Servants Of The Underworld

Mika changed into a brand-new black suit. The handwoven rose patterns glistened under the fluorescent lights hanging overhead. She tucked a tanto blade in the back of her skirt, and a snub nose revolver in her blazer pocket. Standing before her was Kazuya, already geared up for the upcoming mission. Mika's eyelids felt heavier than stone, yet her conviction drove her to step in line behind Kazuya, heading for a black Lexus parked in front of the apartment complex.

Mika sat in the passenger seat of the luxury sports car, leaning her head against the tinted glass window as Kazuya drove. She noticed his grip around the steering wheel wasn't what it used to be, having lost two fingers just minutes before their departure. In her mind, she wondered about their destination, but she remained silent, not caring about anything beyond her promise to Nozomi.

The two arrived at a warehouse in the outskirts of Tokyo. Kazuya stepped out of the car, watching as Mika followed closely behind.

"You ready, kid?"
Kazuya pulled a box of aged, Cuban cigars from the backseat, holding them close to his side as he approached the rundown doors of the warehouse.

"I would appreciate knowing what we're dealing with once we're inside, Kazuya."
Mika's hand instinctively hovered over her blazer pocket, to which Kazuya forced her arm down.

"Idiot. It's just a friendly meeting with the Naraku-gumi. If you reach for your weapon, they'll slice you like ham."
He used his foot to prop the door open, letting Mika enter before him.

"The... Naraku-gumi? I haven't heard of them before."
Mika's eyes darted around the room, noticing the many shards of glass and broken wooden pallets surrounding the center of the floor.

Kazuya closed the door behind him, clutching the cigar box with his three remaining fingers.
"They're not exactly the most notorious yakuza in town, but their strength lies in their numbers."

"Numbers? There's nobody here."
Mika looked around the vacant space, her eyes trailing the shadows for bodies.

Kazuya let out a bitter chuckle, pointing to the numerous sets of eyes, peeking out from the shadows.
"You just haven't noticed them yet, puppy. They've been watching since we arrived."

Mika adjusted her vision, letting out an audible gulp as more and more eyes appeared from the corners of the room. She remembered Kazuya's wise words, and decided against reaching for her gun.
"Kazuya... why did only the two of us come to such a place?"

"Because, it's just a friendly meeting. I've got some business to attend on behalf of Charlotte. Just keep your head down and your ears peeled."
Kazuya began walking, stepping over broken beer bottles and dried bloodstains. He stopped just short of a hand-carved wooden door at the end of the hallway; the patterns resembled various Japanese yokai in the midst of a beautiful hellscape.

The door creaked open with an eerie sound. Kazuya stepped inside, making eye contact with a peculiar looking man. The individual had tattoos covering the entirety of his neck and arms, a few tribal designs beneath his eyes against his upper cheekbones. He wore a relaxed grin on his face, smiling politely as Kazuya took a seat on the leather, loveseat style sofa across from him.

"I was expecting Charlotte... but I suppose you will suffice, Kazuya."
The man smiled from ear to ear, revealing the diamond grill covering his teeth.

"I'm aware, Daisuke. Please, take these cigars as an apology."
Kazuya slid the box of Cuban cigars across the man's desktop, complemented by a solid gold cigar cutter on top.

The man, known as Yamamoto Daisuke, opened the box to inspect his new gift. He brought the tip of the cigar to his nose, inhaling the scent deeply as he let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"Can't go wrong with a Cuban. Your apology is accepted. Now, before we get down to business, let's address the elephant in the room, shall we?"
His gaze immediately landed on Mika.

It took everything she had to remain still. She desperately wanted to reach for her gun in the tense moment, but she was paralyzed by fear. Yamamoto Daisuke had the aura of a serial killer- calm and collected, hiding a ruthless lust for violence beneath his handsome smile.

"This is just my new assistant. She can be trusted; I vouch for her with my life."
Kazuya didn't bother hiding his fresh injuries, knowing that Daisuke was clever enough to read body language, even if he had tried. Naturally, Daisuke's gaze flickered to Kazuya's missing fingers.

