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The Fox and the Hound

Summary:

A trail of blood led out of his apartment, which had the door broken inwards. Inside, his house was a mess. She'd obviously fought back, and hard. One of her blades was embedded in the wall by the door, another was coated in blood and left abandoned on the floor.

His ears were ringing with a single note as he took in the state of the room. She was taken, stolen from him and his heart couldn't take it. Not again.

"BOSS!" Nishida broke the furious trance Majima was under. He was standing at the door, holding a bloody towel to the side of his head. "Boss they took her. No one got a good look at ‘em but Rinji says they weren't speaking Japanese or English."

"Damn it!" He threw the chair next to him across the room and grabbed his bat that lay next to the shattered TV. It too was bloodied and had a new little dent near the middle. "I'm finding her. One, cuz she's mine, and they took her. Two they laid out a hit in my damn house and roughed up my guys! Get the boys ready. We're takin the fuckin streets."

"On it boss."

Notes:

I messed with the timeline a lot just so that this all made sense. I'm all for falling hard and fast but it still needs to be believable for me to buy it. So this isn't a slow burn but it ain't heckin' fast either. It's a controlled burn. Let's call it that. The events in the game happen over the course of a few days, here a few weeks.

Chapter Text

"Majima... why." It wasn't a question, he was done asking. He'd gotten used to Majima's antics of stopping him whenever he was spotted in the streets, even jumping into fights he was already in the middle of. Watching him slowly pop up from a manhole in the streets however was a level Kiryu didn't think the man would stoop to. 

"I hafta make sure you expect me when you don't expect me Kiryu-chan!'"

“That doesn’t even make sense!”

“It doesn’t have to! Just ready up those fists and get to punchin’!” Combined with the obnoxious laugh and the ridiculous dance Goro was doing Kiryu would love to do nothing more at the moment. But he was in a rush, he didn’t exactly have time to waste in a fight that would likely take most of his strength. 

“I’m in a hurry Majima—“

“When aren’t ya?!” He laughed. 

Fair point… but he refused again. Majima was about to reply when shouting was heard in the alley to their right. It wasn’t uncommon in Kamurocho to hear such sounds. It was uncommon for it to happen at noon. Many words were shouted, most of them incoherent, but two in particular stood out. 'Foreign bitch.' Kiryu sighed, it was the lead he was following. Someone who, according to the Florist, was also looking for Mizuki. He started for the alley when Majima held a bat at his chest to stop him. 

"You're not gonna walk away from me without another word are ya?” Again his deadly expression was impossible for Kiryu to truly read. “After all that effort I went through to hide." 

"You don't want to find out what foreign woman has yakuza brass running?" 

Majima considered it for a second, before letting the bat slowly fall to his side and letting the familiar impish grin grow. They marched towards the alley together, Majima's theatrical gait in heavy contrast to Kiryu's stoic stroll. Several suited men rushed past them heading towards the street, some bloodied, some barely able to walk properly. 

He hated to admit it, but Majima was intrigued by what kind of woman could lay such a beating on so many. "Hey Kiryu-chan, what if she wants to fight us? You're going to stick to ya rule?"

"Yeah."

"Tch. Ya okay." Goro rolled his eyes and watched the path fill with more people. Street brawls were always a spectacle… when it was a good fight at least. More often than not however, it was one-sided and dull. Occasionally Majima would step in, but he knew Kiryu's bleeding heart made him incapable of walking by without getting involved. 

They easily pushed their way through the crowd. There were two larger men left facing off against a tan skinned woman. Foreign indeed, he thought as curiosity began to set in. He watched her lithe form stand perfectly still in trained discipline. She didn't even flinch when one of her opponents shouted a threat at her. In one gloved hand she held a long metal pole, poised for a strike. With the other she taunted, the gesture matching the coy smile steadily growing on her face. 

The man on the right charged her, but with a flurry of blows from her polearm he was quickly rendered unconscious. Majima barely even blinked and he was down. He heard Kiryu swear under his breath and for once Majima agreed. Her final opponent pulled out a gun and Goro scoffed, no one had respect for a good fight anymore. Something the woman also seemed to feel. She laughed once, and shook her head with a condescending sigh. He aimed at her and fired, missing just over her shoulder. By now many bystanders had run off at the sight of the gun, leaving a token few brave souls and the two ‘friends’. 

The mystery woman twirled and brought her staff against the man's hand hard, probably breaking a few fingers. He dropped his gun with a clatter and recoiled his hand to his chest. "Stupid bitch!" The woman only smirked in response. "You're on everyone's shit list now!" She shrugged nonchalantly, leaning on her pole and watched him try to gather himself for another bout. Her brow seemed to furrow in sympathy. She let her pole drop and drew a knife, holding it point-up and offering it to the man. He eyed her hesitantly, and she wordlessly gestured for him to get closer. 

Kiryu glanced over at Goro who shook his head grinning. The large man inched close enough to take the knife with his left hand when the look of pity on her face was replaced with what could only be described as rage. Pure rage. She flipped the knife with practiced ease and stabbed it deep into the man's shoulder, shocking him and those remaining. Majima however, practically cackled. 

"You think this is funny!?" Reinforcements arrived. Four other Yakuza brass showed up and surrounded them. 

"Hell yeah! He fell for the oldest trick in the book." Majima slowly turned to face them all, enjoying the sight of them recoiling as they realized who he was. 

"Majima-san, I—"

"Ho ho what? Ya thought I was just gonna let ya get away with ruinin’ the show?" Majima readied his bat and egged them on. "Kiryu-chan! Help me with this and I'll call it even!"

"I have no reason to fight them." Kiryu shrugged and leaned on the wall close to the mystery woman. He realized her polarm was gone and nowhere to be seen. She watched in general amusement as Majima made quick work of the offending Yakuza brass. Turning to face Kiryu, she quietly voiced a timid hello, such a taciturn response seemed out of place with the woman they just watched fight. 

"Why were they after you?" He watched her open her mouth to reply before closing it with a click of her teeth. 

She thought for a moment, tapping her nose and looking around. Eventually gesturing to one of the unconscious idiots then pointing at her breasts. 

"He touched you?" She shook her head then made a gesture for money. "They offered you money?" 

"Yes."

"So ya do speak!" Majima sauntered up with the bat across his shoulders and wide grin to match. "And here I was thinkin' ya were a mute."

"No."

"So what then? These dudes just accosted the wrong woman?" Majima joked, kicking one of her victims who was starting to stir. He wasn't normally one for the knight in shining armor look, he usually left that to Kiryu. 

"Yes." She grinned. "Leave. Police soon." She pointed behind herself at the alley leading to the Champion District. Walking backwards she gave them one last smile before hopping onto an emergency ladder and hitting the latch that held it in place. She gave them a quick salute as the ladder raised with her along for the ride. 

"Wait!" But Kiryu was too late, and her coat flapped behind her as she disappeared onto the rooftops. "I needed to ask her some questions..." 

"Well then let’s go find her!" Majima gestured to the alleyways with a look of mischief and curiosity. "Don't even know her damn name!" 

"Is this because you want to help me or help yourself?"

"Look, sure she has a nice ass, but that's not why I'm tagging along. Mainly want to know what she's doing here." Majima shrugged. "Sometimes I'm actually curious, sue me."

"Fine."


They reached the final alley way and saw no sign of the woman. They'd been searching for hours now and didn’t even find a hint of her existence. The Florist had called her a ghost, and Kiryu was starting to believe it. She traversed the city mainly via rooftops which made her hard to spot for both the cameras and his network of homeless wandering the streets. 

"Kiryu-chan! We have some company!" Majima laughed and readied his bat. Kiryu turned to see a group of gang members had blocked them from leaving the alley. He hung his head in annoyance and barked at them to back off and leave them be. But no one listened. No one ever listened. 

The fight was quick, especially with how vicious Majima was. It was refreshing to have him on Kiryu's side for once. Something he knew was slowly running out. "Kiryu-chan, we're gonna need to take a rain check on looking for this girl at this point." 

