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In Japan’s crime underbelly, there’s a not-so-hidden secret that many mob bosses and syndicate leaders will make deals with beings beyond the human world. This usually looks like devil pacts or witch’s agreements, however, for the Aoba Johsai syndicate, it was a deal struck with a pack of werewolves. The previous boss, Oikawa Tooru, struck the first deal with his werewolf bodyguard and from there, they collaborated on a pact that would ensure the safety for both parties for years to come. Each new leader of Seijoh would be provided with a personal bodyguard, stronger than any human and twice as vicious in battle.
Unfortunately, both Oikawa and his werewolf were lost in a turf war, leading to the rise of Seijoh’s current boss: Yahaba Shigeru. Shigeru was calculated, cautious and observant; all skills Oikawa pushed him to hone in the event he would take over. As per the deal, when Shigeru took over leadership, his personal bodyguard appeared.
Kyoutani Kentarou was the stereotypical image one has when the word werewolf is brought up. He was animalistic in his movements, his canines always larger in his smiles, and his demeanor always came across as a subtle threat. When Shigeru walked the halls, Kyoutani behind him, many of the underlings scurried out of the way from fear of tripping one of them up and facing Kyoutani’s wrath.
Today, the two rode to a cheap restaurant in a car with tinted windows. Rain pattered on the ground as the car came to a stop and the two got out, Kyoutani opening an umbrella for Shigeru. They entered the restaurant and were guided to a private room in the back where a group of men sat around a rectangular table.
“Ah, the young lord finally arrives.” A round man laughed as Shigeru takes the empty seat at the head of the table.
“Apologies,” Shigeru said, removing black gloves from his hand, “The rain made it more difficult.”
He registered Kyoutani, stepped up behind his chair, awaiting his next instruction, and set his gloves on the table.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard by now,” Shigeru began, “Oikawa Tooru no longer walks this world. I’ve met a good deal of you already, but in an official shift of leadership, I wanted to introduce myself. Yahaba Shigeru, the new head of the Aoba Johsai mafia.”
Murmurs started running around the table as the leaders of smaller gangs and less powerful syndicates got excited at the idea of Seijoh potentially being weaker than it was. Shigeru leaned back, allowing them all to whisper among themselves for a minute. Before he could speak again, a chestnut haired man in a navy button down stood up and started collecting his things.
“Please share with us, where are you going, Futakuchi?” Shigeru asked.
“It is obvious that Seijoh will take a hit from the loss of Oikawa. Dateko does not wish to associate with Seijoh any longer. There is no faith or evidence that you could ever live up to his name, therefore our protection is gone.” The man stated, chin tilting up. Shigeru’s lips twitched and he made a motion with his hand. Kyoutani moved from behind his chair and slinked his way to stand between Futakuchi and the exit. Futakuchi’s own bodyguard, a tall white haired man named Aone, stepped up face to face with Kyoutani, who parted his lips to bare his teeth. Kyoutani’s eyes caught a glint in it, promising demise if the white haired man moved another muscle.
“If you were so easily swayed when I took over, you had no faith in Oikawa to begin with. He chose me as the next leader. You claim to have stood by him but cannot recognize his decision? Tell me, Futakucki, what is it that Dateko provides Seijoh?” Shigeru said, standing up and putting his hands on the table. “From my memory, I can’t seem to come up with anything noteworthy in the last two years.”
“We, uh, we’re weapons manufacturers, sir.” Futakuchi stuttered.
“Hmm, and Karasu, what do you do for us?” Shigeru’s voice was light when he addressed an average looking man in a t-shirt.
“Weapons, sir.” He replied with an easy smile, glancing at Futakuchi. Shigeru smiled.
“So, why shouldn’t we retract all of our support to you and let you walk out that door? We don’t need you, it seems.”
“I can assure you that our product is leagues above a fallen enterprise.” Futakuchi said with a sneer. “I’m not going to grovel to you, Yahaba, you’ll make a mistake and end up dead for it leaving a power vacuum. I’ll seal it back up.”
