Kazin

The atmosphere is as tense as the tightness in my chest. For the first time since I have joined the ranks of the Yamda clan, I find myself on the opposite side of Norbu. It is a strange feeling, and though I know I have not betrayed him of my own will, and I have not betrayed him still, I feel like a traitor.

We are seated at a table set in the center of a wooden pavilion beside a large pond. The water glimmers black, and a silver moon shimmers on its surface. Stalks of bamboo encroach upon the stony shores. Through the shadowy shafts, I can discern the dark outlines of guards in black polycarbonate armor, hidden, but ever present.

Upon the table is the customary jade flagon filled with liquor. Jade cups are set before the three of us—Norbu on one side, Jin and I on the other. I would have rather had it that I sit alone with Norbu, but Jin was tenacious in his desire to have a place at the table as the true face of the Seven Star Mob. Ako and the other mobsters stand behind us; Norbu’s many captains and lieutenants stand to his rear. Kala has chosen to stand halfway between the two parties—she’s better than me.

“It is strange, sitting here with you, with the objects of such formalities upon this table,” Norbu remarks to me with a wistful smile. “Do you remember those afternoons when we used to play our board games of strategy here?”

I nod. “I do.” In those days, I was unable to move the pieces myself, and so Kala moved them for me.

Norbu pours liquor into each of the three cups. Those of us at the table raise them in salute, then drink the fiery alcohol.

“So,” Norbu says through thinly veiled vexation. “What is it that the Seven Star Mob would demand of the Yamda, resorting to the use of my own clanmember against me at the negotiating table?” He motions to Kala. “The Kargu have mutilated my captain—I expect they have done so to Ganzama likewise, and that he is now in the custody of your Mob. I am aware of the threat that all of this”—He circles his hand at those opposite him—“entails.”

“Mugen of the Seven Star Mob is likewise aware of the Kargu threat,” I say. “He also understands what a takeover of Handata City by the Kargu would mean for its populace, as well as for the Yamda clan and the area of Royang.”

Norbu smiles bitterly. “Indeed, the Kargu have proven a formidable enemy. They move as one, as cells in a body with a single mind. They adapt to every situation with amazing speed. I have never seen its like.” He pours each of us another drink from the flagon. “So, what does the Seven Star Mob offer me?”

I take a deep breath. I know Norbu will not like these terms. I only hope he chooses not to direct his anger at me, the helpless messenger.

“The Seven Star Mob offers the following terms,” I begin reluctantly. “They will aid the Yamda in their war against the Kargu in the Tobashinta District, but the Tobashinta District only.”

The corner of Norbu’s lip curls upwards in a half smile. “And what would Mugen like in return for his aid?”

“He requires that the old treaties regarding Royang are honored,” I say first, to lessen the blow of what is to follow.

Norbu nods. “Of course.”

“He also requests that the Kyando neighborhood be made a territory of the Seven Star Mob, with all of the area’s businesses and establishments to fall under the protection of the Mob.”

The reaction is just as I expected. There are many exchanges of looks amongst the Yamda ranks, but none of them utter a sound. The clan is disciplined in that way, especially in Norbu’s presence. Norbu himself narrows his eyes and once again lifts his cup, directing us to drink with him. I follow his lead immediately, but Jin toys with his cup a bit, twirling it on the tabletop, before slowly bringing it to his lips to take a single sip.

“Kyando is…one of our most lucrative territories,” Norbu begins. “Mugen knows this. Why should we contest the Kargu for a territory we would not even control at the conclusion of this war? If we fall, the Seven Star Mob falls as well.”

“Mugen,” Jin says suddenly, “would like to remind you that he has two of your captains in his custody, as well as Kazin Moyashino.” Jin places his arms on the table and leans forward as ominously as he can. It would have been a laughable sight, but for the words he speaks. “Yes. Moyashino. We know he’s the Gunman’s son. We also know then, that that means—”

Norbu jumps to his feet and slams his palms on the table. He glares at Jin, his eyes emerald fire. “And if you know such things, mobster, then what is to stop me from having all of your kind slaughtered right here and now and taking from you your prisoners?”

I glance around me in confusion. It appears that they all know something I don’t.

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A chorus of crackling and blazing beams rings from within the pagoda and all around the pond. Our surroundings at once become a field of blue lightning and golden beam as the Yamda emerge from the shadows, cracklers and flameSwords held at the ready against the Seven Star Mob’s delegates. Ako and the others power on their own cracklers in modest answer to the fiery scene before them.

Jin’s lip curls in contempt, and I am afraid that he will say something that will lead to war between the Yamda and the Mob. Instead, he sips at his cup once more and proceeds to fill Norbu’s own.

“Because you are the Yamda, Norbu,” Jin says. “And I know your clan keeps the old ways of honor. That’s why Mugen trusted you with this meeting, knowing he’d put all his cards on the table, understanding how vulnerable that made him. He understands that pushing the Kargu from the city is not just for the gain or loss of territory, or for clan pride, but for the good of Handata City—so that things don’t get worse than they already are.” He glances up at Norbu. “Or have even the Yamda lost their ways of honor as well?”