Kiryu grabbed Goro and jerked him to the side away from the surprise attack. A man had stood up and brandished a knife when they weren't looking but a metal pole hit the culprit on the side of the head hard with a crack. The man was sent flying to the ground where a boot came down on his shoulder. Once again they both stood surprised by this woman, whom they could finally get a good look at. She had fierce green eyes, bright and wild beneath thick but well kept eyebrows. Long black hair was up in a bun and out of the way but stray wisps would tickle at her neck. She was tall compared to the women they'd met. Even by American standards. She stood equal height to Goro’s nose. Her stance was wide and her footing well placed for another fight, which made them realize they needed to talk or be beat up by a pole too. 

"We can't keep meeting like this!" Majima laughed, earning a smirk from her but not making her lower her guard.

"Why follow?" Her voice was smooth, low and sultry but without intention. Though her Japanese was broken and minimal, she seemed to get by just fine. 

"Kiryu-chan has questions, I just want to know your name." Goro tilted his head and watched her grow suspicious. 

"Name?" Kiryu nodded at her question and she sighed. "I." She gestured to herself. "Emiliana Rosario Quintanilla Linares." The foreign name fell from her lips so quickly and easily it left them reeling. The accent wasn’t one they heard before and she chuckled at their bewildered expressions. "More easy?"

"What? Like which name is easier to say?" Majima asked incredulously, she nodded. The two men stared at each other unsure what to say. “Well shit, none of em.”

"Rosa?" She offered with a chuckle.

"Rosa." Kiryu repeated with finality. 

"Well then Rosa-san," Majima teased. "Is there a reason you're out here in Japan and not... wherever ya from?"

"Yes."

"Will ya tell us?"

She shrugged and lowered her stance back to a casual lean on one leg. She pressed a button and the pole collapsed to the size of her forearm. It slid into place on a leather harness on her right thigh. The long black coat she wore reached her shins and covered her completely from the cold air, for now. It certainly had seen better… years. Majima hadn’t actually meant for his eyes to wander and when he met her eyes again she was watching him with a raised brow. 

"Follow." 

She led them to an emergency ladder again and motioned up to the rooftops. Above the streets of Kamurocho the early evening air was chiller than usual. Rosa smirked at the tallest of the two men trying to shrug off the cold like it was nothing. She stopped and turned to them once more. She pointed at the rational one in a suit. 

"Kiryu-san?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." She nodded and looked over to the other and tilted her head curiously. "Name?"

"Majima Goro." He gave a low sweeping bow which caused Kiryu to sigh and pinch his brow. Rosa walked up to him and flicked him on the shoulder. "Hey!" 

"Clothes!"

"Who needs 'em?" He grinned and leaned into her space. 

"Tch. You." Unfazed by his invasion, she waved her finger at the sky. There were a few scattered fluffy clouds but the breeze was cold and biting. "Snow tonight." 

"I'll live." 

"We'll see about that." Kiryu deadpanned, quietly enjoying the fact that he wasn't the one being picked on.

She smirked at them and spun around, back to her task of leading them somewhere. Hopping across the narrow alleys and landing on different roofs wasn't a method of travel either men were fond of, but Majima couldn't help but notice the ease in which she could trapeze across the city. She was practically flying. It was no wonder everyone had a hard time finding her. 

"Yo! Rosa-san, wait up a sec." Majima was barely able to catch his footing on the last leap. 

"No. Strong, follow."

"Are we at least almost there?"

"Why? Cold?" She turned and walked backwards for a moment, a shine in her eyes that suddenly made his heart skip a beat. 

No. No, not again. He shook his head, but failed to smother the idiot grin. Something Kiryu was unfortunately quick to notice. 

They finally reached a rooftop that was surrounded by pallets of abandoned items and tarps. Inching their way around the back edge of the building led to a small opening in the walls. A few space heaters were plugged into several outlets that had kept the makeshift house incredibly warm. She gestured to the well kept office chairs and picked up a tray. She came back with it filled with cups and various fruits to bring to her guests. 

"What you want…. Umm…know?" She sat down across from them and picked up a board and marker and waited patiently.

"Soooo… where are ya from?"  Majima sang the words as he reached over and grabbed a glass of water, quietly surprised at the work out the trip had been.

"Mexico."

"Why are you here?" Kiryu watched her curiously. 

This time she took to the board and wrote out a proper response. 

I can not tell more than it is personal. I am looking for someone. I think you are also. My person met with Mizuki at her bar. Is that who you are looking for?

"Yes. What do you know about her?" Kiryu sat forward in his seat, but sighed when she shook her head and erased her response. 

Majima watched her write, think, then write again. For someone who had very little spoken Japanese practice, he was impressed with her ingenuity. He stood up and let those two discuss what they needed. He meanwhile wanted to learn more about her . She was smart, and it showed in the little things. She rigged wires and cables to steal electricity from the building she was on. There were several candles besides newspapers and magazines that she'd taken notes of. He knelt down and looked through all of them, basic rumor mill stuff, nothing important, but each sound broken down and noted with its appropriate mark. This was how she was learning to pronounce things. Another note pad was sat atop the tv, with more additions to her vocabulary. 

He glanced over and saw her and Kiryu still discussing something to do with the girl, and while curious, he was told specifically to keep his head out of that business for now. He flipped to a different page and wrote out each letter and the sounds she wrote that matched them. Then he wrote a few words that may be useful to her and their English equivalent. Then a thought struck him, what if she didn't know English? He barely did himself but she wasn't even from America. 

"Yo! Rosa-san!"

"¿Mande?" 

"Don't know what that means, but do ya know English?"

"Enough."

"Cool thanks!" He returned to his work, keeping the basics, basic. It wasn't much but something in him wanted to help her. She was making good headway on her own, clearly reading, writing and understanding was there. Pronunciation and sentence structure seemed to be what kept her from diving fully into the language. It was understandable, say the wrong thing the wrong way and you end up with a knife to the gut and left in an alley to bleed. Especially around here. He felt his phone go off in his pocket and sighed at the interruption. A message from his second in command. An urgent meeting he needed to be at tonight. He glanced at his phone then at the notebook and a grin appeared. 

He quickly scribbled out a note of his own and folded the top corner before setting it back on the TV. Kiryu was done talking about what he needed and was getting ready to leave, Majima would have to do the same soon. 

"Watch out Kiryu-chan, never know where I might be hiding next!" 

"Think you can leave me alone for the next day or so?" 

"No can do!" 

With an annoyed grunt Kiryu left. Goro glanced over at the woman, trying to hide the damn nerves that came from nowhere. This wasn't his first time around a beautiful lady. What was wrong with him? He cleared his throat and shrugged. “Ya got any questions for me?'

"No."

"Ouch. Ya tryin’ to make me jealous ?" 

She smiled and eyed him up and down, taking in all of him, he suddenly felt self-conscious. There was something about her stare, like it could see every tiny secret he'd tried so desperately to hide. "No." She replied again. "What… um… you do?" She nodded over to her notebook set neatly aside. 

"Left ya some notes. Ya did great on your own but I figured I'd lend a helpin’ hand." 

"Hmm." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Very kind."

"Ain’t I? Just the best." Then she giggled and he had to find a way to leave quickly. Before he ended up falling deeper into this hole he'd now found himself in. Would it be too late to take back the note he'd left her? No, be a man for fuck’s sake. "That got ya huh?"

"No." She fought the laugh on her face, shaking her head and desperately trying not to break. "Far. One hour." She nodded to the exit. His cue to leave. "Can stay." She shrugged. "But walk one hour."

He was torn, she was something so new, so tantalizingly fresh in his day to day. He wanted to stay, wanted to learn more, and yet if the walk back would take him an hour it would be best to head out sooner rather than later. 

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. At least he knew where to find her now... sort of. "Yeah... I should get goin. Got things to do to ya know?" She nodded. "See ya around?" Again a nod. "Good, hate to think you savin’ my ass was going to be your last impression of me."

She chuckled and he wished he could keep the sound. It wasn't a forced giggle or laugh like most girls in the clubs or cabarets. It was real and honest, she had an ability to let go and just be free. All apparent from her damn laugh. "Alright well... see ya around!"

Chapter 2

Notes:

So obviously she'll speak Spanish now and then. I won't subject everyone to google translating stuff so anything said in Spanish will be between brackets.
"[It'll look like this.]"
Just know, no one's gonna have a clue what she's saying. Just you precious folks.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Majima meandered the streets, relatively lost in thought and watching the crowds for any sight of his favorite pastime. Honestly jumping in on an ongoing fight against Kiryu was the best way to surprise him. On his walk he’d caught bits and pieces of the city’s rumors that ran rampant tonight. Someone was dropping in on unsuspecting thugs, beating them, sometimes even lighting something on fire then disappearing as quick as they showed. 