As Futakuchi spoke, many of the other bosses around the table began to protest in attempts to protect Shigeru’s pride, but it came down to a single noise from Kyoutani. The blond werewolf opened his mouth and let out a low snarl, a warning, at Futakuchi to back off.
Three things happened in rapid succession:
First, Futakuchi took a half-step away from Kyoutani, uncertainty coloring his features as the werewolf made his displeasure known.
Second, Aone took a step towards Kyoutani, an arm raising against the man, as he knew only to protect his boss.
Third, Kyoutani, on instinct, snapped his jaw at Aone, catching a small chunk of the other man’s arm. He pulled his head back, mouth falling open as the chunk dropped to the floor and blood spilled over the corners of his mouth.
Aone cried out in pain and a hand flew to his arm, trying to cover the wound and stem the bleeding.
“Kyoutani, back off. I think they understand now.” Shigeru called Kyoutani back to him and the blond took his spot back behind Shigeru, blood drying around his mouth and his eyes glowing with a sense of satisfaction.
“You are released from returning to the building, Futakuchi. There is no reason to continue a relationship that won’t benefit both people.” Shigeru stated. “You are all dismissed.”
The men around the table began to exit behind Futakuchi, who was rushing Aone out of the building for medical attention. Eventually, it was just Shigeru and Kyoutani.
“Kyo-ken, you need to learn restraint.” Shigeru said aloud. He was met with silence. “You can’t let them goad you into a fight, that could have been disastrous.”
“I’m aware.” Kyoutani’s low voice rumbled behind Shigeru.
“Then what caused you to attack?”
“He moved. He could have been reaching for a gun.”
A sadistic smile spread on Shigeru’s face. They both knew that wasn’t the reason Kyoutani snapped but Shigeru was willing to accept it.
“Let’s go home.” Shigeru stood up and led the two out of the room.
**********
The lights are disorienting was the first thing Shigeru thought when the police forced their way into the warehouse he was visiting. He was there to meet with an outside group who was looking for investors in their drug ring. Usually, that sort of thing was below Shigeru, but given Seijoh’s success recently, there didn’t seem to be anything new they could do except drugs.
Now, he wasn’t certain it was a set up, but the fact of the matter was, Shigeru was now in the middle of a drug bust operation and he needed to get out, fast . He was in an office room when the warehouse doors opened and lights began swirling around, making lower people run into each other in panic. Kyoutani’s body was between Shigeru and the ringleader, forcing him to keep a distance as Shigeru thought the situation through.
If they can get out the door unseen, there is a sewer hole under their office. If they can escape there, they would probably be able to make it back home.
“Kyoutani, get me down to the sewers safely.” He told his protector. Kyoutani gave a near imperceptible nod and began turning his back to the door, keeping his body between Shigeru and the ringleader but still allowing Shigeru to escape. The ringleader didn’t say or do anything as they two made their exit. When they made it past the door frame, Shigeru began sprinting down the stairs, Kyoutani hot on his heels.
“On the floor!” A bright light shone in Shigeru’s eyes before he ducked behind a shelving unit. The light followed him and he changed his running to a duck and weave pattern. A gunshot sounded and Shigeru braced for the incendiary pain of a bullet wound.
It never came.
Instead, the light that was casting disorienting shadows around him fell to the floor and there was no more yelling from behind him. Shigeru risked a glance behind him to find Kyoutani facing him, with something in his hand. Only his hand was transformed, giving his true form away. It was covered in dark brown fur, the nails long and threatening and it was holding the arm of the police officer that was previously chasing Shigeru. His other hand was pressed against his collarbone, blood spreading under his shirt.
“Drop it and run!” Shigeru snapped at him. Kyoutani dropped the arm with a thud on the officer’s back and ran forwards, leaving a bloody scene behind him.
The two made it to the manhole and dropped down before they were spotted again. After making sure they were safely away from the one they dropped in, they climbed out of a sewer hole, uncertain where they were. Shigeru pulled out his phone and called for a ride.