"Why should I trust a man who lost his fingers? You know what that means in our line of work, correct?"
Daisuke's eyes narrowed almost seductively. He was a sucker for good gossip.

"Indeed... I performed yubitsume. I made a grave error the other day, and I allowed my new assistant to determine how many fingers my mistake was worth."
Kazuya's face remained patient.

Daisuke narrowed his eyes as he smiled, giving in to his sinister nature the longer the conversation lasted.
"I love an honest man. You're such a loyal member of the Bara-gumi, Kazuya. I wish I had you under my belt here in the Naraku-gumi; we could rule all of Tokyo with your skills alone."

"I'm flattered, Daisuke. But, I'm a loyal servant to Charlotte. I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer."
Kazuya raised his own cigar cutter toward Daisuke, motioning to prepare and light the intimidating boss's gift, simply out of respect. He chopped just the tip of the cigar, bringing a match to the edge as Daisuke puffed.

"Now that you've buttered me up with kind words and gifts, let's talk business. I'm sure you know, but your men are in my territory again. I'm sure Charlotte filled you in. However, I'm willing to turn a blind eye if it doesn't happen again; I'm a reasonable man."
Daisuke blew a perfect ring of smoke toward Mika, landing gently against her face. She let out a quiet cough, waving the air around her.

"Yes, of course. It was our mistake, Daisuke. Our lackeys don't seem to understand how we function in the Bara-gumi. I'll be sure to give them a thorough scolding. In return, I expect your men to be patient. I'm sure none of us want any more bloodshed in the near future."
Kazuya extended his three-fingered hand for a handshake.

Daisuke frowned, quickly placing the barrel of his gun against Kazuya's forehead. Mika retaliated, quickly drawing her own revolver and aiming it directly between Daisuke's eyes.
"Are you seriously suggesting my men sit idly by, with their dicks in their hands? It was your crew that made the first mistake, and I won't have my men hold back if their lives are in danger."
Daisuke ignored Mika, almost as if her presence posed no threat to him.

Mika shouted from her position next to Kazuya, her eyes locked directly onto Daisuke's.
"Kazuya, do I smoke him?!"

"Lower your gun, you stupid mutt! This is between Daisuke and I!"
Kazuya's eyes flashed with fear, knowing that Mika had made a grave mistake in front of his ultimate rival.

"I'm willing to let you live if your subordinate puts her piece away, Kazuya. It seems your puppy hasn't been trained properly."
Daisuke's eyes narrowed with deadly precision. He watched as Mika lowered her gun to her side, and he could see confusion written all over her face.

"Forgive her, Daisuke. Let's forget this ever happened. If my men are in your territory again, they're fair game. How does that sound?"
Kazuya gave Daisuke an uncomfortable grin as a bead of sweat rolled down his brow.

Daisuke smiled, gently. He holstered his pistol and shook Kazuya's hand.
"What a lovely deal. I'm glad you see things my way, Kazuya-chan. Now, get the hell out of my sight."

Mika followed closely behind Kazuya as they exited the warehouse. Her fists shook by her sides, and she trembled with unspilled rage.
"How can you let him walk all over you, Kazuya?!"

Kazuya turned around with lightning speed, slapping Mika across the face. She let out a high-pitched yelp, stumbling to the ground as her head spun. She clutched her bruised face, staring dumbfounded as Kazuya dragged her into the car.
"If you ever pull some shit like that again, I'll slit your throat. You might know all about surviving on the street, but you don't understand a thing about yakuza work."

Mika slumped into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt while remaining silent. Kazuya was right; she had no experience when it came to mafia business, and her mistake almost got Kazuya in trouble.

Inside the Naraku-gumi headquarters, Yamamoto Daisuke motioned for his subordinate to come forth. He whispered a simple message into his ear
"Eliminate the pink haired girl. She's nothing but a nuisance."