The Promise and the Threat

Fujimaru narrowed his eyes looking at Ruka. So taunting Suke had finally gotten a response out of him. That was good, he was on the right track then.

"Is that so? You realize why I'm doing this don't you? I'm going to make sure that your image of him is forever tainted. Every memory you will have will be of him either killing or being killed. Either way I'll get what I want." He smiled tapping the phone against his chin. "Neither one of you will be able to forget me if you do somehow manage to survive. But for now, we will have fun and enjoy our time together."

***

Fuji reached up touching Suke's shoulder. They had all heard the conversation and it made him sick to think that this man who had Ruka had done such horrible things to Daisuike. It seemed they were going to learn a lot about Daisuike all at once..

"We're right here Daisuike. You aren't alone in this, no matter what happens, we'll be there and you and Ruka are gunna get out of this fine. We won't let him hurt you guys."

He looked towards Masa who smiled softly nodding, "Yeah! We got a bunch of guys too so nothing will go wrong. I think. . ."

Daisuike nodded not trusting his voice at the moment. They would get Ruka and he would kill Fujimaru, simple as that.

***

"You think him being covered in blood bothers me?" Ruka continued to stare at him unwavering. "I've seen him covered in another's man's blood before and it doesn't bother me in the slightest."

Fujimaru looked over at Ruka cocking his head to the side. " So, you've already got to see him bloodied. I wonder though, did you actually watch him work though. Who do you think trained him?"

Fujimaru pulled one of the chairs over and straddled it his arms resting on the back of it. He watched Ruka carefully, calculating what might get to him even more. "I knew when I first met him when he was what . . . sixteen I knew that he was a natural born killer. You don't have a mother like that and not grow up with a few mental issues. Though I was surprised that Akira was the one that actually tried to kill her. Anyway, he was a lot of fun to train, so much anger is buried in him and to see it so minutely controlled as he works . . . it's almost like watching an artist. Of course I was not happy when he got promoted above me."

He shrugged, "I've been planning my move for months and now I'm not going to let a couple of brats take away everything I've worked so hard for."

Ruka tried not to let the shock appear on his face, trying to keep that fine control he had over himself. If he let go of it, things would end badly. He wasn't going to let this man get the satisfaction of knowing how sad he felt inside. No, he wasn't angry or sickened by what Daisuike was, he was saddened that his lover had to endure so much, to have so much pain inside him. It hurt. It pained him to know that his family was so tortured and he wanted nothing more than to hold his beautiful Ouji-sama.

"Isn't it going to be sad?" He continued to watch Fujimaru not moving, "To know that your student is going to be the one who'll surpass you and kill you?"

Fujimaru sat back looking at Ruka. This one was a tough one. It made him happy. He hated the ones that started crying and blubbering within five minutes.

"He can try, but every good teacher keeps a few secrets from his student. Though he'll get them used on him." He stood up kicking the chair away from him. He wanted to make sure he had everything he needed laid out. He was glad he remembered to grab the cattle prod. Going over to the table he picked up the slender metal rod pressing the stud to activate the electric prongs.

"This was what did it." He glanced back at Ruka a hateful sneer on his lips. "This is what finally broke him. I'm sure you noticed the burn marks. I had him on his back writhing and screaming until he finally begged me to stop. Of course, it just made me want to do it more."

Ruka started to shake slightly clenching his fists, he couldn't react, it was what he wanted. It was so hard to know that Daisuike had endured so much and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to help him.

"Well I know for a fact that he will kill you and if he doesn't? I will or maybe even Jiro since we both know he's on his way."

Fujimaru snorted. "We'll see."

Walking over behind Ruka he pulled his phone out again. "Why don't we let you say hello to him."

Dialing Daisuike's number he waited for it to start ringing before holding the phone next to Ruka. Hearing Daisuike pick up he smirked and pressed the activated prod against Ruka's side waiting for the screaming to start.

***

Daisuike dropped the phone as if it had shocked him. "Oh god . . . no."