In the car, he worked swiftly to pull Kyoutani’s shirt off and pull out the medical kit he kept in case of emergencies. He put on gloves and began working to pull out the bullet in Kyoutani’s upper chest.
“This could have been a lot worse.” Shigeru chided. “What were you thinking?”
“Protect.” Kyoutani grit out between clenched teeth.
“You can’t do that if you’re dead.”
“I also can’t do that if you’re dead.”
Silence falls between them as Shigeru concentrates on the needle closing Kyoutani’s skin. His breath falls on the other’s collarbone, sending electricity down his spine. He wanted to nuzzle against the sandy haired man, but he couldn’t move just yet.
“That really scared me.” Shigeru said quietly, a new side Kyoutani had yet to see. “I thought…”
“No.” Kyoutani responded. “You won’t die on my watch.”
“I was scared of losing you.” Shigeru whispered. He finished the last stitch and closed it off, setting everything back where he kept it. “I don’t know when, but fuck, Kentaro, I’m scared of losing you.”
“Don’t be. I’m stronger than you think I am.” Kyoutani said, just as quiet. He wanted Shigeru. He wanted to pull him to his lap and kiss him and show him how strong he was, but he needed to show restraint. Instead, he grabbed Shigeru’s hand and kissed the palm.
**********
Gold light shone down on Shigeru from the chandelier above him and he’s pleased to see Kyoutani focused on the food in front of him. Usually, the werewolf would be scanning their surroundings, searching for something amiss, but currently, he was savoring an expensive steak on Shigeru’s bill.
The two had decided to take a night just for themselves and Shigeru wanted it to be special. He wanted it to be something to prove his commitment by. Everything was going perfectly and he couldn’t ask for a better date night.
That is, until Kyoutani starts glaring at their waitress. She was a short, blond cutesy woman who was extremely cordial and intuitive to the two of them from the moment they sat down. On one hand, Shigeru wanted to ask what made Kyoutani suddenly be on guard, on the other hand, he was deeply intrigued to see where this was going.
When the waitress came back to refill their waters, Kyoutani’s eye twitched and as she walked away, he sniffed the air behind her. Shigeru lifted the glass of water to his mouth and paused, catching the wolf’s eyes locked onto his.
“Do. Not.” He said, voice low. “Give me that.”
He reached across and snatched the glass out of Shigeru’s hand and brought it up to his nose. He gave it a small sniff and then his nose scrunched in disgust. The waitress had come back in to offer a dessert menu but she didn’t get the chance to utter a sound before Kyoutani’s hand was around her mouth and she was on the floor.
Shigeru stood up calmly and set his cloth napkin on the table. Kyoutani’s mouth was open next to the girl’s ear.
“What did you put in his drink?” He growled. “I’m not some stupid bodyguard, you know. I can smell the smallest change.”
Every exhale of his breath rushed across her neck, his teeth threatening to sink into the soft flesh and her eyes grew wide and tearful.
“You tried to poison me?” Shigeru asked lightly. He leaned over the back of his chair, looking down at the blonde. She tried to shake her head, as much as she could manage with Kyoutani holding her down.
“Let her speak.” Shigeru waved his hand.
“One wrong move and you’ll lose your windpipe.” Kyoutani snarled. He removed his hand and the girl started whimpering out an explanation.
“I was paid. I’m sorry, some man at the bar slipped me a hundred to put the vial in. I don’t even know what it was, I’m so sorry, please don’t hurt me.” She cried.
“Get off of her, let’s go.” Shigeru called Kyoutani off and dropped a wad of cash on the table. “If it doesn’t cover dinner, use the rest of the hundred you were given, yeah?”
The two walked out of the room, leaving the waitress on the floor, still crying and passed the bar, where Kyoutani rakes his claws across the back of a man on their way past. It took a moment for the man to react to the burning sensation on his back and by the time he did, the two were already out the door of the restaurant.
**********
The room is pitch black, but Kyoutani doesn’t mind. His werewolf abilities allow him to see in absolute darkness. It gives him the edge, especially when thieves think they have a shot at Shigeru’s wealth.