Probably some vigilante trying to do the impossible. Occasionally those would pop up. What caught his attention though was that one gossiper seemed adamant this person was a woman. Course, everyone gave him shit for it but it was enough to make Majima wonder. 

His phone went off, a call rather than the usual messages he received. He wasn’t a fan of calls…

“Hello?”

“Majima-san?” A woman, her voice immediately familiar and being in his ear might prove problematic. He didn’t even think he had a thing for voices, but hers was different. “Is this the correct number?”

“Yo Rosa-san! Your Japanese is much better!”

“Had someone be kind and leave notes. Still not great but yes much better. Thank you.”

Majima twirled the bat in his hand as he walked down an alley towards a main street. He didn’t even know where he was. “What’s up? Didn’t think you’da taken me up on my offer.”

“Ass. I would like practice but not the kind you said? [No. It's another word...] Suggested.” Then she turned the tables, dipping her tone to a low huskiness. “I do not need practice for that .” Majima held the phone away and took a deep breath before going back to his usual tone, but she was too sly. “Stop waving that bat around. You could hit someone. Someone not bad.” 

“Fuck, you can see me? Where are ya?”

“If you find me, I will buy dinner. You like games. I watched you play them with Kiryu-san all day.”

“Ya been watching me all day?”

“No, but you are hard to… hmm [how do I say it]… oh ignore! Hard to ignore when passing by. There is a green sign above me that says 'buy tickets' and I do not have a cell phone. That should be enough clues.”

The phone clicked with a ghost of her laugh and excitement bubbled in his chest. There weren’t many phone booths anymore, most people having cellphones made them relatively outdated. In front of him was a pawn shop to his left was Pink Street across from which was a phone booth. No one was inside but he didn’t expect her to stick around. To his right was another larger street, this one was busy and the edge of a phone booth was just barely discernible. A flashing green glow illuminated the wall beside it. Easy game, he thought. Then he stared at the pawn shop. Surely there’d be a prepaid phone in there he could get. No sense having her go ages without one.


Rosa was leaning against the wall by a shop entrance. Her hood was up and covering most of her face. She knew she looked suspicious but she’d draw more attention without it. She’d already been stopped by an officer but when she explained, he understood and let her go without searching her... thankfully. Between the knives and her staff she was certainly armed to the teeth. She’d gotten nowhere with her search today, and when she reached out to Kiryu he was just as lost. Both of them had taken to the streets in their search and neither had luck on their side. 

Footsteps came to a stop in front of her. Three pairs of men’s shoes. None of them the shiny toed ones she saw Majima wearing the day before. She sighed as the one in the middle began his taunting. 

“Hey there pretty lady, what’re you doing out here all alone?”

“[I really don't feel like doing this.] Not your business.” She grinned, readying the knife up her sleeve. 

“What?! You think you can talk back to me like that?!”

“You think you can talk to me at all. Very strange.” She made a face that clearly was meant to mock them and shook her head. “I do not know you. Leave me alone.” 

“You know what? I don’t think I will.” The man laughed. “I think we should take this little bird to a hotel huh guys?” 

“If ya touch one hair on her head the only place you’ll be goin' is the bottom of the river.” A new voice, taunting and dangerously jovial given the statement it just made. Rosa looked up and grinned at the one eyed man that had come to her rescue. Not that she needed it, but the sentiment was nice. 

The thug in the middle of the group turned around and shouted some threat at him but Rosa didn’t let him finish. She grabbed him by the collar and swept his feet out from under him, striking the back of his head against her knee and knocking him out cold. Rosa grabbed the second man by the hair and dragged his face along the wall, the strip of flint on her glove sparked and sent blinding shimmers at his eyes. Unable to see, she bashed his head into a nearby pole and drew the knife from her sleeve, coming to a stop at the last man’s neck. 

She couldn’t tell who was more shocked, Majima who was still trying to assess what just happened in under ten seconds, or the man with a knife to his neck who’d had both friends at his side just moments prior. She eyed him furiously, grabbing hold of his collar and almost lifting him off his feet. 

“Leave. Now.”

“Ok! Ok! We’ll leave! We’re sorry!”

“Hmm. Good. I do not believe you. But good.” She pulled the knife back and set him down, gently patting his cheek before spinning around and smiling at Goro. “Good job. You found me. Very easy puzzle. Harder next time.”

“If ya say so.” He grinned.

“Ass.” She lifted her chin in indignation and started for the food stand just down the street. 

Majima laughed and kicked one of the men on the ground for good measure before following. She still had her hood up, and he could tell she wanted to draw as little attention to herself as possible by how she maneuvered around others, hardly disturbing them. He reached out and grabbed her elbow lightly to get her to stop. He gestured to a ramen shop just beside them. When she nodded slowly he pulled her in and took her to a table in the back. She looked around both in fascination and anxiousness. 

"What?" He squinted his one eye. “Never had ramen before?"

"Only the kind in ummm... little buckets with hot water." She chuckled and toyed with something in her sleeve. Again the weird coiling sensation in his chest tightened. She looked so out of place and bashful in such mundane scenarios but in a fight, she lived up to her confidence. 

"Well we can't have ya come here and not have good ramen." He leaned his baseball bat against the wall and sat back. "Which instant ramen do ya like?"

"The red and black one."

"Ya know that's—"

"Very spicy, yes." She smirked. "Mexicans like spicy food, usually."

“Hmmm well I can get ya spicy if y’want.” She nodded furiously. “Ya like fish?” She made a gesture that seemed to mean ‘kind of’. “Ok. We’ll stick to pork and chicken then. Sit tight and don’t go runnin’ away.” Rosa smirked and made a show of getting comfortable in her seat, a sliver of that confidence slowly coming back. New things = scary. Got it, but why come to a whole different country? 

He ordered two bowls and some extra chili oil on the side in case it wasn’t enough for her then sat back down. “Here ya go.” She lowered her hood and he watched in fascination as her long hair draped over her shoulders. There was a slight curl to it that bounced as she moved. He watched her pick all of it up to tie it back and out of the way. 

When she meant practice, he'd thought about her speaking skills. Instead she asked him about the social norms and culture. He taught her how to use the utensils, not to tip, where to place her chopsticks, that it was ok to slurp, encouraged even. How to accept thanks, gifts, so many little day to day things he did without realizing. When they finished, she insisted he let her pay but he refused. They wandered around outside while he gave her a general tour. 

They arrived at the theater square and sat at a bench to watch the passers by. He finally turned to look at her, she'd kept her hood down, and her hair loose in the breeze. 

"So... Why are ya here?"

"Looking for someone." Her brow furrowed when she met his gaze. "Can I trust you?"

Such a blunt question, but then she was a blunt woman. Everything she'd done had been unapologetically her. "Ya can trust me. Promise." He held up a hand and smirked. 

She thought for a while, watching him carefully. She took in every detail of his face and, try as he might, he couldn't help but do the same back. She had a few freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, indiscernible if you weren't this close to her. That was when he realized how close they were, his arm around her shoulders and her all but sitting on his lap. He cleared his throat and moved his arm, thinking that perhaps she'd want her space. Rosa shivered and he immediately put his arm back. Dumbass, stop being shy...

"Rosa. You can trust me." He nudged her a little to get her to smile in that carefree way she could. 

"My brother. He was taken while on a trip." She sighed. "He has been missing for two years."

"Two years?"

"I am not stupid. He is probably dead." There was a crack in her voice that gripped at him. She stared at the ground and pushed through her explanation as best she could. Two years it took for her to save enough money for a trip to Japan and the fake passport. The two years she trained her body and skills to make sure she'd live long enough to find out what happened to him. "I want answers. He was all I had left... I am alone now. I want to know why he was taken from me. Tomas was my only family."

"I get that..." 

"He went to that bar up there." She pointed at the top of the tower. "He did not have that kind of money... I want to know why he went there. But no one knows. No one saw him. How could no one see him? He was tall!"

