuya to have come all the way for him, things were looking worse than he had thought.

Information was rolling fast in Yokohama. Akutagawa wasn't sure how much information had already reached the executives. Though, he assumed that too much had already been heard.

Akutagawa simply said after a short bow, "We failed to retrieve it."

He could feel the tension in the air tighten. He was used to it, but the overwhelming sensation was still impressive. The distance between them wasn't far anymore. Chuuya got closer without a word and grabbed Akutagawa by the collar. He pinned him against the wall. The pressure crushed part of the cement. However, the pressure was less on his neck. The executive didn't intend to kill him... not yet, at least.

Chuuya's temper had gotten worse lately, just like any other Port Mafia member.

"What do ya mean you failed to retrieve it?!" The tightness in his neck increased. "Are ya asking to get yourself killed!?"

Akutagawa kept his cool, even dismissing Rashomon. "Something isn't right about these missions lately. And you know it too, Chuuya-san."

The red-haired man wasn't having it. He grew closer to the young man.

"Whatcha trying to say? Huh!?"

Cracks began to form behind Akutagawa. He didn't dare oppose him. He let out a cough and looked away.

"We were outnumbered once more. It seemed they knew we would come; they were expecting us. Even using ability users just for it."

This time, he dared to look Chuuya straight in the eye. He wanted to make sure his words sank in. It seemed to work, as the pressure around him began to lift.

"GO." Chuuya said, loosening his grip on his collar. "I'll talk to the boss."

He looked away while saying it. Akutagawa didn't even flinch. He wanted to say something. Something was wrong with the way things were lately. The executive tossed him aside, coldly. He was just a subordinate, he had no words in this. He bowed his head and left. As Akutagawa was leaving, he couldn't rest the uneasiness building inside of him.

It was another typical day at the Armed detective agency. At 8 a.m, Kunikida began his day, following his strict schedule. The pile of files on his desk couldn't disturb his planning. At least, he tried not to be disturbed by it, or not to panic over it. He needs to keep his schedule in place or it would be too easy to lose control of it all. So, he was drinking his coffee while looking at the file, classing them by order of urgency.

In front of him, Atsushi was sweating, passing from one document to another, hesitating. They seemed all urgent to him. There was so much work to do since the vampire infection outbreak and Port mafia was adding another pile of work for them.

Kunikida tried to look pass his co-worker agitation. But it was to difficult when the young man was mumbling to himself, moving from a folder to another, seating and getting up again. He grinds his teeth. He needed to stay relaxed. If he follow his schedule things would go smoothly.

As he was starting to complete some document, he felt a presence behind him.

"Hum, Kunikida-san...?" asked Tanizaki with a shaking voice. " These just came in..." He tossed the newspaper to his colleague. "I believe you should take a look at... "

Kunikida froze. Normally, he would have already taken a look at the newspaper. It was in his everyday schedule, everyday at the same time of day. But he was derived from his schedule yet again by the same despicable person. This person was sleeping on the couch in front of him, not a care in the world. I need to stay calm. If I follow the rest of the... Kunikida began to tell himself as his eyes looked at the front page of the newspaper. His thought was cut short.

"Port mafia again..." He let out.

"They've been quite active lately..." responded Tanizaki as he watched Atsushi closing in.

The young man also took a look at the newspaper his colleague was holding. He let out a worrying sigh.

"Dazai." called Kunikida.

"Boring." answered the man, waving an uninterested arm over the couch.

There was a moment of silence in which Atsushi and Tanizaki watched the anger build in Kunikida's body. Both sweating for the future outburst of rage and dispute that was now their everyday life. To their surprise, Dazai finally got up and looked at them.

"I'm taking the day off. " he yawned before saying goodbye with one hand.

Kunikida was boiling, steam could barely be seen coming out of his body.

"There's a new edition of the Complete Suicide Guide." he added, sparkle in his eyes. "After 7 years...! Can't miss that. "

As he was finally about to close the office door behind him, he added "Have fun."

Silence was back in the office. Atsushi turned uncomfortably towards Kunikida, knowing he would burst into rage any second now. He spent the next few minutes trying to calm him down as he was spilling insults at this sorry-waste of a co-worker's bandage.

The room was plunged in half light. The long table had many empty seat. Only two executives remained in the room. At the other end of the table, the boss was sitting, legs crossed, leaning forward on his elbow. His expression was cold like a silver blade. There was heavy bag under his eyes.

The room was plunged in half-light. The long table had many empty seats. Only two executives remained in the room. At the other end of the table, the boss was seated, legs crossed, leaning forward on his elbow. His expression was cold, like a silver blade. He had a heavy dark circle under his eyes.

Chuuya finally cleared his throat and said " Akutagawa team did their best, we should give them another chan-"

"Did they, Chuuya-kun?" Mori words were severe, cutting like a blade.

"Boss, the mission was bound to fail. It was a reckless mission. They were outnumbered. The enemy clearly seemed to know they were comin-" added Chuuya.

As he glared at the other side of the table, a shiver ran down his spine. The words slipped from his mouth. Akutagawa's words. He trusted the young man. He knew he was right. The missions were getting riskier, and the Port Mafia members were exhausted. Chuuya was exhausted too. He hadn't slept much lately... But... He knew he shouldn't have said it. At least, not to Mori. Not now. Though lying was hard for the short-tempered one, even more so with the pressure and lack of sleep.

The boss was up in an instant. Chuuya was still regretting having spoken up as Mori approached in cold silence. However, he never could have predicted his action, nor did Kouyou. The executive both stood still. Only the sharp pain in Chuuya's right hand was proving to him it really did happen. Something was painfully piercing his glove, his flesh and some of the table wood. His hand was pinned to the table. One of Mori's scalpel had pierced Chuuya's hand.

" A reckless mission, hum?" responded Mori.

Chuuya was holding his breath as his boss grew closer. The man tore the scalpel from his subordinate hand without any delicacy. He looked at the blood still on his weapon before looking back to Chuuya.

"Are you doubting my judgment, Chuuya-kun?"

He then turned to Kouyou who was still looking at Chuuya's hand as blood slowly soiled the table.

"And you, Kouyou-kun?" Mori asked, daring.

Neither of them responded. They knew better to keep their mouths shut. Satisfied by their silence, the boss went back to his chair. As if nothing had happened, Chuuya and Kouyou finished their report.

Mori got up and walked to the room, an unbreakable dark window. He sighed and brang a hand to his face, in utter exasperation.

"A leader must always take matters into his own hands. '' he finally said.

"Sir, let me get this done." pleaded Chuuya. " We can't allow them to look down on the Port Mafia."

Mori turned to him, raising an eyebrow. Hands behind his back, he stared at his subordinate.

"Very well." he answered before turning back. "Know this thought, Chuuya-kun. I don't like to be disappointed twice."

The executive nodded in silence, even if his boss wasn't looking. "You have my words, sir."

"Kouyou-kun, find whoever might have opened their mouth and make sure to slip their throat please."