A RosarioVampire and Black Lagoon Crossover

Chapter 26

Tsukune looked about the city as he walked with a few associates of the Huang family. He had been asked to accompany them to a neutral meeting place, and what he saw was a small restaurant. He was about to ask why they were meeting here, but stopped when he saw Ling Ling give a slight bow at the front door. If she was paying respects then that meant that whoever was here was someone that was owed respect.

"Mr. Tao," Ling Ling said, her voice calm, "We thank you for allowing us to meet outside of your establishment. At no time will trouble find its way inside. Of that you have my solemn word."

Tsukune watched as an older man nodded, "No problem," he replied, "Your outfit is one of the better ones here, and I don't mind you having a meeting out here. Just don't like that one guy that was looking for Chang."

"We would never dream of it," she replied, "Additionally, we learned of your associate's situation, and we have offered to assist with the medical bills. We do so because we respect your establishment of a neutral place, and we also respect your stance as an honorable businessman. There is no other reason, nor do we seek any additional favors. We merely wish to aid the return of a truly neutral place to Roanapur."

With that the older man gave a nod, and Tsukune watched as he walked back inside. Ling Ling motioned toward a few tables set up around the outer walls, and those with them began to flock toward them. Tsukune moved toward Ling Ling and took a seat as well, "What's going on, really?"

There was a moment of hesitation before Ling Ling looked at him, "I was informed by one of our trusted associates that Tao's was caught up what appeared to be a questioning about the location of Mr. Chang," she stated as she sat there with them, "While I am certain that his end will find him I wanted to have a meeting with those who decided to go about the questioning in the manner they did. They disrupted a neutral meeting place, and they spurred what could be the one truly neutral business owner into potentially stopping his services."

She studied him for a moment, "Tsukune, while we are what we are, there are rules that should always be followed," she said as she studied him, "In our line of business those rules are known to all that enter it. Those who choose to break them do so at their own peril. The one that chose to break the neutrality of this place has done so at their peril. I will hear their excuse, and if it is something that can be forgiven, then it will be. If not then we will escort them away from Tao's and we will deal with them."

The answer was so matter of factly, and it wasn't the part that bothered him. He wasn't bothered by the idea that there would be some kind of situation that would end with death. Ever since he had been ripped apart by his own power he had understood that death was merely part of life. It was a part that far too many didn't completely give the proper respect to that it deserved. Because it wasn't talked about didn't mean it was any less real.

No, what bothered him was how he felt so okay with it. The realization that things had changed in him was more evident than ever. He was willing to accept death and carnage. He was willing to accept that there would be those who would suffer, and he was willing to accept that it would be their own lusts and desires that often led them to the place they had found. For all he knew there was some serious trauma that he had experienced that had changed the person he truly was.

The sound of footsteps gained his attention and he saw a woman walking near them. She was wearing a pair of cutoffs, a loose tanktop, and she had two pistols on her. He could tell that she was someone that obviously lived here, and more to the point she was coming out toward Ling Ling. The woman neared her and gave a slight nod, "I got told what was going down," she said as she neared her, "Whoever fucked with Tao's deserves to get a foot in the ass at least. Maybe more."

Ling Ling nodded, "And I am glad that you chose to come and assist," she replied as she watched the surrounding area, "Whoever had done so should be delivered shortly. I have had my contacts checking into the locals that would be bold enough to attack outside of what is considered neutral ground. They've pointed toward a few individuals, and I have sent word to all of them that we know who it was."

She smiled, "So naturally they will all come. One of them is the culprit, but we will see how long it takes them to sell one another out."

Tsukune watched as the woman smiled, "Good, let them turn on one another, and see which one isn't able to stand on their own. Course, there's a chance that the one that isn't could actually be innocent."

Ling Ling nodded, "Oh, I am well aware. So, I've had their potential alibis checked. Three of them truly were doing other things. Granted, they were doing things that could be considered dangerous even in our line of work, but they did not attempt to start anything outside of neutral ground. Only one has no real cover, and I will see if this is the one that will be honest."

Revy nodded, "If he is?"

Tsukune watched as Ling Ling shrugged, "It depends on what their reasoning is. If there is an external force that made them do this. If they were given little other choice, then a light scolding, and perhaps a broken bone. Nothing too major, and nothing requiring them to be prepared to pay with their lives," then he watched as Ling Ling's face grew serious, "However, if it is apparent that they decided to this on their own free will, and they decided to cause problems at a truly neutral place then they will be taught a painful lesson that will last the rest of their very short lives."