"Yeah but an obvious foreigner is easy pickings out here." He brushed her hair aside and lifted up her hood to hide her face. As though making a point that she was in danger too. His hand lingered on her hair, it was thick and heavy, there was just so much of it. "You need to be careful too." She sighed and made to stand up but he kept his grip on her shoulder. "Wait. Are ya still staying up on that roof?"

"I do not exist." She tilted her head in concession. "Can not rent an apartment with no name. Makes things difficult."

“Yeah that’s true… how about this? I got ya something." He pulled out the device he'd purchased for her at the pawn shop. "Just need to get a card and load it up but it's yours. Easier than usin’ a phone booth huh?"

She smiled as she accepted the gift just like he taught her to. He fucking blushes. Blushes ! He had to get this under control. “Yeah you're welcome. Come on, let's go get a card." They both stood and headed towards the nearest convenience store and let her in first. Inside they catch Kiryu purchasing some drinks. 

"Kiryu-chan!" Majima practically shouted it and Rosa watched Kiryu hang his head in defeat. "Don't worry we're done for now. Gotta think of new ways to surprise ya!" He reached around his friend and grabbed two prepaid cards and handed them to the clerk.  

"Not going to fight me for my drink or some other stupid reason?"

"Nah, I don't need to beat you up in front of Rosa-san." 

Kiryu glanced back at her and gave a quick nod in hello, which Rosa returned just as severely before cracking a smile. She watched Majima pay and walk back out motioning her to follow. He turned to say something to her when his phone went off. 

Whatever the message was, the smile fell off his face rather quickly. He stared at his phone then at the cards in his hand. 

“Did you get what you needed?” She tilted her head, he was obviously struggling with something. 

“Yeah. Yeah here.” He slipped the cards in her inside coat pocket and patted her head. “Listen, do me a favor and ummm go back home. Like right away. I’ll call ya tomorrow, probably. That sound alright?”

She looked more concerned than downhearted and Goro had to fight his instinct to beg her to go. She nodded slowly and instead of taking a step back and leaving she came up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Do not be stupid. Well… more than is normal.” She smirked and took several steps backwards before tilting her head and turning around. He watched her disappear into an alley and soon enough a shadow on the roof tops ran south. 

He touched his hand to where she’d kissed him. Incredibly bold of her, at least by Japanese standards… but he liked that. He smiled and shook his head walking back towards his family’s office. There was a job that needed doing, and he didn’t want her getting wrapped up in it too.


“Hey boss. Your phone’s ringing again.”

“Mmm.” Goro pushed himself to sit up. The stab wound was stitched up and healing well, but it still hurt like a bitch. He’d been out of commission for two days now having only just woken up that morning. “Yeah, hand it over…” He glanced at the unknown number in annoyance before answering. “Majima.”

“So you do live. Here I was thinking you being carried out of the batting center was the last time I would have seen you.” There was a hint of worry hidden in Rosa's chuckle that threatened to make him smile.

“Ya didn’t leave.” Majima sighed. “No one wants to listen to me these days. I ain’t shoutin’ nonsense ya know.”

“Most times you are Majima-San. You are right. I did not leave, but I knew you did not want me involved so I half-listened…” She scoffed a quiet laugh. “Are you well?”

“So formal.” He teased, happy to hear her speaking skills have progressed well in two days. “But yeah I’m holdin’ up. What about you?”

“Fine. I thought about what you said.”

“Oh?” Goro waved away Nishida who tried to help him stand up. He could move fine. It was just pain. He could deal with that. “Wanna talk about it in person?”

“Only if you promise to behave.”

“What is that supposed to mean? I always behave.” He threw on his blazer and gloves. Ignoring the look he was getting from his subordinate. “Look, I'll head over to your place. I’ll bring ramen and we can talk it out. Sound like a plan?”

“Sound more like a date if you ask me.”

“Ya want it to be one?” Goro’s feigned confidence was all that was keeping him afloat right now. He didn’t think he’d fall this fast and hard. “Cuz I can stop and grab some other stuff too.”

“Oh! You are not being specific!”

Uh-oh. He could practically hear the grin appearing on her face. 

Her voice dropped to the same huskiness she’d used before. “I suppose that means you are not alone. I have been looked at by many men in this town, Majima-san, but you were the first one to see me… and I appreciate being seen .” Goro swallowed nothing, and sat back down on the bed, practically defeated. “Come as you planned and we will see where the day takes us, yes? You do remember how to get here, or do I need to play fetch with the Mad Dog?”

“I— n-no I remember.”

“Good. Because I heard many things about you Majima-san. So let’s leave it up to fate. See you soon.”

*Click*

“You are so fucked boss.”

“What?!”

“That’s the face of a man in love, and you got it so bad.” Nishida laughed. “I won’t tell a soul. Don’t even know who the girl is boss. So the secret's safe. Just a friendly reminder that a lot of folks wanna see the Mad Dog in a kennel, and that girl could be the leash they need.”

“Got any other fantastic metaphors ya wanna throw my way or do ya plan on makin’ yourself useful?”

“Ouch man. So harsh.” Nishida laughed. “Want me to message Kiryu that you’re taking a break again or..?”

“Nah if I run into him it’s a fight if not then I’ll just stick to my plans.” He grinned and stood up with a flair. The pain meds finally kicked in. He grabbed a bottle of them and shoved it into his pocket. “Besides, she’s not a leash. She’s just as bad as me.”

“Cuz that’s what we fucking need.”

Notes:

If you follow me from my Dragon Age fics. I promise I'll get to it. <3

Chapter Text

Two weeks. They met up someplace, somewhere, every night for two weeks and each day was a new mini adventure. On day three he bought her a better coat, one with a hood that practically covered her face if she needed to hide. On day five she bought him a new eye patch, with added padding so it wouldn’t hurt as bad when he got punched in the face. On day eight he stayed at her hideout so she could stitch up his side. He’d insisted on a sword fight with Kiryu, which Rosa had to bring to an end before they both actually killed each other. Day eleven they spent in a bar throwing darts, and that was when he first noticed. 

Her smile took more effort to bring out, and her laughs were further in between. He wasn’t the type of guy to bring a girl flowers, nor did she seem like the type of girl to want them, but he finally understood why such a trivial thing was done. He wanted her to smile again. To find joy in something, even for a second. 

He hadn’t seen her yet today, but he did run into Kiryu. A fight would be good to clear his mind, but Kiryu was carrying the little girl he’d been asked to kidnap once already. 

“Yo! Kiryu-chan!” 

“No Majima, not now.” 

“Woah wait up!” Majima got in his way. “Is she bleedin'?”

“Yes, I need to hurry.”

“Where are ya taking her? The whole city is after her…”

“Why would I tell you?”

“Look I get ya, but ya ain’t gotta worry about me. Just the kid.” Majima sighed when Kiryu wouldn’t budge. “That doesn’t look deep but you should at least tell Rosa. She’s good at patching up.”

“…Ok. Tell her to meet us outside Stardust.” 

“Not needed.” A voice came from above. A familiar figure in the alleyway dropped down from the rooftops and slowly approached. “Let me see her.”

Kiryu adjusted the child’s weight so she could see where the bullet grazed her. Majima watched her gesture towards a bench and pulled out a small pouch from her side bag. The old detective guy was watching them and occasionally glancing at Majima, which wasn’t sitting right with him. 

“Got something on my face, old man?” He grinned maliciously. 

“Why are you helping?”

“Cuz I’m not a complete lost cause ya know!” Majima feigned offense before letting a wild smile take over his face. “Besides, smart of Kiryu-Chan not to tell me where he’s hiding her. I might get asked to go get her again.”

“Hmmm.” 

Rosa appeared beside them both and searched Majima’s pockets then the detective’s, she found an unopened pack of tissues and went back to the child. 

“She’s… different.”

“Yeah not from here in case ya didn’t notice.” Majima cleared his throat, not having meant to practically sigh his words. “Yo! Rosa-san, she gonna live?”

“She will be fine.” She finished wrapping a bandage around the girl's arm and offered her a pill and some water. “Here. Take this so it does not hurt any more.” The child nodded and accepted. “You are very strong.” She looked up at Kiryu. “If things go wrong and you need another place to hide her you can bring her to me. I will guard her.” 

“Thank you Rosa-san. I’ll let you know.” 

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Majima joked. “That way I can keep sayin’ I got no clue where she is.”

