Welcome to Tokyo, Japan. January, 1991. The world has entered the technology era, portable phones, home computers, internet, video games. Japan quickly became the epicenter of the latest and greatest. Companies and factories flourished. Where money was, people followed. And while many rose to live a comfortable, happy, and delightful life from this new found money... Others did not. You see, money has this effect on people that can't be outdone. People will do anything for it. And when it starts slipping into the wrong hands, it's impossible to stop. Benethe the day time laborers and the double-shift workers, a seedy underbelly of syndicates exists. Narctics, black market, organized crime, money laundering, you name it and it's been growing as fast as the upper world economy. While many do it just to stay alive, there's those who make it their posh lifestyle. Either way, there's only one question. What would you do if the money was good enough?
JAN 29 2021: Welcome!! ƎLEMENT has been open for two weeks now and we're so happy to see such a bright beginning! If you're new feel free to drop into the discord and say hi before joining.
[attr="class","skullbody"] Kane rolled his eyes at the argumentative pair. He kept his hands in his pockets and took a step back while they exchanged words. Where did Akito find these guys anyway? He wondered what he wanted out of him, and how much of a fight he'd have to put up. Kane found it harder to not kill them than it was to accidentally. Also not to wound their talking areas, as it seems that's what was needed for this transaction. [break][break] Kane pulled at his neck with both hands and stretched out, preparing for whatever he'd need to do. His eyes peered to the side when Akito started talking to him instead of the captive. God he hated his face. That little glimmer of cockiness that always showed up when he looked his way. He just wanted to grab his perfect hair and- [break][break] He'd gotten lost in his thoughts and nearly missed his instructions. Shit. All he caught was the notion to go ahead and fuck him up. [break][break]
Through grunts and yelling Kane went at the man with no hesitations. Every once in a while he'd pause and offer a soft look, asking if he was ready for Mr. Miyasaki's way yet. Without a confident answer, he'd continue. He'd also often look back to Akito. The lazy bastard just standing by while Kane did the grunt work. His smile lit a match inside Kane. [break][break] After a while, he was paint-splattered in crimson. He pressed his shoe on the other's throat, listening to croaked words. "Do tell me I look to your standards now, Akito." Kane tossed his head over his shoulder, looking at the dark-haired man. His voice was playful, flirty. A jest to his earlier statement. "Or is this not my color?"
[attr="class","skullbody"]Kane would be lying if he said he didn't like the warm reaction his teasing got out of the other. It warmed up his mood just the slightest to ease some tension. He held his smirk while he listened to him retort. Blondie was a cute drunk, if such a type existed. He didn't expect to meet someone so gentle looking in a scum bar like this. But he would take what he could get. [break][break]
"So it is," Kane peered his eyes to his empty drink and then back again. Before he could do something about it himself Blondie slid him one of his. "If you're sure," his eyebrows raised, only being polite and not turning down a free drink. Before he could overthink it, Kane swallowed the shot. He didn't take his eyes off Blondie as he did. “Better to drink with a partner, yeah? Have a fun night.”"Oh I agree," He smiled, a twinge at the end of the lips. Blondie didn't even wince at the alcohol, which maybe he shouldn't have found surprising, yet it was. An interesting person indeed. [break][break]
A split second before Kane knew he wanted to continue speaking to him, Blondie had left. He stiffened back up in his seat, slyly trying to catch where he went but was unable to. Of course, the only intriguing guy he'd seen here was off so soon. The rest of the sweaty messes in this bar were looking worse for wear now.[break][break]
He considered leaving. Or settling. Or waiting. Nothing really was striking his mood. He took another two shots and was just dizzy enough to feel relaxed. He danced with someone who quickly started to irritate him, and eventually excused himself to the restroom to get away from him. If he was in there longer than five minutes he was sure the guy would forget about him and he could ease his way out of the place. It was about time to give up on finding any good in here.[break][break]
He pulled his sleeve past his wrist and pushed the door without touching it with his skin. The bathroom smelled of smoke and moisture before he even walked in. Immediately he was stopped in his tracks by a couple having at each other over the sink top. His upper lip curled instinctually and he hissed out an annoyed "Excuse me-." It took a good second to realize what was happening. It wasn't just some drunk couple mistaking it for their bedroom. [break][break]
"Break it up," Kane grabbed the redhead by the back of his collar and pulled him backward off the sink guy. Blondie, huh?"It's the men's room, not the fuckin love hotel. Get the hell out of here man," He spoke specifically to the redhead. His head was angled up and his gaze narrowed. [break][break] "Mind your own business, asshole," the redhead flared while he wiped his own spit from his face with his sleeve. [break][break]
"You don't want to start anything, I promise you," Kane nearly laughed, a flicker of a smirk at his mouth. [break][break]
"Mind your own fucking business-" the redhead charged at him. Kane swooped out of the way, thankful the redhead was as drunk as he was, else he might not have moved fast enough. He elbowed behind him, striking the man between his shoulder blades and causing him to stumble to his knees. [break][break] His full attention turned towards Blondie. "Let's go." He grabbed the young man's wrist and pulled him out the door, across the bar, and out front to the cold winter street. He continued on with him down the road, really hoping the red idiot didn't follow. Kane wasn't in the mood to fight tonight. [break][break] Eventually, he tucked them in between two buildings. A small dark alleyway they could hide. The cold air stung his nose. "You alright?" Kane asked quietly, seeing his breath between them.
