Entanglement

Co-written by Aya Frost

Thank you for the wonderful reviews. We greatly appreciate that you take the time to read and leave your thoughts.


Daisuike called Hayate as they left the restaurant. He hadn't even got to eat yet. It could wait this was more important.

"Hayate! Wait . . . what?" Daisuike stopped walking forgetting where he was for a moment until Akira pushed him. He felt like the floor had just dropped out from under him as he listened to Hayate’s report. "Get as many guys as you need together and stop them. I have to take care of something and then I'll be there. Just be careful and keep me posted."

Daisuike shut his phone feeling sick. This was getting very complicated and he really wished Jiro was there to tell him what to do. He wasn't used to making these kind of decisions.

Ruka was already at the car and blinked seeing Akira push Daisuike. Something was wrong but they were already moving again until he saw Reiko walk over to Suke speaking. He couldn't hear what was being said and the way she was making sure that Akira and him couldn't hear bothered him.

Reiko tugged at Suke's sleeve pulling his head close to her. "Something happened didn't it. The Fudoka I'm guessing?" Seeing his face not change at all, but his eyes hardening, she nodded. "Once this is done we'll head out where we need to."

Taking his wrist she pulled him along to the car pushing him into the backseat along with Akira.

"I'll give you directions. Suke you might wanna close your eyes. Ruka, we need to get there ASAP."

Ruka grinned excited, "You got it Hime-chan."

Daisuike sent several quick text messages trying to distract himself from Ruka's driving. He needed to find out how wide spread the problem was. He was still trying to figure out how they'd known now would be a good time to strike while Jiro was gone. He shut his phone waiting for people to respond to his messages. As soon as they were done with Reiko's uncle he was going to need to go home and change clothes and get his weapons. There was no way he was letting the Fudoka have so much as one inch of their territory.

Reiko sighed as they pulled to a stop outside the office building. Her uncle was going to be irritated but she needed his help. Getting out of the car she heard the guys get out after her and she hurried inside the tall office building. Once everyone was inside the elevator she hit the floor she knew he was on and waited. She was anxious. Last time she had talked to him she had been nearly thrown in juvie for beating that bitch who had been harassing Akira in first year. Rubbing her eyes she heard the ding and stepped out seeing her uncle's secretary.

"Hey Eri. Uncle's expecting me." She smiled as she walked to the large reception desk. The woman raised an eyebrow at Reiko frowning, the expression making her already severe countenance almost scary.

"You got into another fight."

"Eh? No I didn't." Reiko pouted.

"Black eye, busted lip and the side of your face is messed up."

"Oh. That wasn't a fight. It was a struggle. There's a difference."

Eri sighed shaking her head as she reached over buzzing Ichirou. "Your niece is here."

"Send her in."

"Hai." Eir waved Reiko and the rest in, the door opening on its own.

"Wow, pretty fancy." Ruka whistled softly following them in. He instantly spotted the man behind the desk with his head bowed jotting things down in a note book. The desk was immaculate as was the office, but it felt comfortable instead of austere.

"Uncle!" Instantly the man lifted his head looking at them. Clear dark eyes looked over the small group and a soft smile graced the generous mouth.

"Reiko-chan, come come. Ah! You brought Akira-kun and- Is that Daisuike-kun? My he's grown. Takahiro wasn't joking when he said he was turning out nicely." He motioned for them to sit at the couch in front of the desk.

Daisuike frowned slightly not sure if he believed the man or not. He looked familiar, but Daisuike wasn't quite sure why at first. He glanced down at Akira who was watching him a knowing smile on his face. Akira nodded the smile widening and that was all the proof Daisuike needed. He'd never imagined he would see Ichirou again and certainly hadn't known he was Reiko's uncle. It was good to see him, but brought up some memories he'd rather leave buried.

Seeing the strange look from Daisuike, Ichirou laughed watching as they all walked over towards him. Shaking his head he reached into his drawer pulling out several different candies setting them on his desk.

Smirking he looked at Daisuike, "Have a candy." Seeing his hesitation he smirked even more, "What? Still afraid Haru will take it? I don't think after you shooting him he'll do that again. Unless he really wants it."

Reiko blinked looking at Daisuike, a giant smirk on her face.

"You shot Haru? With what?"

"A BB gun.” Ichirou interjected, “I do remember that he got quite a beating from that though and the gun taken, so I don't think he'll do it again. Ne?" Ichirou smiled gently at Daisuike.

Daisuike was shocked that Ichirou would even care to remember that. He'd completely forgotten why he'd been so upset at Haru in the first place. He didn't look up as he quickly took the candy off the desk muttering a thank you. He really didn't want to talk about what had happened. He'd never shot anything but his targets after that though.

Akira grinned up at him liking the fact that he wasn't the only one who got in trouble. He looked back at Ichirou hoping he had more stories to tell, but knowing they didn't really have the time.

"You two plus Haru and Jiro should come by sometime. I never got to see you three after you moved out from Takahiro's place." He then looked at Reiko, "Sorry but catching up will need to wait. Reiko, do me a favor and go have Eri take pictures. She knows what needs to be done."