Rosa sighed and walked past them all, lifting her hood and shoving her hands in her pockets. Majima waved goodbye to the others and followed along. 

Date watched him lean into her space and her bump her shoulder into him jokingly. “To think, even that wild man found someone.”

“Yeah… she hasn’t been herself lately though.”

“Mister Kiryu, can you help her?” Haruka looked up at him pleadingly.

“What?”

“When she was fixing my arm, she said she was looking for someone too remember?”

“Oh. Yeah she did. I’ll see what I can do. Let’s get you out of here first.”


“Alright. I’m over it. Come on.” Majima grabbed her hand and dragged her into an alley and up a fire escape. Once on the roof he let go and threw his arms in the air. “I’m tryin’ ok. This is new to me. I don’t know what to do or how to help but ya gotta tell me something.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Somethin’s eatin’ at ya.”

“Nothing is eating me.” Rosa glanced down at herself and Majima had to resist the urge to laugh.

“No, I mean something is buggin’ ya. Bothering. It’s been days Emi.” She’d tried teaching him how to say her first name a few days ago, and it made her smile whenever he tried. Though she felt it would probably take months. Still, it showed honest effort, and people like them, that’s all they wanted. “You can tell me, I’m your friend ain’t I?”

Once again she looked at him as though she was evaluating everything he was. Before her brows furrowed and a sense of conviction made her stand up straight. “You are right. You are, and I trust you more than anyone. You… you deserve the truth… I have been in Japan for four months.”

Four months? How had he only heard of her until this one?

“Ok…”

“The first three, I was in Yokohama.” She spoke slowly, recounting how each lead took her somewhere else until last month when she ended up in Kamurocho. Since then she’d lost any headway she thought she’d had. “I… did not tell you the whole truth… I am sorry. I still did not know how much I could trust you… My brother was not here on a trip. He was here on business, and I worry that might have gotten him killed.”

“What business?”

“I…” She sighed and shook off her coat, draping it over the railing. Underneath she wore a long sleeved shirt that didn't quite fit her. Markings on her wrist caught his attention briefly before his eyes traveled down to where she lifted her shirts to show a bare section of her back. A large intricate burn scar, a branding of a set of initials. “Tomas and I were orphaned at six… I think. The man that took us in was a boss in the Cartel named Armando. He trained us from a very young age. We became the ummm… the muscle he sent when the job needed to be fast and quiet.”

“Assassins?”

“Sometimes. Sometimes we stole things, or blackmailed. We were supposed to be his last resort. We were his pride. Los Zorros de Benito Juarez. Foxes.” She lowered her shirt and threw her coat back on. “Over time we stopped being his last choice and…”

“You were the first thing he sent out.”

She nodded slowly. “My brother hated killing, but he was good at stealing. Not the best at fighting but good at sneaking and, threatening? I think that is the word. [I don’t know.] I was his opposite. I can kill, and have no feelings about it. Armando said it was because I was broken young.” She shrugged. “Do not know what he meant but it helped me do my job. I could fight better. Armando knew this. He knew what our strengths were… We work better together but I think he saw little future with my brother. So he sent him on a job without me knowing. I was in Nuevo León on another assignment when he sent Tomas to Japan. Said a Yakuza boss here was cheating him of money on shipments of heroin, and that Tomas was to...  look over? [No.] Take care of the business deals? I do not know the word.” She waved away her attempt. “In the end he had to collect. Either the money or his head.” 

She leaned on the railing and looked out into the sea of lights. “He knew Tomas would not be able to do it and he still sent him. I found out and … confro-[yes] confronted him. He tried to beat me, get me to submit…” Majima watched her hands tighten around the railing, anger bubbling in his own chest. “So I killed him instead. I took the fake passport he had made for us to travel in secret, as much money from the safe I could carry and I left. I can never go back to Mexico. The moment I do I am a dead woman, but I thought anywhere would be better than a life as a pet.” 

Goro walked up beside her and leaned on the railing too. “Ya thinkin' he’s still alive huh?”

“A part of me does. Some very stupid part of me, yes. But logically, I would not bet on it. It has been two years.” She lowered her head and pulled the tie from her hair. Letting it cascade over her shoulders like a curtain separating her from him. He reached across and tucked it back behind her ear. “Thank you for listening. I am just frustrated that I have found nothing since learning he was in Ares. Since then… it is like he never existed.”

“Tell ya what, I’ll keep an ear out. I don’t know of any family dealing with hard drugs though so it coulda been someone pretending. If that’s the case then we’ll all be wantin’ a piece of that action.” 

“You do not have to, I was just venting.”

“Nah ya got me interested now.” Majima shrugged. “Call it a thank you favor for stitching me up.”

Rosa smiled and gestured to his side. “How is that healing?”

“Good. Itches like a bitch though.”

“That mean it is almost time to take it out.”

“You just wanna see me half naked again, don't ya?” Majima wiggled his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes and grinned out into the night skyline. His stomach flipped at the soft dusting of pink on her cheeks. 

“Thank you Majima-San…”

“Goro…”

“Hmm?” Her expressive eyebrows did that scrunched up thing he likes when she looks confused. 

“Just uhh… just call me Goro. I think we’re friends enough for that, don’t ya?”

She watched him again, those wild green eyes never settling on any part of his face for more than a second. Her eyes scanned his lips and hovered there for a moment longer than the rest and Goro had to resist the urge to lean in. She smiled again and looked down at her hands. “Thank you… Goro.”

“S’nothin’.”

“That will take some getting used to.” She smirked. “Your name means hat in Spanish.”

“Hat?” She burst into giggles at his incredulous response. “It means hat?!” She nodded. Then the tiniest snort escaped her. She froze, covering her mouth and nose in embarrassment. 

Now it was Majima’s turn to double over laughing. It was such a freeing feeling, being with her made him forget his troubles. All there was, was them and a world of infinite mischief they could get into. They both recovered and took deep breaths, until soon enough they were just leaning on the railing, enjoying each other's company. 

“Hey wanna go throw darts? Kiryu-Chan beat me and I need to regain my pride.”

Her eyes lit up at a thought. “I have better idea.”

“Haw?” He turned to face her properly which may have been a bad idea, because suddenly she was pressed up against him. He swallowed nothing, desperate to keep his body under control. She had an impish grin on her face which wasn’t helping where his mind was going. 

“Mine uses knives.” She reached into his coat and pulled his dagger out. Taking a few steps back she twirled it expertly in one hand. “Follow.” Rosa hopped onto the next roof with a carefree laugh and Majima was left with no other choice than to obey.

Chapter Text

Dancing, that's what it was. They were dancing around the subject. Neither wanting to be the first to cross the line. She showed him how to throw knives that night and he was enthralled. She made them fly with such precision it was just as terrifying as it was impressive. He however, was garbage at it. Fighting with knives? He’s got that practically copyrighted. Throwing them? Lost fucking cause. Somehow he'd managed to lose two of her blades. He made a mental note to get her a whole new set. Many sets even. He just wanted to see her thrive. 

A group of gang members had shown up on their second night of knife throwing but at the sight of her hitting four targets in a row, in a matter of seconds… they all backed back out instead. She jokingly threw a blade at their feet and sent them running. 

Her laugh, that's what did him in. Since the beginning, that's what had him hooked. Not only was it the usual carefreeness, there was something else in there. Something dark and dangerous, and good god above did he want to know what it was. He picked up the knife and slid it back in its place on her belt. They were close to each other again, his hand now holding her waist and slowly climbing up her side. He was enjoying the tension it built, and he could tell from the crooked smile that she was too. He pulled her a step closer and grinned at her. 

"Wanna get somethin’ to eat?" His voice, low and rumbling, sent a shiver through her.

"Only if you pay. You owe me knives."

"I'll buy ya so many knives ya won't know what to do with 'em."

"Of course I will. I will throw them." She stepped away and he followed, making her grin grow wider. "But food would be nice. Yes?"

"Yeah... Waddaya want?" He took another step with her. She chuckled now, short and sharp like her damn knives. Everything about her was intoxicating to him. He practically needed to be in her space. Her back hit the wall of the little alcove they'd been using with a soft thump. His hand now on her back started drifting lower, he took her hand in his other and laid it on his chest. He wanted her to want him too. The need was sitting on his lungs, coiling so painfully for release. His eye lingered on her lips while her fingers traced the tattoos on his chest and shoulders. His hand let go of hers and held her face gently, faintly running his thumb over a small scar on her upper lip. "Rosa, what do you want?" 