Tsukune watched as Revy nodded, and then he tried to figure out exactly why he was okay with this. He shouldn't be. Granted, someone that attempted to spark a war, regardless of the reason, deserved some sort of punishment. That was an absolute truth. But he was okay with the idea of this person potentially being thrown to the wolves. Again, he considered the fact that he had dealt with trauma.

The things he had gone through weren't the kind of things that were exactly normal. Even when he attended Yokai Academy he'd faced things that weren't expected from normal students. He'd more or less faced death on a daily basis. Maybe that was the reason. He felt a soothing hand, and he looked at Ling Ling who flashed him a caring smile, "Don't," she said, her voice soothing, but firm, "I know you, my Tsukune, and I know how you think. Caring for lives is natural, but there is a time when one must understand that someone has dug their own grave. Such is a time like this."

"Exactly," Revy piped up from her seat, "Look, whoever decided to ignore the neutrality of Tao's broke the one hard rule in Roanapur. Don't bring trouble where there shouldn't be trouble. Even the pickpockets leave Tao's alone. It's the one place in this whole shithole city that is mostly safe. I can bring my daughter here and not worry."

She looked past him toward the area behind him, "And for someone to mess with that is like someone decided to mess with my little girl. That means they've already found their bullet," she said as she looked past him for a bit, "They just don't realize it yet."

Tsukune finally nodded, "I see the reason for it, but that's not what's bothering me," he admitted after a moment, "I'm wondering why I'm not more bothered by this. Why I'm not more bothered by the idea that someone is going to be meeting their end. Instead I feel almost like this is another Tuesday. It's unsettling."

He looked at Ling Ling, "You feel this way because of your life," she replied, her voice still soothing, "You've faced things that have made you harder, but understand that you are still the caring person you have always been. You care for those close to you, and you protect those that hold your heart. You even do so with someone that abused that wonderful heart of yours," she stated before she stood, and he felt her hug him, "You are still my Tsukune, and you always will be."

He nodded, feeling a little better about things, although he understood that there was so much that he didn't quiet understand. Maybe it would always be like that. Maybe he would never fully understand the changes that were happening with him. A part of him argued that wasn't a terrible thing. That not knowing wasn't the end of the world.

"I guess that you have a point," he admitted before he finally took a seat near her, "So, what do we know about the people that are coming? What is their business, and how would they stand to profit from dealing with Mr. Chang? I mean I've got to guess that they have some reason to profit from him being collected, right?"

Ling Ling nodded, "Just so," she admitted, "They would profit greatly from it. Mr. Chang was the head of the Thai branch of the Triads. The fact that our branch is here is more than enough reason to worry him. Normally our family deals with various cities inside of China herself. This is the first time we've decided to leave China. We haven't completely, there is still part of our family there, and they are maintaining our presence, but we have spread out."

"It sparked a fire under Chang's boss's asses, right?" Revy asked, "I've got to think that the moment you moved they decided that Chang wasn't doing enough to prove himself. Most likely he wouldn't be doing enough even if their business was running perfectly."

"That is a fair assessment," Ling Ling stated as she studied the area around them, "In truth I believe that whoever comes into Chang's position will be hardpressed to increase their holding. Depending on how this plays out I see that branch simply disappearing from Roanapur. They will lose enough of their presence that being here will be more damaging than simply leaving. I don't see them existing here much longer."

Tsukune seemed to consider what she was saying, "So, if they leave, what does that mean, exactly?"

Ling Ling smiled, "Our own standing will increase," she replied as she studied the area, "We will become far more powerful of an organization. Especially if we are the ones to deal with Chang directly. It will prove that the Thai branch of the Hong Kong Triads have failed. They will suffer a massive amount of shame. Ultimately, they will have no choice other than to abandon the city."

He nodded, "And the rest of the gangs take up the power, right?"

Ling Ling smiled, "Exactly," she replied, "The other organizations will take up their lengths of power from the vacuum, and they will do their best to spread their influence. For us it means being able to control more of what happens in the city. Ultimately, I want to make this a place where monsters and humans can live together. It is already becoming as such, and seeing it grow more into that would be beneficial to all."

He seemed to consider the words, "Would my parents be welcomed here?"

Ling Ling studied him, "They would, but Tsukune, understand that as it is this city is a predator. It feeds on those who are not knowledgeable of how it operates. I fear that your parents could end up becoming its meal. I would rather have more of a hold in the city before inviting them."

He nodded, "That makes sense," he replied before he noticed how Revy was shaking her head, "I forget that not everyone had the same kind of parents that Rock and I did. Glad that yours is the kind of folks you want around you. Rock is pretty sure that his parents consider him dead, and if it was proven otherwise they would die of shame."