[attr="class","skullbody"]The base drum of the bar speakers pounded at his headache with each beat. Kane's evening had been needlessly complicated, running from a crowd he'd rather not deal with at a bar some blocks down. His inability to frequent his favorite place lead him... here. His golden gaze scanned the crowd while he took his second shot of the evening. He grimmaced at his small glass. He ordered tequila shot but the contents were iffy. Either way, it started to clear the nagging pain at his temples.[break][break]
Without a schedule for tomorrow, Kane wanted to take every advantage to have a full night. Something different and a little sultry. He eyed a stranger across the room with streaked red hair. He thought he was looking towards him, only to notice his eyes drifted more right. It made him finally notice whoever was next to him. A small blonde with a dizzied stance, ordering another drink it sounded. 'Probably unwise' he thought to himself, noticing how intoxicated he was already. But who was he to recommend good decisions?[break][break]
As if the other could hear his thoughts, the blonde turned his head at Kane and smiled a hello. He was a little beam of sunlight in the murky club, huh. [break][break]
"Tequila." Kane looked down at his empty shot glass and back to the stranger. The other's elbow leaned against the table made him seem casual, or like a sweet flirt. He absolutely must taste like sugared lime. "I would ask you the same but, maybe a better question would be what haven't you had." Kane flashed a gentle smirk to play. In the back of his head he wondered if it annoyed the red-haired guy to see them talking. It was a nice feeling to think so.
[break]
[attr="class","skullinfo"]295 WORDS / Amane Yoichi
[attr="class","skullbody"]Kane could feel his pulse through his jaw. While worked up from having to drag a 150 pound man through the building at knife point, and he really gave all the credit to Akito. The sleek other really knew how to boil his goddamn blood. From the start of this job he already was clenching his fists and jabbing glares at him. It wasn't uncommon for the two. Infact they worked together more often than Kane would like to admit. 'Worked together'. More like Kane playing assistant while stabbing the man to death with his eyes. No matter how Kane raised his rates that fucker would always pay up. Damn pretty boy who wouldn't get his hands dirty. Every time he accepts a job for Akito he swears it's the last. This time for sure.[break]
Kane snarled at the coo of 'puppy' that was used to describe him. Akito probably did only see him as a dog. "Watch yourself. This mutt can bite," he spoke lowly through gritted teeth. He swatted the other's hand away as fast as it came to touch his forearm. He swore Akito was going to make him shatter his teeth one day.[break]
If one thing could help, it was his ability to take out his frustration on whatever bag of dirt kneeled before them. He didn't know what Akito wanted with this greasy salaryman. He didn't care either. He was here to be the fists and nothing more. [break]
"Nothing a gentle prod couldn't help," Kane notioned to Akito's playing question of their trip here. When he wasn't dragging, his knife was digging in the small of his hostage's back.[break]
Kane moved his weight from one leg to the other, stretching his arms gently with sleeves already pushed past his elbows. "Let's get this over with, Miyasaki. The less time I have to deal with your annoying little face the better." He spoke his second-half quietly, not that the hostage could even hear them through his own incessant whimpering. "Oh shut up," Kane nudged his foot on the guy's shoulder tossing him on his back. Idiot.