It was a loaded question, a way to give her more time if she needed it but he had to ask in some way. He was being selfish for wanting more than the friendship they’d quickly fallen into but he'd be damned if even a single chance would pass him by. He held his breath as she inhaled to answer, the blood pounding in his ears making it hard to hear properly. 

"You." 

He kissed her not a second later, taking the rest of her breath away. The tightness in his chest swooped and he fell into … her everything. The feel of her lips on his, the weight of her arms wrapping around his neck, the scent of the cheap apple shampoo she'd been using lately. Everything about her was perfect and unapologetic. She kissed the same way she fought, hard and fast. A small moan escaped her lips and Goro took it as his cue to push his luck one last time. His hands took hold of her legs and lifted her into the air, wrapping them around his hips and bracing her against the wall. Her laughter said it all, and he wished they were somewhere else. 

"[Wait.]" She murmured, pushing his hands down to slowly lower her back to the ground. 

"What?" He lowered his head, kissing the sides of her mouth and jawline. 

"Wait." She slid her hands up his chest and to either side of his face, forcing him to look at her. "Food first." 

"Tch..." He tried to kiss her again but she pressed a finger to his lips and smirked. He watched her slowly place a gentle kiss on his cheek and he shivered at the touch. "Rosa—"

"I like you, but do you really like me?"

"Want another demonstration? Ya stopped me before we got to the good part."

"That was not the good part?" He was glad to see her joke, though he could see a hint of seriousness in her eyes. 

"The good part would involve either a bed or a couch, sometimes even right on the floor."

"Oh the floor?" She teased.

"I wouldn't do that to ya though."

"No? You did seem... hmmm I forgot the word..." She tapped her nose. "Determined? How do I know this is more than just… the good part?"

He laughed and rested his forehead on her shoulder. A weird sense of happiness was taking him over and he had to work hard to stomp it back down. "What are ya askin'? That ya wanna be my girl?"

"Your only girl."

"What kinda guy you take me for?" He scoffed.

"I did not want to assume." She shrugged. "Can not blame me when the only other Yakuza I have seen have two or three girls hanging off of him."

"Yeah I guess that's fair." He scratched his chin and stepped back with flourish. "Well so long as you're my girl, ain't no one else gonna catch this eye." He waved his arm in a dramatic show before bowing in front of her, he peeked up through his fringe and smirked at the quiet chuckle she was trying to repress. "So waddaya say?"

"Well, you made it very hard to say no." She tilted her head in the curious way she does and his stomach did a somersault. She gestured for him to stand up straight and gently pushed him several steps back with only a finger on his chest. “I hear you are trouble though.”

“You ain’t so innocent yaself hun.”

“Mmm fair.” She smiled. “Ok, but dinner first.”

“You got it.” He grabbed her hand and led her out of the alley. They chatted aimlessly as he led her to one of his favorite spots. It was cold out but with his arm over her shoulders he didn't even feel the breeze. The scent of fried dough drifted lazily through the air and she hummed when he handed her a plate. She’d never had takoyaki before and he was hoping she’d love it as much as he did. 

He learned a new word. Not that he’d ever have a need to say octopus in Spanish, but she was so eager to share some part of her with him in return. It was stupid really, how easy it was to just be with her. 

She had a bleeding heart like Kiryu, which meant they fought off some gang members cornering a girl at one point. He had his fun as usual, he simply wasn’t used to hearing someone else laugh during a fight. She was quick with that fucking staff, taking out her three guys by the time Majima moved on to his second. Once they were all knocked out cold, Rosa made sure the girl wasn’t injured before turning and walking along her merry way. 

They hit the arcade after that, nobody won anything and both were convinced the machines were rigged. He showed her where Kiryu beat him at pocket racers, and she kicked his ass at bowling. Before they knew it, it was well past two in the morning and they were sitting on a bench practicing her damn name again. 

“Em” She always started small. 

“Em”

“Emi”

“Emi” He knew that bit. 

“Emi-lee”

“Emi-lee” He nodded, he’d heard an American get called that once.

“Emi-lee-ana”

“Emi-lee-a…”

“Ana.” She urged. 

“Ana.”

“Emiliana.” 

“Nope.” He dodged the punch she threw at his arm and jumped up off the bench.

Deciding to stretch their legs they walked for a while, chatting about random things. They ended up where they normally broke off to go their separate ways. She started to head towards the alley where they’d first met. There a spring loaded emergency ladder would take her up to the roof tops. He stood his ground and pulled her to a stop. She glanced at him curiously as he struggled to find his bravado again. One look from those giant green eyes was all it took for her to disarm him. 

“Goro?”

“Stay with me tonight.”

“Oh…”

“We ain’t gotta do anythin’ if you don’t wanna. I just… I can’t have my girl sleepin' under tarps. Gimme a day. I’ll figure something out.” He pulled her closer and carded his fingers through her ridiculously thick hair. No wonder she was never cold. Her damn mane kept her warm. 

“You really do not have—“

“But I want to. Just let me spoil ya please?”

“Spoil me by giving me a place to live?" She huffed. "We have been on one date Goro—“

“A pretty good one if ya ask me. And let’s be honest, we've kinda been dating for like three weeks now.”

“Still too soon.” Rosa smirked, realizing he was right.

“I got people. I can get ya set up with a whole identity. Then ya can get your own place.”

“Hmmm.” Rosa contemplated that. She didn’t want people to think she was using him, she didn’t want to be like the other girls she’d seen Yakuza keep around. She wasn’t one to drape over his arm or stand there and look pretty. All her life she’d been a tool, a knife up a sleeve. She wanted to be his, but by her own choice. The thought had crossed her mind many times, thinking they’d be unstoppable if it came to it. But each time guilt would take her. She wasn’t here for romantic fantasies, she needed to find out about Tomas... 

But he made a point earlier in the day. This was looking to be a long investigation and the winter was starting to hit hard. As great as her little hideout had been for the short term, she would need to move, and soon. 

As if to punctuate the silence while he waited for an answer, a snowflake landed on her brow. She sighed, realizing that this was probably the best course of action. 

“Alright Goro, you win. Tomorrow we give me a new name, yes?” She looked up at him, watching a brow raise in confusion. “Something to help me blend in more. I do not think many places will rent to a foreigner like me.”

“Nah that’s a good point. On paper at least you can’t be screaming ‘I ain’t from here’. Come on, let’s think about it while we walk.” 

She had no idea where he lived. She could’ve easily followed him one day, but decided better of it. Everyone deserved their privacy and she would wait until he let her in if that was what he wanted. Now however, she realized she should’ve at least followed him to his street, if only to pick a different spot to part ways. He lived clear on the other side of the district. Only a few blocks from the theater square. A tall and unassuming apartment building housed him and a few of his men, with their family office being only a few streets away. 

Majima quickly unlocked the door and let her in, snapping it shut behind him. He didn’t know why he was so flushed. Maybe it would’ve been better if they were drunk. Sober and wide awake, he was just so keenly aware of the fact that he was probably being watched. 

His stomach dropped like a weight and he turned to face Rosa. They knew who she was now, there was little room for doubt. While a part of him was glad, his boys would start keeping an eye on her without even asking, he’d wanted to keep their little thing secret for a bit longer. At least until he could find a way to keep her safe from other families. 

The fact that he, the patriarch of a family, was involved with a woman who wasn’t Japanese didn’t escape him. He knew there’d be whispers against it. After all, the old men in the Tojo Clan alone were sticklers for traditional norms. If they ever pressured him to marry again, they would certainly gawk at the idea of it being her. He shook the thoughts from his mind. Nonsense to deal with another day. Another day probably a while from now anyways. 

He hit the lights in his small kitchen and leaned on the counter watching her, watch the city lights outside. She was hugging herself, glancing every which way in the modern and cold apartment. Most of the furniture was untouched since he’d bought it. She was planning. He could tell by the gentle trace of her fingers over the top of the couch, the way she studied the layout for the fastest route to the door. She was incapable of shutting it off even here in safety. 