Fuji stared at the phone hearing Ruka's scream through it and quickly reached over closing the phone, taking it. Daisuike wasn't allowed to answer it anymore. Seeing the pained look on Daisuike's face he grabbed the other man, glaring at him.

"Listen to me and listen well Daisuike, you need to keep it together here. Yes, Ruka may be in pain, but he will die if you fuck this up." He let that slowly sink in before adding the part he hoped would affect Suke the most, "Either by you screwing up and Fujimaru killing him or by his own hands. His life is in your hands Daisuike. Don't freak out and panic."

Daisuike was trembling all over. Ruka. Ruka had been screaming. Fuji's words struck deep though. He was right. He had to pull it together and save Ruka. He had to find that quiet center away from the emotional part of him. He'd done it often enough with his mother, this wasn't going to be any different. Fujimaru might be good at torture, but Chiyo was a master.

"Just get us there as fast as you can Masa. I'll take care of the rest."

"I am, but they're pretty far away. Honestly it was in a completely different direction than where we were so it's gunna take time, even as fast as I'm going." Masa growled weaving in and out of traffic. Why the hell where there so many cars on the road?!

Fuji placed a hand on Daisuike's shoulder feeling the body under it tremble. He felt bad for Daisuike. It had pained him to hear Ruka's screams, but for Daisuike to hear them it had to a hundred times worse.

"Ruka will be okay. He may look weak and fragile but he'll be okay. He'd doing his part to make sure everything goes okay. You just gotta do yours."

***

Ruka was sobbing by the time Fujimaru dropped the cattle prod, breathing heavily through the tears. Every inch of his body hurt and he couldn't stop crying. Where was that guy that said he wouldn't scream, wouldn't do anything to hurt Daisuike? And he had screamed. He had failed Daisuike and now he was going to end up getting hurt.

Fujimaru stepped back tapping the prod against his leg. "That was fun. I bet Daisuike is simply beside himself right now. It hurts doesn't it? Like your whole body is on fire. You know Suke took around ten shocks like that before he screamed like you just did. Though it took another ten or so before he was crying. I don't know what Chiyo did to him, but she really toughened him up. It's almost too bad I have to kill him."

Ruka glared at Fujimaru as he lifted his head, the tears slowly stopping and finally he couldn't stand it anymore spitting into his face.

"Go fuck yourself you sick freak."


***

Daisuike was slowly forming a plan as they drove. He had to keep his mind working on the problem or he kept hearing that horrible pain filled scream. He was going to need to have Masa and Fuji make sure everything was in place before he put his plan into motion. There was some risk involved, but it was one he was willing to take.

Fuji snapped open his phone answering the call, "Hai-" His eyes suddenly went wide. “A-Ah I-Itokawa-sama. W-What do I owe this honor?" Fuji's eyes went wider and he bit his lip, "A-Ano. . . We've talked to the Fukoda Clan and- Yes. . .Yes- Ah- I'm not sure." Covering the mouth piece Fuji looked at Daisuike looking very nervous.

"A-Ano, Daisuike? Are. . .Are you anyone important in the Yakuza?" He felt awkward, suddenly feeling like maybe he was getting in over his head.

Daisuike looked back at Fuji. Something didn't seem quite right. "Ano, yeah kind of. Why?"

Fuji winced and softly spoke into the phone, relaying what Daisuike had said. Wincing he bit his lip, "Hai- Hai, I'll do that." With a slight shaking hand he held the phone out to Daisuike, "Itokawa-sama wants to talk to you."

Fuji cringed hoping nothing bad happened when all this was said and done.

With a slight frown Daisuike took the phone not sure who this Itokawa-san was.

"Moshi moshi Kobayashi here."

***

Fujimaru got up wiping the spit from his face with his sleeve. He chuckled, the sound echoing darkly. He backhanded Ruka, snapping his head to the side. He smirked at the whimper.

“You are making this entirely too fun, Sakata. Why do you care so much what happens to Daisuike? Because he lets you control him? How long do you really think that will last? You don’t actually think you love him, do you? Please, there is nothing there to love.”