[attr="class","skullbody"]Thursday evenings were typically quiet. Kane's favorite evening, one without any schedule the next morning and also a dim crowd. He could be picky, but also careless on nights like these. However tonight was the day before a holiday weekend for the working class. White collared men and their pretty counterparts littered the bars. And on the night he decided to try somewhere new, of course. His lip inadvertently pulled up in distaste. He liked fulfilled expectations.[break][break]
"Excuse me, I haven't been addressed yet," Kane spoke quietly but sharply to the nearest passerby staff member. The small man apologized profusely and hurried off to get whoever was supposed actually attend to him. He sort of understood. It was busy, hectic even, and the night before a long holiday. He had to have some patience, didn't he? Surely the wait would lessen as Kane started tossing the stacked tips he gave. It was usually how it went. Generic service until his gratitude was shown in yen. Then it was like a five star personal restaurant and bar. This place he was new to. They would learn. He leaned back in his booth as he waited, unpinning the first button from his black dress shirt to get some air.[break][break]
"It's about time. Two doubles please." Kane only saw the worker come up out of the corner of his eye. Brushing him off, he held out some yen clutched between his first and middle finger. It wasn't until the reply that he tensed. 'It fucking can't be...'
[attr="class","text-area"] Of course the doctor would have a rebuttal, Kane expected it. It wasn't exactly a good look to have someone with a blood-drenched face leave from your practice. He wished everything was hidden beneath his clothes just so the other wouldn't worry. Or try to pity him. Kane wasn't weak to pain, did he look it?[break][break]
He leaned back as the doctor leaned forward. He tried to avoid stepping away too obviously, but when the other's hand prodded his stab wound he hissed and jumped back. A flash of anger on his face before easing back. He took his hand off his shoulder, annoyed at his own primal reaction. Just after his assured facade of handling pain. He gritted his teeth in embarrassment, although it could have drawn like annoyance.[break][break]
"Don't get the wrong idea," Kane tilted his head, slugging his shoulders to return to a neutral stance. His eyes peered down at him. "You caught me off guard. This is nothing, really. As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been through it." He motioned to his eye. "You don't have to baby me."[break][break]
He didn't want to be rude to the doctor, truly. Kane always found a bit of fondness in seeing him. His gentleness always could stir something within Kane. Although their relations had always been short and to the point. He'd never spent this long with him and it was starting to show. He didn't know how to act. The small smiles that shaped the other's lips had thrown him. Kane had to remind himself so many times to refer to him as doctor only. He had a hard time catching up with his thoughts when things turn personal.[break][break]
"You do plenty of good," Kane straightened his head back out, "You make a ton of money, don't you? You're in the Ajiwau, you're set."
[attr="class","text-area"] Although it was offered, Kane was still surprised at the doctor's grip around his arm. He'd known if he himself was offered an arm it would be swatted away. Dr. Morita was kinder and gentler than he, and it continually caught him off guard. [break][break]
The two stumbled their way through back passages and small streets until the doctor saw something he could recognize. Kane was nothing more than a glorified hand rail by this point, toting the smaller other more as they went. He hardly minded it, despite the strain it caused to his own injuries. The pull of his body and the breathy mumbles out his lips were far from a bother. As always, Kane's head was in the wrong place at the worst time. [break][break]
They'd reached the door and his arm was suddenly light and cold at the loss of the other's grip. The door lock clicked open and Kane followed inside, the sterile smell already searing his nose. It was no surprise to anyone that he had a hatred of medical places. One look at him and you could guess. The only reason he'd be here is that he trusted Dr. Morita. That's it. [break][break]
While they walked Kane noticed the pieces of dirt and gravel still wrapped in Dr. Morita's hair. A pit of guilt was building in his stomach. If he'd been a second faster they could have dodged that asshole, finished their transaction, and been on their way. And more importantly, the doctor would have been fine.[break][break]
Kane narrowed his eyes. A smile wasn't something he expected to see. A bit of light in the dark. If he had been a better person, maybe he would have reciprocated. Instead, he just folded to the gentle tug at his wrist and followed him in. [break][break]
The white floors, white walls, fogged glass windows, all of it was awful. He knew he shouldn't let his panic seep in but god damn it was getting hard. He clenched his fists instead, shoving them in his pockets. He had to remind himself that he was only here to accompany the doctor, make sure he got what he needed. He might have wanted to fix him up too, but that would not be happening. [break][break]
"Mm. I think you should care for yourself, first," Kane spoke lowly, eying the other. "You could have a concussion or worse, I only have a couple good scratches that'll heal themselves. I've been through worse." He shrugged off his injuries with his good shoulder. He was thankful for his dark button-down shirt, hiding the true saturation of blood that had taken over. It probably looked worse than it was for now. Nothing a shower couldn't fix.[break][break]
"Listen I'm..." Kane dodged his eyes away, head down and glaring at an innocent corner. "I didn't see that guy til the last second. I wasn't paying attention and I'm.. sorry. If the syndicate asks will you..." He trailed off quietly, not sure what he wanted to ask. "I need to know you're going to be fine. They'd never let me live if you ended up leaving us, one way or another." Cycling through his head was all the outcomes. Him leaving the Ajiwau out of fear, him having a medical issue and unable to stay, or worse him ending up dead. Kane desperately didn't want blood on his hands. Not his blood anyway. The idea of him dead bore a hole in his chest. His golden gaze turned back to the colorful man. He was ready for anything.