He came up beside her and brushed her hair from her face and tilted his head. The same impish grin she usually wore made itself right at home in his heart. “Very nice place Goro, come here often?” 

He laughed. Of course she figured it out. “Nah not really. Just get some shut eye then I go back to the job.”

“Then I guess we should sleep…” She teased as she took a few steps back. He marveled at how easily she created that tantalizing tension in the air between them. “We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“Yeah first thing imma teach ya is how not to talk so damn formal. You got all the rules down, now it’s time to break ‘em.” He sassed right back. “Don’t need ya sounding’ like a robot y’know.” This little dance was his favorite, and he’d memorized it perfectly. He caught the hand he knew would come up to smack his arm and jerked her close. She hit up against his chest with a soft gasp of surprise. Such little sounds sent him spiraling. Suddenly he wanted to hear her gasp, hum, even whisper his name in her strange accent. He treaded water carefully, in case she wasn’t ready yet. He slowly slid his hand from her hip up her waist, slipping it under her shirt and feeling the soft expanse of skin underneath. Not once did he break eye contact, each slight inch of his hand he waited for either permission to keep going or a shake of the head. 

He thought, for a moment, that she’d reproach his actions, her brow furrowed and she seemed almost at war with herself. So he decided to help her figure it out. 

“What is it? Whatcha thinkin' so hard about?”

“This.” Her whisper was low and husky though for once she wasn’t doing it on purpose. His hand made it to her sports bra and he started shifting towards the little zipper at the front. Her breath hitched when he hovered over her breast and exhaled slowly. His other hand was on her hip, gripping her tight to keep himself calm too. 

“What about this?” He started pulling his hand away. “Should I stop?”

Her hand stopped his from leaving but didn’t put it back. “I don’t know.”

“Then I’ll stop.”

“But I don’t… I don’t want you to.”

“I’d rather ya know for sure before we did anything Emi…”

“I do. I know. I want this.” She slowly pushed his hand back to where it was before. 

“But?”

“Guilty.” She rested her head on his chest and took a deep breath. He withdrew his hand and just held her, knowing exactly what she was talking about. “I just feel guilty.”

Chapter 5

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The morning sun was still working its way into the sky when he stretched himself from his spot on the couch. He’d given her his bed much to her argument against it. It’s now been three days and she was still threatening to take the couch every night. He peeked into the open bedroom door to find her still wrapped up in blankets. He wrote out a note and quickly headed out to start his morning routine. 

The city was growing tense. There was a feel in the air and Majima was doing his best to predict where it would go. Halfway through the day he got a text from Nishida to meet him at Vincent. Something he’d been keeping an eye on that was starting to become a problem. 

He thought he’d caught sight of Kiryu at one point but lost him near theater square. It looked like he still had the girl with him. 

He reached the bar, one of the businesses they keep an eye on and a personal favorite of his. Nishida was sitting at a table near the rear and raised a hand at the bartender. A glass of scotch was set in front of Majima just as he sat down. 

“Boss.”

“Yo.”

“Remember how we started watching the Dojima boys after they went after Kazuma-san?”

“Yeah.” 

“They’re making a move. Been following the guy all day. Inside tip says they’re gonna jump him as soon as he’s alone.”

“He can take them.” Majima shrugged. “He threw down with Shimano and half the fucking clan a few weeks ago. I think he’ll be fine.”

“Yeah but not if he’s got the kid with him.” 

Majima froze mid sip. Nishida was right, alone Kiryu could probably take them all and win on his own, but lately he’d been dragging the girl along and it was slowing him down. Significantly. 

“Alright then we turn their little plan on its head.” Majima smirked. “Gonna need to pay off a taxi driver first.”

“And if he’s got the kid?” 

“I’ll be there lendin' a hand. Might bring someone else just to keep the kid safe from anymore bullets.”

“Speaking of... I heard something interesting this morning.” Nishida smirked and leaned back in his seat. “The damndest thing. I was heading out and when I walked by your door, I swear I heard a girl’s voice. Singing too. Very lovely.”

There was a boyish spark of jealousy at that. He hadn’t heard her sing yet, just hum, but he shoved it aside and cleared his throat. “Anyway—“

“Didn’t know the language but it was definitely not Japanese.”

“Nishida—“

“You did!” He hissed, trying to keep his voice down. “The damn girl people have been seeing beating up chumps and thugs in alleys. That foreigner that no one knows where she’s from.” He chuckled. “Good for ya boss. I knew you wouldn’t take a predictable girl obsessed with glitz and glam.”

“Yeah." Majima sighed in defeat. "Makes gettin' her stuff difficult though.”

“Well sure, but it’ll mean more when you do get her stuff. There’s thought behind it besides ‘this is shiny’ she’s not a fucking bird.”

Majima snorted and contemplated for a minute before leaning forward and lowering his voice further. “There’s something else I could use the boys help with. Just need ‘em to keep their ears sharp.”

“What’s up?”

“Heroin shipments. Specifically from overseas. If they hear anythin’ let me know who and where. I’ll take it from there.”

“What are you getting into, boss?” Nishida’s voice teetered on trepidation and Goro didn’t blame him. Hard drugs wasn’t something they wanted to get involved in. 

“Not me, but I hear someone’s dealin' with it and might be pretendin’ to be Tojo Clan. We take em out, it's a big win for us. So keep it quiet. We don’t want anybody to know and we don’t wanna tip em off either.”

“Alright boss, we'll keep an ear out.” Nishida nodded, feeling better about the request. “Oh I got the sets you asked for.” He slid the suitcase under the table to Goro's side. “He made ya two sets of five and one of three. Didn’t think you were into throwing knives boss.”

“Nah I’m shit at it… but she’s not.” Majima finished his drink and stood from the table. “Lemme know when them Dojima boys start to move. I’ll reach out to Kiryu this time.” He patted the table and picked up the suitcase before heading back out. It was early afternoon and he hoped she was still at his apartment. He pulled out his phone and dialed while he walked back. 

“Hola.”

“Yo, you still at my place?”

“Si.” He’d learned that meant yes two weeks ago. “Why?”

“I’m heading back and the boys helped me getcha somethin’”

“How nice of them.” She chuckled. “I will be sure to thank them when I see them.”

“Hey! What about me?”

“Your thank you will depend on the gift.” Again the click of her phone was backdropped by the ghost of her laugh. This woman was going to be the end of him. 

The trek back to his apartment was almost uneventful. He got jumped once but his boys were nearby to lend a hand. He didn’t want to put the suitcase down just on the off chance someone ran off with it. The knives were expensive after all. Two of his men walked with him, better to make sure he made it back in one piece until he dropped off the case. They reached his hallway and were going to leave him when Majima caught two other of his guys hanging by his door, hushed and listening to a melodic sound coming from his apartment. 

Rosa was singing again. If he knew a karaoke bar that had songs she could sing he’d take her in an instant. Her voice was smooth and rich and carried long notes with a gentle vibrato that ran goosebumps down his arms. He smirked and walked towards his door, catching the attention of his men. They quickly scrambled and stood at attention, red in the face and terrified. They bowed as he got close. 

He smacked them on the back of the head, shaking his head at their eavesdropping but not quite blaming them. The singing stopped when he inserted the key and turned the door. 

“Yo!”

“Goro.” She watched in amusement as three of his men tried to peek into the apartment to catch a glimpse of her before Majima closed the door. She gave a tiny wave, which one of them timidly returned. “I did not know I had an audience.”

“I didn’t know ya could sing.” He laughed at her modest shrug and she returned to her notes. 

She was still learning a lot of the language, and Majima’s accent and constant slang wasn’t always helpful. “I always get sa and chi confused.” She huffed. 

“Yeah?” 

“Hmm but that is enough studying I think.”

“Nah. Let’s start using ‘that’s’ instead of ‘that is’. That’s ya homework today.” He set the suitcase down on the table in front of her and pulled off his gloves. 

“That’s.” She repeated slowly. 

“There ya go.” He spun the suitcase around and opened it. Showing off the sets of throwing blades he’d had made for her. An old contact in Sotenbori was able to come through for him one last time. “And here you go.” 

Her eyes grew wide as she slowly reached for one. She glanced up at him to make sure and he nodded, gesturing for her to take a closer look. She went straight for his favorite set, the black and grey Damascus on the blade gave it an intricate design while also strengthening it. She looked at it closely, inspecting everything about it in awe. Every single blade had a green jewel at the end of the grip. Mimicking a pommel on a sword, it provided a counter balance needed to throw them farther and faster. 