Norbu stares in disbelief at the small, blonde-headed boy for a crowd of apprehensive seconds. He then bursts into laughter—at his signal, the Yamda captains and soldiers power down their weapons. The mobsters follow likewise. Norbu sits as Jin lifts his cup in salute. Norbu follows suit, and the two drink together. The knot in my stomach is still there, but I am relieved to see the easing of the tension.

Norbu looks around him at his captains. “This is why the Yamda have always kept honor with the Seven Star Mob.” He turns back to Jin. “Very well. However, regrettable as it is, we cannot merely concede territory without receiving something in return that would benefit the entire clan.”

Jin nods. “Understandable. We can’t make it seem like giving up Tobashinta to the Mob was a loss on your part.”

Norbu smiles. “Indeed.”

“And did you have anything in mind, Commander?”

“The Yamda will control the rest of Tobashinta, excepting Royang.”

Jin sips at his cup. “Of course.”

Norbu nods in satisfaction. “The Yamda will establish a presence in a number of establishments on the border of Kyando. The Seven Star Mob will pay a toll when passing through our Tobashinta territories to enter Kyando.”

“To make the Mob’s occupation of Kyando appear as something the Yamda are allowing, as opposed to a loss of control. For the optics.” Jin nods ponderously. “There is another thing. The Mob would like access to your clan Healers, that they might outfit us with bioEnhancements—proper bioEnhancements—so that we might be more effective in your fight against the Kargu.”

It is a hefty demand; perhaps even more weighty than asking for Kyando. Augmentation and bioEnhancing are clan secrets, the one thing that keeps them more powerful than the smaller gangs peppered throughout the city. Fitting the Seven Star Mob with bioEnhancements might increase their power greatly farther down the future. It is a risky gamble. But, I also know that Norbu is limited in his options; and from what I am gathering, it seems Norbu trusts Mugen to a certain degree.

Norbu’s brow creases. “Very well. But augmentation will only happen within Yamda territories.”

Jin smiles broadly. “I believe we have ourselves a deal, Commander. As for the prisoners, we’ll leave Kala with you for now. When you’ve set up a station for our members to be bioEnhanced, we’ll return Kazin, as well as Ganzama.”

“Very well.” Norbu’s eyes are hard emeralds. The Yamda, larger and more powerful as they are, were forced to acquiesce far more than they gained. One would be hard-pressed to call this meeting a true negotiation. However, I also notice that he is eyeing Jin with curiosity, and his look is not entirely disapproving.

“Keep this one close, Kazin,” Norbu says to me. “There is much you can learn from him.”

I nod reluctantly, but I am able to admit what I know to be true. Jin is a smarter kid than I’d given him credit for; and despite my reservations concerning his character, I discover—to my dismay—that I may have a newfound respect for him.

To seal the deal and the terms of the negotiations, everyone is given a last cup of liquor. We all stand, the Mob on one side and the Yamda on the other, and we raise our cups in salute. When we’ve all drank, we know that we are now allies against the Kargu.

I make my way to Kala as the meetings conclude. She nods at me.

"I'll see you soon, grunt. Stay safe out there."

I give her a hug. Her body tenses at first, then relaxes gradually. "You too,” I say.

When I let her go, a smile of endearment is painted across her face. I am glad that she is remaining with Yamda. Her body has healed for the most part. I can only hope that staying with her comrades will provide her heart with the healing it needs.

As we are turning to leave, I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder. Norbu is walking beside me, keeping pace.

“How are you, Kazin?” he asks. “How are they treating you? Are you eating well?”

I nod. “Mugen takes good care of us. He’s a good guy, Norbu. I can see why the Yamda had a treaty with him.”

Norbu grimaces. “A good man, but hardly good for the clan.” He sighs. “Though, a part of me is comforted that the Yamda are no longer alone in our stand against the Kargu.” As we near the gate Norbu gives me a warm squeeze on the shoulder. “Be careful, Kazin. The shadow of the Kargu grows deeper with every passing night, as does their influence over the city.”

“Don’t worry, Norbu,” I say with a nod. “I’ll be okay.” I pause in momentary hesitation. Norbu notices as his brow creases.

"What is it, Kazin?" he asks me.

"What Jin was saying back there, with my dad, and me being a Moyashino and..." My gaze flickers nervously towards Norbu. "What did he mean?" I feel alone and isolated, being the only one kept in the dark for whatever they were speaking of. "Who am I? What was my dad?"

Norbu nods slowly and purses his lips. We're quiet for a bit, before Norbu speaks. "After we retake Tobashinta, come to me. Then, I will tell you everything. I promise you."

I nod in relief and satisfaction.

When we arrive at the gates, Norbu leaves me with a parting glance, meant to encourage but with the mist of disquiet in his eyes, before turning and heading back to his mansion. The gates close shut behind us, and the mobsters start up the transport van. I catch up to Jin before we enter the vehicle.

“Hey, Jin,” I say, “that was really admirable, what you did back there.”

He scowls at me. “Still doesn’t mean I like you, asshole.” He hops into the van.

I suppress the laughter of disbelief bubbling inside my throat. I shroud my face with a solemn look before I follow Jin into the van.