[attr="class","ooc-area"]needs a bandaid — morita shuichi
[attr="class","text-area"] Kane tensed up as the doctor rested against him. He didn't expect it, but before he could ease the other had already pushed away and tried to stand on his own. The distance in his words and the shock on his face were bad signs. Kane hated dealing with anything medical, but he knew there was no avoiding it now.[break][break]
"My wounds? You looked dizzy. Let's go. What's closer, your clinic or your apartment? Can you lead me there?" Kane spoke faster than usual, letting the panic seep into his tone. Sure he had gnawing shoulder pain that made his arm numb, but his concerns lied with the wellness of Dr. Morita. If they could get to one of his places, then he could take care of himself. Kane was irritated with himself for not securing the area before letting his guard down, allowing for the other to get hurt. He gritted his teeth, regret filling his lungs. [break][break]
"Here," Kane held out his good arm to allow the doctor to stabilize himself if he needed. His legs were working for now, so at least they'd get there.
[attr="class","text-area"] Kane let a sigh of relief escape his lips when he saw the doctor lean out from around a corner. He figured his injured shuffling would summon any medical personnel in the area. Although he didn't expect the panic as the other ran at him. He whipped his head around, looking for danger. Wait no, he was worried about him? The doctor even boldly tried to support him, making Kane try to stand up straight. He did try, but it wasn't working out just yet.[break][break]
"What? I'm fine, don't worry about me. You- Watch!" He noticed the assailant far too late, the doctor already hitting the ground pulled by his hair. Kane wiped his hand across his brow, freeing the drips of blood covering his one good eye. The other lifted his boot to land it hard in the doctor's face, but Kane's throwing knife swiped his ankle before he could. Instead, the foot landed right next to him just trampling some hair. It was a lucky toss, Kane thought. One he couldn't afford to miss. The assailant yelled and tried to charge Kane, limping and nearly falling on his way to. Kane dodged, letting him stumble past. He came back for another tackle and met Kane's fist in his ribs. "Get the hell out of here," Kane hissed, holding up another smaller knife he carried. It was still enough to puncture a lung. The other snarled and began to run off, limping still but knowing Kane wouldn't chase. [break][break]
The dark-haired man looked back to the other on the ground. He held out his good side and grabbed his arm, attempting to pull him to his feet. Although Kane's strength was barely hanging on. He could feel every wound in his body start to yell. The slash at his hairline, the deep stab in his shoulder, and whatever bruises and fractures decided to manifest in the last five minutes. But now his attention shifted to the doctor. He had no idea how hard he'd fallen. He just hoped his soft-looking hair had protected him. "Are you okay?"
[attr="class","ooc-area"]hair is just free padding, change my mind — morita shuichi
A smile tugged at one side of Kane's lips at the other's little line. He had such a youthful banter about him, his presence like taking some sort of drug itself. Every time he'd forgotten, their meeting would be a reminder. [break][break]
Watching the other rummage his bag, Kane crouched down too next to him. His elbow rested on his knees and his hands dangled in front. "Mm you know how it is. Every couple years finals and entrance exams line up. I should have been more prepared but," he shrugged with one shoulder. The white boxes tied with ribbon were in front of him now, beautifully packaged as always. He always found it so interesting how good of care Dr. Morita took with his deliveries. He'd certainly had other suppliers toss a plastic bag at him. So it was always a pleasure to have kind looking boxes. [break][break]
As he reached out to grab them, a rustled noise stopped him. It was loud, enough to echo the alley. It made him freeze. Without grabbing the boxes he slowly stood to his feet, moving around slowly looking for any movement. He started to hear whispers, two people hissing insults at each other. While he wanted to think it was a bad coincidence and there was just a scuffle nearby, his gut felt otherwise. He looked to the doctor, nodding his head up gently hoping he would take the queue to put the delivery away. [break][break]
A moment later a window broke and two men scurried down from it. They carried tall knives and covered their faces with wide hoods. "Go, GO," Kane yelled to the other, instantly jumping over him to stand in front. The alley had an exit on both sides, it wouldn't be hard to escape if he was fast enough. Kane ripped his knife from the side of his belt and stood firm. As one tried to slide by him to reach for the doctor Kane extended his arm, catching the other's blade across his shoulder. He grunted, using his other hand that wielded the knife to slice the other's leg. He fell to one knee. Just enough to delay him. The other came right at Kane, not using his knife but throwing swift punches he was not equipped to handle. [break][break]
The scuffle was rough, to say the absolute least. A number of slashes, prods, and fists later Kane had broken free and the others ran off when they realized he wasn't even the one who had the drugs. Idiots. Kane walked nursing his shoulder out the way he'd seen the doctor go. He truly hoped he got away unscathed. The syndicate would skin him alive if he'd let anything happen to one of their very very few doctor suppliers.