Ruka didn’t turn back to look at him trying to stop crying but his whole body hurt and all he wanted was to hold Daisuike.

***

"This is Itokawa Tomonobu, Wakagashira of the Sumiyoshi-kai, who am I speaking with? Kobayashi Daisuike? Alright, here is the thing. My sources are telling me that Sakata Ruka has been taken hostage, however I want direct information. Who is involved in this?" Tomonobu spoke quickly, the formal wording not masking his irritation. He wasn't in the mood for games at the moment.

"Hai that is correct. I am Kobayashi Daisuike, fuku-honbucho for Kobayashi Jiro of the Kobayashi-kai. The rebel yakuza Fujimaru formerly of the Kobayashi has taken Sakata hostage. I am currently in route to their location to bargain for their release. How may I help you, Itokawa-sama?" Daisuike was more than a little surprised and slipped into formal speech to address the man. He didn't want any trouble with any other yakuza clans. He was worried enough about the Fudoka.

"From what my informants say those two are on Fudoka Clan territory." He made a soft humming sound shuffling some papers, "And I have the location here. Let me ask you something Kobayashi, how dangerous is this man? Wait- No, that doesn't even matter at this point. Let me rephrase this, how many men do you want?" There was more shuffling of the papers and then a click of a pen, "I do not, and let me repeat this for you, do not want Ruka injured in any way. If he is out of the races then that is a very bad thing."

Tapping the pen a few times he sighed, "How many men, Kobayashi?"

"Ano . . ." Daisuike was taken aback. He had no idea that Ruka was so important to another clan. He wondered if Ruka was aware of it. "I'm really not sure at the moment. I'm not familiar with the area where they are being held, so I am at a disadvantage. Some information would help me to better assess the situation. If I give you the coordinates can you send some men over to check it out and report back to me? I want to deal with Fujimaru personally."

"That is fine. I will have my men search the area. I will leave Fujimaru to you though. I will have my men call this number when they are done. Men will be ready at your call. I don't care what it takes, I want Sakata uninjured. Speak with you again soon Kobayashi." Clicking the phone off, Tomonobu sent for his men in a very bad mood.

Fuji stared at Daisuike unsure, "Ano. . . Is everything okay?"

"Ano, right now I'm not entirely sure. That was the wakagashia of the Sumiyoshi-kai, he's giving me more men so we can ensure that Ruka is unharmed. He's going to take care of the one thing I was worried about for me. It should make it a lot easier for me when we do find Ruka." Daisuike was getting more anxious the closer they got to Fudoka territory.

Fuji nodded looking at Daisuike, "Yeah, I would imagine so. Ruka doesn't know it, but that guys bets big money on him when the big races happen. Honestly it's a big scary how casual Ruka is with him too."

"Kind of funny too! He's so clueless when it comes to stuff like that!" Masa smiled trying to lighten the conversation up some.

***

Ruka groaned softly wanting to cry even more but the tears just wouldn't come anymore. Fujimaru had gotten pissed that Daisuike wasn't there yet and had hit him. Several times. Closing his eyes, Ruka tried to stop the soft whimpers that escaped his lips as he breathed wanting the pain to go away.

Fujimaru stopped pacing. This was getting ridiculous. How long was Kobayashi going to make him wait? He looked over at Ruka.

"You must not mean as much to him as I thought. When I saw him buy those rings I knew he had to be pretty serious. That boy'd never bought anyone a single solitary thing in his life. Maybe I was mistaken." Walking around behind Ruka’s head he grabbed his hand looking at the ring. "I'll give him one thing. He's got good taste."

Ruka glared up at Fujimaru, clenching his hand shut. He was not taking that from him. He wouldn't allow it. He yelped as Fujimaru wrenched his fingers back almost to the breaking point. The ring was ripped off his finger and he wanted to sob in frustration. He wanted this to just be over and to have Daisuike back in his arms. The thought of Daisuike facing Fujimaru sent a sickening dread through him. He desperately hoped that Jiro got there first.

