It was a rocky morning as the car rumbled across the bridge. Surprisingly enough, he was leaving the Bronx. Christian was on his way for Manhattan.
He looked out the window, seeing the East River sprawl before the horizon. Today however, he didn't get to hear the quips of the the fiery vixen. She stayed behind to check on the people in the hospital. Even for a immortal being like him that collected souls.... the night still weighed heavy upon his mind.
"Driver, where will be going for this meeting."
He inquired, peeling away from the view of blissful emerald waters and to the man driving.
"Well Boss." He began. "We's be going to Upper Manhattan. To Central Park of all places. They informed up to meet at the lake."
The driver looked into the rearview mirror, somewhat sheepish as he saw the unnatural gold pierce through his soul.
"Uh... Boss, Can I ask ya somethin'?"
Christian raised his eyebrow, an indication he may proceed. The driver looked back to the road and stopped at the red light.
"Is.... everything okay with da Don? I ain't questioning my Family.... Howeva', isn't she suppose to be here as well?"
The voided being actually pondered this a while back. Christian insisted she came with, but it was already as if she made up her mind. Phoenix seemed shaken up as it was. He began to formulate how to properly say it without making her lose face.
"Well, she wanted me to take the head on this while she meets with the affected families. Not only to show that the organization they pay to protect them care; but to also help keep others mafias from trying to take advantage of the chaos."
The driver nodded in satisfaction hearing the words of the Underboss. He began to drive again once the light turned green.
"Our Don really do care about us. I'm glad to see her beautiful heart extends to ours clients."
Christian gave only a soft smile in return. It seemed even with simple words, the mortals of this realm showed respect and loyalty.
The car soon slowed to a stop, the engine turning off. The driver hastily got out of the car and open the door for Christian.
"Thank you, I never got your name."
The Deathly being asked as the driver closed the door when he got out. He tensed up but held out a hand to Christian.
"Eddie, Eddie Rogers Boss. Everyone calls me Slick though."
"Well Eddie." Christian reached out and shook his hand. "I would like you to be my guide. Despite being well placed, I'm none too familiar with the Five Boroughs. Or the landmarks within for that case."
"I-It'd be a honor Boss!"
Eddie shook Christian's hand vigorously. Almost to a point where Christian began to regret it.
He cleared his throat before gesturing, in which Eddie quickly took the lead.
-------------
After a few minutes of walking, the duo found the lake in which the meeting was to take place. Without many people out, it was not that hard to pick out who they were to meet.
Sitting on the bench, was a somewhat elderly man. He donned a grey suit, just a few shades darker that the sheen of his slicked back hair and goatee. On his left hand, was pitch black glove, no doubt to hide a loss due to punishment.
Even with the aging scar that ran down his cheek, one could almost consider him a silver fox.
"Ah, from the family I presume?"
The man spoke, his gravely voice somehow of a compliment to his attire.
Christian nodded and gave a deep bow. The man only laughed and waved a hand.
"It is good that you have practice such formality. However, there is no need to be formal in such a public place."
"Ah, I apologize. My name is Christian Marik. May I know yours?"
Christian said as he placed a hand to his chest as a sign of peace. The man nodded and gestured to the seat next to him.
"My name is Ittomori, the head of the Aoi Akuma. May I ask as to why the Don did not show herself?"
Ittomori asked as Christian sat besides him. He however, shook his head and sighed.
"She put her trust in me to attend this meeting while she personally sees to the families that got in an unprovoked attack against her life. I was there myself."
Ittomori listened, nodding his head.
"To put her trust in a Underboss means that you have struck a deep chord with her. I am sorry that you had to experience the pains of life in a Organization."
Ittomori began, sighing a bit.
"We were estatic to hear that Phoenix Familia wanted to reach out to us. However, my family is currently under a assault as well."
He looked to Christian and touched his gloved hand.
"I would say it be an honor to help, but we must ask of your help in return. My advisor and some of his crew have been caught by another Yakuza syndicate. They are expecting a ransom, and have given us proof they have them."
He stopped and looked down.
"I ask that you help save them. On behalf of The Aoi Akuma, we will pay any price to get them back safely."
Ittomori began to kneel on the ground
"You do not have to prostrate yourself Oyabun(1)..."
Christian stopped him, as he felt his heart tense in pain. The man screaming to save his sister echoed once again in his ears. He stood up and reached into his pocket, pulling out a package of thin black clove cigars.
"You care about your family as if they were carved from your own bones. I have seen many Yakuza in my time, and none hold the testament of will and courage that you do."
He took one out, lighting it up to let a cherry glow appear in it's wake.
"I would like you to give all the information to my friend Eddie here, and I will personally see that your family comes back home."
Eddie quickly stiffened up and pulled out a notepad and pencil, while Ittomori was a bit shocked by the man before him.
"Thank you Christian, if you are able to do as you say... I will personally become a bonded brother to you."
"There is no need to go that far, all we ask is that you help us in return."
Christian said, somewhat startled by the offer the being gave. He gave a slight bow to the still kneeling man and went to walk.
"Oh, and before I go... Pray to a Shrine that possesses a Shinigami(2) tonight.."
Christian's words seemed to have caused even more confusion to both the Head of the Aoi Akuma and now Eddie.
However, he did not care...
He was already planning for tonight...
----------
(1): Oyabun-The absolute leader of a yakuza clan. He has an advisor along with an army of advocates, accountants, secretaries and advisors. A literal translation for "Foster Parent"
(2): Shinigami- [A.k.A Death Gods or Soul Reapers] guardians of the souls who are going through the circle of transmigration. In ancient times, they were known as Balancers