"But I don't want-"

"Reiko."

"Hai. . ." Reiko shifted uncomfortably snagging a candy and sulking as she left room. She didn't want to take pictures. It was embarrassing enough and to have proof was worse.

Leaning back in his chair for a moment Ichirou then got a digital recorder out and set it on the desk. "Akira-kun? Why don't you tell me exactly what happened."

He pushed the candy towards Akira, smiling gently. It was hard to look at Akira and not feel guilty. He knew he had messed that boy's life up a lot. If only he had acted sooner he would've been saved a lot of trouble and pain. He was almost done though with his revenge against that woman. She'd soon be behind bars and lose everything. He'd make sure of it.

Akira looked at the candy for a moment before taking it and putting it in his pocket. "Well, Reiko and I went back to the apartment to get clothes. We both agreed that something felt off so we were trying to hurry. While we were there Jiro came home. He said Daisuike called and said it should be safe to go home since they weren't watching the apartment anymore. We were just getting ready to leave when the police broke the door in. They wouldn't even tell us why. I tried asking but the big blond guy said . . . he said he knew my record and he'd send me back to juvie if I got in the way."

Akira shifted nervously and Daisuike put a hand on his shoulder trying to keep him calm. Akira looked at him for a moment before continuing.

"I started having a panic attack and Reiko went to help me but they wouldn't let her go."

Ichirou's eyes darkened for a second as he nodded, "Anything else happen? What exactly did they do Akira? Can you remember? Did they hurt you or Jiro or Reiko?" He knew that was a stupid question but he had to hear it from Akira. The recording would show that the police had hurt Reiko but to have an eye witness account would be even better. "Who were 'they' as well Akira? Who and why was someone watching your apartment?"

Akira shook his head. "There were several police officers and a couple of other guys in suits. One of the officers tazered Reiko and when she still wouldn't stop he hit her with the butt of his gun." It upset him just thinking about it, he hadn't been able to do anything to help her or Jiro. "Jiro didn't fight them at all, but they wouldn't let him help me. I-I don't remember much about the rest of it, I was starting to black out."

Daisuike gently squeezed Akira's shoulder then let his arm drop. It was his fault Jiro had been arrested even if they had no reason to. He should have been more thorough and had his guys double check things. He'd fucked up and now other people were paying for it.

Ichirou nodded slowly turning the tape recorder off. "Thank you Akira-kun. I know it has to be hard to re-live that. With that and Reiko's account of things plus the photos of her injuries we should be able to get Jiro out easily." Hearing his phone ring he held up a hand for a moment taking the call.

Ruka shifted uncomfortably and moved to Suke's side letting his fingers rest lightly on his lower back. He could see the tension in him and he had this odd feel to him. Leaning close to his ear he whispered into it.

"Don't worry so much." Kissing his neck he kept his hand where it was but stepped a bit back.

Reiko glared as she walked through the door adjusting her clothes some. That had to be the most embarrassing thing in her life. There were bruises she hadn't even realized she had and the back of her head was throbbing again thanks to Eri pulling at her hair.

Seeing Akira looking upset she moved to his side and poked him in the ribs gently a smile on her lips. Seeing her uncle hang up she frowned seeing his frown.

"What happened?"

"They have an arrest warrant for Jiro but the problem is they still have no evidence against him. I'm going to have to go to the judge first thing in the morning and try to appeal his arrest since they haven't a single thing on him. It's unlawful. I will also present the photos and both your accounts of what happened."

"Thank you, for everything. I won't forget your help in the matter." Daisuike bowed and immediately turned leaving the room. He had too much to do to stay any longer. If they could work on getting Jiro out that would help. He just needed to make sure that Jiro still had territory left to come home to when he got out.

Reiko quickly bowed to Ichirou and rushed after Suke, Ruka and Akira tailing behind. Grabbing his sleeve she looked at him with a strange look in her eye.

"I'm going with you. You may have brute force, but I can be of help. I know I can." She wanted to smile to reassure him but she just couldn't do it. There was this need inside her to help him knowing that he was technically the next in power aside from Takahiro and she knew she could help him. She just knew it.

Ruka sighed watching Reiko and Suke, "He tries to take on everything alone it seems. That or he keeps business and personal matters separate." Ruka wasn't sure what he could do but he wanted to take Suke's mind off everything and make him happy, but he knew that he had to do this.

"I just don't want him getting hurt."

Akira sighed as he walked beside Ruka on their way out. "All he's really known growing up is being yakuza and he takes it very seriously. As far as I know Suke has no personal things, everything is business." He glanced up at Ruka, "At least it was. Maybe you can help him. He's going to need someone there to help him after this is over cause . . . I hate to say this, but he is going to get hurt. It's just a matter of how bad. Especially if someone is trying to take territory."

Daisuike looked at Reiko for a long moment. "Fine. But you will stay at the command center and help coordinate things from there. I'm not going to have you out on the streets." That was where he was going to be, making sure his guys were alright.