***

"Oh." Daisuike stared out the window for a moment but the scenery was whipping by so fast it was going to make him sick. "I didn't realize, Jiro doesn't allow any racing in our area, though you probably know that already."

He wondered if it was going to cause problems him being with Ruka and being from another clan. He looked down at his hand in his lap and slowly twisted the ring on his finger. He'd already caused Ruka so much trouble. He just wanted him back and to go home and try-somehow-to make amends for it.

Fuji clapped Suke's shoulder grinning at him, "Don't worry so much. If you go in there looking depressed Fujimaru already won." He tried to smile a bit wanting Daisuike to lighten up as well.

"Oh hey! Could you ask Jiro to let us race on your territory!? There's this sick street-"

"Masa."

"But- But dude! That street-"

"Masa."

"Fine. . ." Masa whined softly pouting drifting a corner as he moved onto the off ramp. "We're getting close."

"Once we get Ruka back I'll make sure you can race on any street you want Masa. I'll even designate certain days when the streets will be close so you can race during the day. How does that sound? We just have to get Ruka back first."

Fuji sighed patting Suke's shoulder again, "We will, just relax. We have like 50 racers coming and now Yakuza? It'll be okay. We just gotta get there." Fuji was about to say something else but his phone rang.

"Moshi Moshi- Hai-" He frowned handing the phone to Daisuike, "For you."

Daisuike was glad for the distraction of the phone calls both to keep his mind off what Fujimaru might do to Ruka and how fast they were going.


Daisuike closed the phone finally and laid his head back against the seat. "Everything is ready. They are being held at an abandoned factory. Apparently the fucking idiot is alone. Either he's even more stupid than I thought or he's confident that he can win. He's dead either way."

He turned to look at Masa then Ruka. "I want you guys to drop me off when we get close. I've arranged for there to be yakuza stationed around the factory should things start to go badly. I will deal with Fujimaru and call you when things are clear."

"What?! No! We're going to help you Daisuike!"

"Seriously, you can't expect us to just drop you off. The guys want to help too." Fuji frowned, letting Daisuike go on his own would be a bad idea. "We're going with you no matter what."

"No. I need you outside waiting with the cars just in case. If I go in there with a big show of force he will slit Ruka’s throat before we even have a chance. I can take Fujimaru. Last time he had five guys jump me and barely managed it. He, by himself, I can handle." He had to keep thinking that way. He had to force those memories down deep. This was just another job.

Fuji frowned. "If there are windows we're watching just in case." Leaning over in the seat he rummaged through the glove compartment pulling out a small device. "Take this with you." Handing it to him he frowned, "Press the button if you need us. It's usually our signal for cops but if you need us, please, please press it."

"He'll press it for sure!"

Grabbing Daisuike's shoulder, he let his hand dig in slightly, "Let's make one thing clear Kobayashi, if Ruka takes his life because of you, I will make sure you never get a moment's rest, even if you're dead. Understood?" Fuji's voice was hard and tight.

Daisuike looked at then down at the device. Part of him knew they were only doing this because it was Ruka, but part of him wanted to believe that maybe they trusted him to save Ruka.

"Ill use it if I need it, don't worry." He tucked it into his pocket hoping he didn't need to. "How close are we Masa?"

"Around the corner." Masa grinned drifting along it, slamming the car to stop, unfortunately hitting the brake too hard and spinning the car to do a 360. Luckily they didn't move too far and just spun.

"You are never driving anywhere Masa. EVER."

"Sorry. . ."

Flinging the door open Daisuike got out his head spinning and his stomach trying to climb out his throat.

"I think I'm safer inside with Fujimaru." He shook his head and turned to face the building wondering which entrance would be the best.


Fujimaru looked up hearing the screech of tires outside. "Hmm, sounds as though Suke found a ride."

He raised an eyebrow at Ruka, "One of you friends I would guess."

He grinned hearing the door open. "Now lets get the party started."

Ruka lifted his head staring in horror as he watched his lover walk through the doors. His insides ran cold and he was so scared he wanted to cry.