Those words made him flinch. The idea of someone dying because they had potentially endangered others due to their greed seemed to roll off of him, but this was something else. It was hard for him to wrap the idea of his parents being the same way. In truth while his parents had sometimes been thoughtless they did love him. They gave him a home that he could be proud of, and both his mother and father had supported him.

They were kind people, and he couldn't imagine them actually preferring if he was dead. He shook his head, "I'm sorry," he said, his voice reflecting the empathy he felt, "I really am. That must bother him, or likely it did bother him."

Revy smiled, "Sure," she agreed after a moment, "My Rocky-Baby used to get bothered about it, but he really doesn't anymore. He's told me that since he has me and Roxy that it's more than enough. Look, it ain't nothing to be sorry over, but if your parents care for you, then you're already winning. There's too many of us here that have suckass parents that could give exactly two shits about where we are."

She laughed, "Besides, this is enough family drama for the time being. We've got guests approaching on our six," she said as she nodded toward the direction she stated, "They'll be here in a few moments. I don't think that it's all of them."

"You would be correct," Ling Ling said as she looked in the other direction, "The others are approaching from this point. Let us prepare to greet them."

Tsukune turned and saw the two groups. All of them were dressed well, and each of them seemed to be approaching with some hesitation. He could certainly understand the way they were approaching. Most likely none of them knew that he and Ling Ling were monsters, but they did know that she was the head of the Huang Family. Additionally they knew Revy, and from what he knew of her she had a reputation that spread out quite a bit.

"Gentlemen," he said, his voice cool and far more calmer than he felt, "Please, take a seat. It is my understanding that we have a lot to discuss."

The group of about eight individuals approached the seats, and they began finding a place to sit. He watched as the group finally settled, and he could tell that they were from different walks of life. A few looked Scilian, a few others looked as if they were Vietnamese, and of course there were a few that were locals as well. Once they were seated he heard Ling Ling's chair move.

"It has come to my attention," she said from her position, "That someone believed it was a good idea to disrupt the neutral ground of Tao's. They did so by executing someone that had information on Mr. Chang. This in, and of, itself is not an offense, but the bullet that went through Tao's wall, and struck an employee inside is an offense. It has long since been observed that Tao's is neutral ground. That there will be no fighting in its walls, nor will there be any gunfire of any kind that penetrates its defenses. The bullet that struck the wall, and went through, penetrated it. So, I will ask once, and only once, who is to blame."

There were a few moments, and Tsukune watched as the groups stood, finally it was the Scilians, "We did not, but we will execute the piece of filth that did so. This is a meeting place for all of us. To disrespect it is to disrespect us."

The Vietnamese stood as well, "This is an outrage! To attack a place of neutrality is offensive! Those who did so will be tortured until they realize their mistake."

Finally a local looked at all of them, "Okay fuck no," he said, "I know we didn't do it, so one of you other bastards did. We're not getting sold down the river for your actions! Fuck all of you!"

Before he could stand a knife was hurled at him, and Tsukune watched as it hit his throat. His eyes widened, and he began gurgling as the blood itself began to spill out. He tried desperately to remove the knife, but Tsukune knew that he was already dead. This was not something that could be survived. No, he was going to pass away here, and he was going to do so either as the true one that caused this issue, or as a potential scapegoat.

He stopped moving after a moment, and the one other person that was with him all looked at everyone else. It was obvious that she understood that they had been a mere two against six other individuals. She swallowed, "We did not do this, I swear," she pleaded, "I swear, we did not do this! Please, please believe me. We did not open fire outside of Tao's. Yes, we wanted his location. The bounty is great, and we were going to wait for the one that knew to leave, get past Tao's, and then we would have attacked him."

One of the Vietnamese men moved toward her, "Lying bitch!"

He made it most of the way before he was stopped by a Scilian, "Maybe she is," the younger man said, "Maybe she is a lying little bitch, but then I've got to think that her organization isn't that strong. They sent two, and likely it was the two that had the most power. They're little more than street thieves. They would know to keep all of the fighting from out of Tao's. They would understand that we would bring down righteous fury on those who dared to destroy the neutrality of this place. So, that leaves us. There is a good reason we did not attack. I will not go into it, but know that our reason is more than satisfactory to ensure that we were not the ones. That means your group."

The young Vietnamese man didn't say a word, but instead he fired a gun, shooting the Scilian. He then looked at the rest of them, "Fuck all of you, who cares about some piece of shit little restaurant?!" he shouted, "We're here to make money and fuck bitches!"

He gasped for a moment before his hand fell. The others with him saw the bloody stump, and they turned toward Ling Ling who was standing, "Thank you for confirming my theory. This concludes our meeting. We will deal with them."

Tsukune watched as the others backed off, and he could see the fear in the eyes of those that crossed Ling Ling. He did not envy them at all.