"We'll see. It depends on what's going on and how things are going." Reiko didn't leave any room for saying anything as she climbed into the car as Ruka unlocked it from where he was. She was already starting to form things in her head, different ideas on what to do and how to do them. Reiko was going to need maps. Lots of maps and pens and statistics. Licking her lips she was kind of nervous.

This wasn't some game that they could reset if things went bad and she knew that, but it was going to take a lot of time and understanding to get things right and time wasn't what they had.

Ruka sighed slipping into the car. "Your place I'm assuming?"

Daisuike nodded, "Yes, please."

He ended up on the phone for the rest of the car ride. Things were deteriorating quickly and he needed to be there. His guys were getting pushed back and he kept getting calls about some tall blond guy who was with them. It had to be Chad. He was going to enjoy killing the bastard. He just needed to remember to bring his tool kit with him.

Akira sighed as they climbed the steps up to the apartment. If Daisuike wasn't on the phone he was deadly quiet and he hated it. He wanted this to be over so that things could go back to normal again.

Reiko was matching Suke step for step then she glanced down at herself. There was no way she was taking Yakuza on in her school uniform. As movie like as that would be, she wasn't comfortable in it and she didn't want to have to buy a new uniform if it got destroyed.

Looking at Akira she frowned, "Can I borrow some clothes you won't mind having destroyed and bloodied please? As awesome as wearing a school girl uniform to a fight is, I don't feel like being laughed at. Though it might give me an advantage." She tilted her head thinking about it.

Ruka just stared at them all. It seemed Reiko was more Yakuza like than Akira and she wasn't even part of the family. Maybe they were swapped at birth or something. Ruka wasn't sure.

Akira shrugged, "Yeah, I'm sure I've got something. Hang on I'll go get it."

Daisuike was already in the room changing into his old jean and a t-shirt. Akira knew when he wore that that he was serious and that somebody was probably going to die. Shaking his head he looked through his drawers as Daisuike looked for something in the closet.

"Ne Suke?"

"What?"

"Just be careful. You have a lot of people who care for you."

The sound of him rummaging stopped for a moment. "I'll be careful Akira, just like I always am."

Akira took the clothes to Reiko. "Here, I think these will fit you. Ano, Ruka is there anything I can get you?"

Reiko immediately went to change into the bathroom not sure she really liked the clothes and that they were a size too big, but she'd have to manage.

Ruka shook his head, "No, I'm fine. What are you going to be doing while they're gone? Would you like to come to my apartment? I’ve got some game systems we can play while the adults are at work." He smiled a bit unsure of what exactly needed to be done.

"I want to help but I don't know what to do-"

"Fuck! Akira! I'm cutting your sweater and pants!" Reiko hissed from the bathroom sounding like a fight had already started.

"They aren't mine, do what ever you want to them." Akira yelled back at her before turning to Ruka. "I usually stay home or go to Ryuu's, but if you want me to I'll hang out with you. Actually staying here might be better since everyone always comes here after a fight. I usually end up patching up a lot of people."

Daisuike came out of the room looking grim and headed for the kitchen. Akira watched as he got out his tool box and started laying knives out on the counter.

Ruka watched Suke carefully feeling a slight shudder run through his body. Seeing the knives he was slowly starting to understand the true Yakuza side of Daisuike and he wasn't sure he wanted to ruin the image he had of his beautiful lover. Many of them looked like they had been used a lot, the handles worn in places. Others were nicked and stained. Licking his lips he looked at Akira again unable to keep watching.

"Why don't we go to a local cafe for a while and when they need us they can call. We'll leave supplies out so everything will be ready. Would that be okay?"


Reiko walked out of the bathroom looking angry. Her hair was pulled back from her face and the sweater torn at the wrists and pant bottoms ripped off. Pushing the sleeves up and out of the way she looked towards Daisuike.

"I'm ready when you are."

Akira could tell that Ruka was uncomfortable and nodded. "We can do that. Hopefully, they won't be gone long anyway. Ne, Suke call us or have Reiko call us we are going to a cafe."

Daisuike nodded glancing up for a moment. "Alright, be careful and don't go outside the territory."

Akira waved to them as he left the apartment with Ruka. It bothered him more than he cared to admit that Reiko was going with him. He tried to smile at Ruka.

"It's kind of hard seeing them so willing to get hurt for what they believe in."

"Yeah. . . I find it really hard to see him so. . . Dark. I'm used to seeing the shy guy that will drink with me." Ruka shook his head as he entered the car starting it up as he watched Suke and Reiko get into his truck.

"Well . . . the dark part is what he is normally Ruka. " Akira made sure to put his seat belt on with the way Ruka drove. "That's what I meant when I said he was all business. I'm not used to seeing him shy and flustered like he is around you. It's a very nice change to see. I mean, he's laid back and kind, but it's hard to see past the surface with him. He doesn't let people very close to him usually."

"It just seems we'll have to get to know each other more than. We're sort of opposites in a sense, though both very much having lost something along the way." Ruka's eyes were kind of sad as he drove, not as fast as he normally did, but still fast. Then he got an idea.

"How long do you think we have until we're needed back?"

Akira shrugged. "There really isn't any way of knowing. It could be a couple of hours or tomorrow morning before they get back."