"Daisuike! Leave damnit! Just go!" Feeling tears sting his eyes he held them back clenching his fists to help.

Fujimaru walked over so that he was in front of Ruka watching Daisuike walk slowly toward them. He ran an appraising eye over him.

"You've lost weight Suke-kun. I must say I didn't really think you'd have the balls to show up today."

"You've taken what is mine and you think I wouldn't show up to reclaim it?" Daisuike's eyes were hard and flat. "I'm going to kill you."

"Oh really. I'd like to see you try. You couldn't do it last time."

"You had to have five guys beat me into unconsciousness before you would face me Fujimaru. I don't see how that gave me a fair chance."

"Oh, going to whine about that are we. Well now is your chance." He held up the prod from where he'd been hiding it behind his back smirking as the blood drained from Daisuike's face. "I see you remember my favorite little tool. Care to test your luck with it this time?"

"You fucking bastard."

"Ah, stay there or prince charming here will get another nasty shock.” Fujimaru turned slightly toward Ruka the prod held out toward him. Daisuike instantly stopped. “That's better. You want him back, ne? Well first I want you to divest yourself of the knives you are carrying."

Daisuike's eyes flickered to Ruka's and he blinked a few times before slowly getting the knife out of his pocket.

"Slowly now, I know how good you are at throwing them. That's it. See that wasn't so hard was it. Now where are the others?"

Ruka tensed not liking the fact that he was being used as a way to hurt Daisuike. It made his chest burn and he wished Daisuike would just throw that knife into Fujimaru's throat. Twisting on the cot, he bit his lip. The ties were biting into his wrists and the sedative had done nothing to help with the pain radiating from his ankle or the stabbing pain in his chest. Lifting his head he stared at Daisuike.

"Why are you still here! I told you to leave damnit! Why the fuck did you come!?" Ruka's voice was tense. He was on the verge of tears, horrified that Daisuike had come. Jiro was the one suppose to come, not Suke!

Daisuke flinched at the harsh words from Ruka and Fujimaru grinned. This was just too perfect. Daisuike was already beaten in his mind. Now it was just a matter of time before he had him battered and broken at his feet.

"Yeah, why did you come Suke? Surely this bitch isn't that good a fuck to risk your life over?"

The only answer was a deadly glare as Daisuike pulled the knife out of his belt. Fujimaru tensed slightly watching him carefully ready to duck out of the way. Wouldn't that just be the ultimate irony for Daisuike, kill his lover by accident. The last knife clattered to the floor and Fujimaru tilted his head to the side.

"You sure are a lot more cooperative this time around." He grinned seeing the tremor go through the other man’s body. "You think about it everyday don't you?"

Getting out his knife he looked at Daisuike for a moment before leaning down to cut the ties around Ruka's wrists. Hauling Ruka up he grabbed the prod slamming it against the side of his head, knocking him to the floor.

"Ruka!"

Daisuike immediately stopped as the prod came back up pointed at him. Fujimaru grinned. "You really want to try your luck Kobayashi?"

Ruka groaned laying on the ground, refusing to move. The world was spinning and he felt nauseated, his head throbbing in so much pain. Trying to crack his eyes open he cringed, regretting it. Squeezing his eyes shut he gasped in pain trying to force himself up onto his hands. If only he could get to Suke, then things would be okay. If he was near Suke everything would be okay and he'd be safe.

Seeing Ruka trying to move Fujimaru put a boot between his shoulder blades forcing him back down. He watched Daisuike happy to see the fury in his eyes. He was going to snap any moment and then he would win.

"You want me to let him go? Let him walk out of here, or hobble in his case?" There was a curt nod, Daisuike's eyes dark. "Get on your knees then. Go ahead. On your knees."

Ruka buried his face against the ground, groaning in pain. This man was truly insane. His whole body hurt and he was still hurting him. On top of it all he was messing with Daisuike and hurting him emotional. Why? Why was it all happening? What kind of vendetta did this asshole have?