Two taps emanate from the darkness in front of him. A smile grows across his mouth. He’d been watching the three men for the last ten minutes play spies. They entered through the window, after a deep thud hit the wall next to it. The window gave the tiniest squeal and then three men dressed in black climbed up a rope and into the hallway. After getting to their feet, they crouched down, for what reason, Kyoutani couldn’t tell you, but it sure made for some entertainment.
“Shut up.” One of them whispered as they continued sneaking their way towards Kyoutani and, therefore, Shigeru’s vault. Behind the door was a vast fortune of jewels, gold, weapons and priceless items that Shigeru wanted stored safely. Every so often, enemies got it in their mind that they would be the one to break into it. Even if they could get past Kyoutani, the door itself would take at most an hour to break through, in which time others doing their hourly walk would find the thieves.
The trio of me were nearly just in front of Kyoutani when they began whispering to each other again.
“Did you bring the bomb?”
“Of course, you idiot.”
Kyoutani frowned. A bomb would disturb Shigeru, and that wasn’t acceptable.
“Let’s do this.” One of the men whispered excitedly.
“Oh, yes, let’s.” Kyoutani replied, a grin appearing on his face and his eyes glowing in the dark.
“Oh fu-!” Before the man could finish his sentence, Kyoutani already had his hands around his head and he snapped the man’s neck with a satisfying crack.
Another pulled out a gun and Kyoutani used his claws to scratch down their arm and pulled the gun away. With a quiet “oomph” he threw the second out the window they entered through.
“Don’t, please.” The third began to plead. Kyoutani laughed.
“Are you kidding me? You break in, planning to steal the king’s vault, and then pussy out when the going gets rough? Pay for it.” Kyoutani thrusted his hand into the man’s chest and pulled out his heart. The body in front of him fell with a thud and he dropped the heart on top of the pile, then went back to his post of watching the silent night go by. In the morning he would deal with disposing of the bodies, but for now he remained silent and vigilant for Shigeru.
**********
Shigeru watched as Kyoutani packed his bag, shoving clothes inside with a scowl on his face.
“Why do you want me to go instead of any of the others?” Kyoutani asked. Shigeru pushed away from the door and walked up to his back, wrapping his arms around the other’s waist.
“Because you’re faster and time is of the essence for this one.” Shigeru murmured against his neck. “That bastard needs to be removed before he takes the stand. He’s too much of a coward to stand tall.”
Kyoutani leaned his head back on Shigeru’s shoulder.
“This is still stupid. While I’m gone, you stay in the house. You don’t go anywhere, even with protection. They can’t do it like I can.” Kyoutani’s voice rumbled in Shigeru’s chest and the mob boss smiled.
“Fine, you’ll be back by tonight so it’s not that big of a deal.” Shigeru agreed to give his werewolf peace of mind. “Now go.”
Kyoutani grabbed his bag as Shigeru walked out of their room and headed for the helicopter. While he’s faster than normal men on foot, he still wouldn’t make it to a different state in time. The world rolled by under him as he soared over, making his way towards his target.
It was a simple job, to be fair, and any hitman would have been able to do it. The target was a politician who’d been arrested for diverting funds from his campaign and released on bond. The issue came for when the politician took the stand, he’d give up his connection to Seijoh, therefore implicating them and giving authorities reason to arrest. It would be putting a giant target on Shigeru’s back, and hell would freeze over before Kyoutani was going to allow that to happen.
All the time spent reviewing the target’s information made Kyoutani angry and by the time they landed in a secluded forest, a good distance from the city, Kyoutani was out for blood. He hopped off of the helicopter and sniffed the air, trying to catch the scent of the target’s trail. He wandered for a couple minutes until he caught it. Now it was just a matter of time following it.
The scent trail led him to a hotel, one of the shoddy, beaten down ones. He walked into the lobby and passed the empty front desk. He climbed the stairs to the second story and followed the trail to a door at the end of the hallway. He knocked on the door.