Once a month, right on schedule, Kane would meet his supplier for the typical exchange. It was routine, it was boring even, but also the most important thing he had to do. This time his supply had been dry for over a week. Finals and entrance exams lined up this year, making his stock disappear faster than expected. He was able to charge a bit higher even, good ol supply and demand. However he was sick of being asked endlessly all week for more. I'm out. They didn't like that answer. Especially some of his best customers. He'd probably lose them in the time it took for him to restock. But that was a problem for later.[break][break]
Kane hovered between a dark alley, resting his weight against a back wall as he waited. Dr. Morita. A young, good-looking, man who probably could have done a lot better for himself if he wasn't with the syndicate. It was a shame. But it was something you weren't supposed to ask about. Plus it really helped their cover to have someone so normal facing to be around. But no matter how many times they'd met up, it always piqued his interest.[break][break] "Doctor," Kane spoke lowly, nodding his head as the familiar figure came into sight. His red hair and young face never any less stunning. "I figure you got the wire, bringing double this time?"
[attr="class","ooc-area"]excite for pain — morita shuichi
Ungrateful. A word Kane heard in place of his name. Being the son of a high executive, his life was supposedly easy, comfortable, navigable, beautiful. The truth couldn't be any further. While he grew up in a penthouse in Roppongi, he'd often been left by himself for days at a time. An unattentive father and absent mother. He never knew her, and he wished he never knew him. He'd rummage through the place whenever he needed to get something, make sure Kane wasn't dead, and head back out. It wasn't until he was well past middle school that his father gave him the truth of the family business. He'd brought him on a job, a bloody and dangerous job. A weapons exchange gone wrong, leading to a shoot out and an accident. Kane lost his eye, his father lost his patience.[break][break]
He didn't have much say in his involvement since. Kane's father saw him more as an asset or a servant than any sort of son. He'd run errands for the syndicate after high school, which he was only attending for appearances. His father worked in the day as a CFO for the Himita Corporation, and worked for the Aijwau at night. He grew his money this way, more than doubling his net worth in less than 10 years. [break][break]
Kane's only peace came in the hours he was in high school. He had a few friends, more so people he was friendly with. His inability to see them outside of school hours pinned him as suspicious and un-invitable. The only person on earth he trusted was another boy, his first love. As if it wasn't difficult enough hiding their same-sex relationship, Kane was also living an entire lie to someone he cared so much for. It broke him apart every day, and when he was on the verge of being honest, it was over. Kane had become too distant for him, and he'd be going to a college abroad soon anyway. 'Ill miss you.'[break][break]
After graduation, he had given up. Kane became whatever the Aijwau wanted him to be. A small pin in a grenade, or the explosion, whatever the job called for. The next two years were a messy blur of crimes he couldn't even name. Between jobs he'd stay in luxurious places, with beautiful people, and whatever you asked for on a whim. It was too bad he was numb to it, else it might have been quite nice. [break][break]
The only times Kane feels more himself is on street-level. Local bars and clubs are toxicly soothing, where he can meet others who are vastly different than the upper class h's used to. Despite how much he loves to flirt, it wouldn't be anyone he took home. He was particular. Specific. He was looking for something, although what that was he couldn't name. And then when it came to morning, and he reached his arms over for that something, it was cold and different. And he hated it. Feeling wanted was such a pleasure, but he will not admit to himself that they do not want him, only his pieces.[break][break]