“What is it?” A man’s voice from behind the door called out. Kyoutani didn’t respond, only knocked again. This time, the door opened, revealing a tall, lanky man. It was the politician in Kyoutani’s pictures. In an instant, Kyoutani pushed the man back into his room and shoved the door shut behind him. He had an arm pressed to the man’s throat, crushing his windpipe and spoke.
“You fucked up and now I have to miss time with the one human I actually care to tolerate.” Kyoutani snarled. The man’s eyes widened in fear and his face grew red from lack of oxygen. Kyoutani waited, as if expecting a response, even though he knew the man couldn't respond.
“At least I can make sure this is done right.” Kyoutani continued holding the man up, his plan to make it look like a suicide forming in his mind. He'll finish killing him by suffocation and then hang his body. That would also satisfy Shigeru. Not too bloody, although Kyoutani admits it's not as fun that way, but then cops wouldn't be looking for a suspect.
Kyoutani watched as the light faded from the politician's eyes and a small, pleased smile started to rest on his face. He imagined the praise Shigeru would have waiting for him when he reported the job done cleanly. That's the thought he kept in his head as he used a motel sheet to tie the man up to the balcony railing before throwing the body over the side. In the morning, someone would find the man and call the police but Kyoutani wouldn't be around to see it unfold.
He jumped off the balcony and took off sprinting away from the motel, back towards the helicopter. The world passed in a blur as he ran, mostly excited to share his update with Shigeru. Once he was back in the forest, he slowed his pace to a light stroll and pulled out his phone. He tapped Shigeru's contact, a picture of the man laughing in the background as the call connects.
“Mm, hello?” Shigeru's voice was heavy with sleep and Kyoutani kicked himself for waking him up.
“Hey, it's me. Target was taken care of and it was clean, I swear. No blood, no struggle and it looks like a suicide.” Kyoutani shared, nearly vibrating while he awaited the praise from the man on the other end of the line.
“Good job, Kyo.” Shigeru mumbled into the receiver. Kyoutani felt a shiver go down his spine. “Now come home.”
“I'm on my way as we speak.” Kyoutani climbed aboard the helicopter and buckled in. The pilot started the engine.
“I'm waiting for you but I'm not going to listen to chopper noise. I'll see you when you get back.” Shigeru said before hanging up and Kyoutani settled in for a quick ride back to his human.
**********
Shigeru sits at his desk in the mansion and glares at the clock next to him. He has been without Kyoutani for 12 hours already and expects to be without him for at least another 24. While he knew he was the reason for it, Shigeru still didn't like them being apart. In their line of work, it was never promised that they'd see each other again if they separated and every hour they spent apart drove Shigeru insane. The clock ticks by, turning from one hour to the next and he sighs.
It became time for the meeting he was dreading. With Kyoutani gone, people often try to take advantage of the fact, assuming that Shigeru can't keep himself safe. It was usually unfortunate for those who thought that way, but mostly it was annoying for Shigeru. Today’s meeting was at the request of one of the branches in the syndicate’s drug operation. When asked, the person requesting was dismissive and left out any details. To a new leader, this would just be signs of incompetency, but to Shigeru it was a path to an ambush painted in red.
He rises from his desk, grabbing his harness with his pistol hanging from it and puts it on. He puts his suit jacket on and exits his office, smoothing any leftover wrinkles. The hallways wind and blur past him as he makes his way to the giant meeting room set aside specifically for situations like this. It was a room towards the back of the mansion, one that had people wandering hallways for what felt like hours. He enjoyed the idea of people being lost and turned around just in case they accidentally escape. The double doors open as he approaches and inside are five men sitting around the large wooden table.
“Gentlemen, what can I do for you?” Shigeru says matter-of-fact, striding into the room. The doors close behind him and he stops at the end of the table, neglecting to take a seat. If his instincts were correct, this would be over quickly.
“Boss, you see, the guys are getting a little restless. They’re asking for more pay and well, we had the idea that maybe you could do something about that?” One of the men asks, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.
“You were there when the budget was approved, we can’t reallocate funding for six more weeks.” Shigeru states.
The men around the table shift and murmur in displeasure.
“If that was all you had to share, requesting this meeting was a waste of time.” Shigeru straightens up, voice going lower. “Don’t waste my time again.”
“Ya see, Boss, we can’t go back and tell the boys no.” The largest man stands up and locks eyes with Shigeru. “They trust us. So, I’m thinking maybe we’ll just take their pay increase out of your hide.”
Shigeru sighs in irritation. Of course this wouldn’t be as easy as he wanted.
“If you walk out that door right now, I won’t send my personal best to kill you and your family. I’ll dissolve your branch and let you exit with your lives. See, I’ve had a pretty bad day and I’d rather not end it fighting.” Shigeru’s eyes flick up the man standing, a wry smile crossing his face. “Although, it could be cathartic to end it in a bloodbath.”
Everything moves in an instant. The man standing reaches inside his jacket, presumably to pull out his weapon, but before he could touch the metal, Shigeru’s own pistol was aimed at his head, his finger pulling the trigger and sending a splatter of blood and brain matter up the wall behind him. The body falls back into the chair the man sat at.
Another leaps over the table, reaching for Shigeru who slams the butt of his gun down on his head, striking the man off the table and onto the floor. Shigeru lifts his foot and slams it down onto the man’s skull, feeling the crunch of bones beneath his shoe.
He raises his gun towards the third and empties two well placed bullets into him. Blood seeps out from under his shirt and onto the black leather beneath him. The fourth man wields a knife and manages to land a slice on Shigeru’s forearm, causing him to drop his gun. Shigeru grabs the man’s wrist with his left hand and rips the knife from him before stabbing his neck, slicing through the tendons just below his ear and pulling down.
Everything pauses, leaving the last man and Shigeru looking at each other.
“You understand you can’t leave.” Shigeru pants. “You should have thought about why I was the one to take over for Oikawa before you planned this out.”
The man backs away from Shigeru as far as he could until his spine meets the wall. Shigeru follows, stalking towards him like a predator who’d caught his prey.
“See, having Kyoutani around is simply because I don’t like to get dirty. Not because I can’t handle myself.” Shigeru’s voice grows raspy. “I was trained to fight by Oikawa’s bodyguard, and hell if I didn’t prove myself. Do you know what it’s like to be trained by a werewolf? Agony. Days spent in nausea and pure, utter, agony.”
Shigeru’s close enough he can feel the other man’s stuttering breaths against his cheek.
“It’s really a shame I have to kill you, too. I always consider leaving one person to share how scary I am, but really, it’s just principle now. You came in here, expecting to threaten me and be able to leave? Own the consequences of your actions.”
Shigeru brings the knife to the man’s throat and presses the blade against the flesh, slowly dragging it along the length of the man’s jaw. It glides through sinew and blood as the man chokes before his knees buckle, sending him to the floor with finality.
In the silence of the room, Shigeru huffs out a laugh and drops the blade. His phone rings. He reaches into his pocket with bloody fingers and pulls it out, answering.
“Hello?”
“Hey, mission complete. We're on our way back now. I'll fill you in on what we found when I get back.” Kyoutani's voice is warm on the other end of the line. Shigeru feels his muscles untense and he starts heading for the door.
“Okay, I'm probably going to be in the shower when you arrive.” Shigeru informs him. The drying blood was causing his fingers to stick to the phone case.
“Is everything okay?” Kyoutani asks, his tone revealing he already knows the answer.
“I'll fill you in when you get here. I'm going to need to find replacement heads for a branch, though.” Shigeru says, pushing one of the double doors open. Two of his men await on the other side.
“Okay, I'll see you then.” Kyoutani says. “Be safe.”
“Always am.” Shigeru hangs up the phone and turns to the two waiting for instructions. “Clean this up, spotless. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Of course, thank you, Boss.” They say and enter the room, setting to work to clean up the mess Shigeru left behind.