“Goro… they are beautiful.” She smiled wide and hopped up from her seat to throw her arms around his neck. She planted a big kiss on his cheek before going back to inspecting the other sets. One was solid and heavy, meant more for close combat than throwing and the last was narrow and long, practically stakes. These prioritized distance, and only came in a set of three. 

“Maybe you can break ‘em out tonight.” He shrugged desperately trying to get his blush under control. 

“What is happening tonight?”

“The last loyal Dojima family are gonna try and take Kiryu out.”

“Dojima… that is- that’s the patriarch they say he killed.”

“Got convicted for it.”

“Not the same thing. Kiryu-San has not killed anyone in cold blood.” She grew tense and started furiously cleaning her new blades. “Neither have you, but you were close.”

“What?”

“There is a... darkness missing in your eye. His too. It comes with purposely taking a life.” She slid her new blades into their place on her belt and put on the new harness to her left leg where the longer blades would sit just barely hidden by her coat. “I see it everyday in the mirror. You do not. So you do not know what to look for.” She threw on her coat and adjusted her collar in order to lift up her hood. “But that is— that’s… that’s not the point. What is it we need to do tonight and how can I assist?”

“Help babe. How can ya help , this ain’t customer support.” He chuckled, opting to let the heavier topic drop for now. 

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Alright. How can I help ?”

“‘Member that kid Kiryu had with him?”

“The one you kidnapped?”

“Thassa one. Gonna need you to keep the lil' squirt safe while I help Kiryu take out Dojima’s boys.”

“Ok. She will be with him?”

“Maybe, and if not ya need to stay behind and make sure ain’t no one touch that kids bounty but me. I’ll kidnap a kid, sure, but I won’t hurt ‘em. Can’t say the same about other families though.” 

“Yes. I will watch over the girl. I know where he is hiding her. I will meet with him by the park entrance. Does he know of your plan?”

“Funny story ‘bout that—“

“He does not know of your plan.” She chuckled. “Alright I will watch over the girl without him knowing then. I will just stay hidden until needed I guess.”

“Sounds good.” He pulled her close and lifted her chin to look at her properly. “I like when ya talk business like that.”

“What?” She laughed. “I was just planning out loud.”

“Mhm.” He tilted her head to kiss her cheek and down her neck. Whispering in her ear, “Real sexy of ya.” She shivered in his hands and sighed before snapping out of whatever hypnosis he’d temporarily put her under. She laughed and took a step back but he followed anyway. “Nah you ain’t gettin’ away that easy.”

“Who said I was trying to get away?” Rosa hopped up onto the counter and pulled him close so he was between her legs. She ran her hands up his bare chest and to his shoulders, slowly pulling his characteristic jacket off. She traced his tattoos again, fascinated by the color and intricacy of the design. 

“You really like it don’t ya?” He smirked when she nodded. 

“I have one too. Tomas and I… We got it when we turned 18. Matching ones.” She traced each line with a delicate finger as she spoke and the shivers he was feeling had nothing to do with the chill air. “We wanted to get something that united us. Something we were proud of.” She pulled at the sleeves of her coat and he helped her shimmy out of it. He kissed her softly, taking in this small part of her that she wanted to share. They broke apart just enough for her to take her shirts off, leaving her in just her sports bra. He kissed her cheek and jaw, trailing down her neck to her shoulder, listening as she spoke. “We were Foxes and we were good at it. We pushed each other to be stronger, faster… better.” She sighed, trying her best to keep going but Majima was making it difficult to focus. “In some places in Mexico, foxes were a warning. They were a sign that murder would happen soon. We thought it was fitting.”

She felt him trace her own tattoo, taking in the incredible difference in their lives and cultures just by the ink on their skins. Hers was a grey fox, a coloring that he’d never seen before. It’s head rested on her chest above her heart, while its body went over her shoulder and upper arm like it was mid leap. A long tail wrapped around her arm and tapered at her wrist. All around it were white flowers in various stages of bloom.  

“Emi… you know you’re beautiful right?” He watched her flush a deep red and smile warmly at him. “Don’t ever change hun. Never fucking change.” He kissed her again, this time almost frantically. He wanted her to know everything she made him feel but he was shit at words and feelings. He felt her hands card through his hair as she echoed his restlessness. His own wandered up and down her sides, fully savoring the feel of her skin under his fingers. He felt her legs wrap around him and her ankles lock him into place and he swore he was going to fall apart right then and there. 

A knock at the door. They both froze and turned to the handle that started jiggling followed by another knock. A familiar muffled voice came from the other side. “Boss, I hate to bother but they’re tailing him now. We gotta go if ya want your past-time safe.” 

Majima swore under his breath and rested his head on her shoulder, not quite trusting the state of his voice. 

“Boss?”

“He will be out in a second!” She snapped. 

“Oh—shit— umm right sorry ma’am um of c-course.” Nishida awkwardly stumbled through his apologies. It may have been that he was caught off guard, but Majima figured he just wasn’t used to her sharpness like he was. 

Majima sighed and cupped her cheek, staring into her wild green eyes. “Time to go.”

“Mmm we can pick this up later. Try not to do anything stupid.”

“Well… stupider.” He quoted. She snorted and hopped down from the countertop and threw her shirts back on. He made a mental note to get her new ones. Fuck it a whole wardrobe. She threw on her coat and pulled up her hood. He was waiting by the door, ready to go. “Good?”

“Good.”

Notes:

If anyone would like to know what she was singing, in my head I pictured “La Maldita Primavera - Sung by Yuridia”. But honestly I left it open for y’all to pick.

Chapter Text

She was furious. No, that wouldn't even properly describe what Rosa was. What she was, was a force of nature, since that would be the only thing that could move Majima's men with a single glare. He'd done something stupid, and twice... in a row. Getting shot wasn't exactly something he could've helped, that bit was fine. But the string of colorful words she exhaled every time she helped him replace his bandages, reminded him of what really pissed her off. It was the fight he'd challenged Kiryu to, a real one. It was the truck he crashed into a building not an hour and a half from getting fished out of the ocean and haphazardly field-treated for a gunshot wound. 

When the debris settled she was the first to march down into the crater left behind in the crumbling building to fetch him. Hardly giving Kiryu or the girl a glance in their direction. She instructed some of his boys to take him to a hospital, when they argued against taking orders from her... well a part of Majima was proud to learn she could beat them in line if needed. After that they heeded her every beck and call, at least until the boss was back up on his feet almost a week later. 

When he was finally well enough to walk he was summoned to Tojo HQ. Apparently Kiryu had a hand in Shimano biting a bullet. He was gone for two days and hadn't heard from her the entire time. Nishida did his best to keep an eye on her for him but even he had to commend her for her ability to simply disappear. She’d figure out right away that she was being watched or tailed and within minutes lose them. She wouldn’t be seen again for hours. 

On the night before his return to Kamurocho he gave in. All day his finger had hovered over the call button by her contact. He sighed and pressed it as he walked outside. It rang for sometime, he couldn't help but picture her contemplating answering him. Just as he was going to leave it be she picked up. 

"Es Rosa." That wasn't her usual greeting to him, this was short and on edge. 

"Hey..."

"Oh, hey." 

Her voice sounded rough and dry. He checked the time and cursed. It was two in the morning, he'd woken her up. "Shit I'm sorry, I woke ya up Rosa. I'm an idiot—"

"That much is true." She chuckled quietly. "But I can't say you didn't warn me."

"Yeah. You’re uh sounding less like a robot..." Small talk wasn't his thing, that much was obvious but he didn't know how to bring up the main issue. 

"Nishida-san gave me a list of words to start using." She sighed and he heard the rustling of sheets. 

"You in bed?" My bed , he wanted to ask.

"Mmm. I was asleep, Goro." She scoffed in amusement. "You're right, you are an idiot."

"So cold." He teased.

"Well, you were almost a dead one." Her voice softened and he pictured the sad furrow her eyebrows were probably doing now. "You know that, yes?"

"Yeah... yeah, I know. They told me. They also told me you ran them ragged while I was out."

"Someone had to teach them discipline." She mused. "It wasn't going to be you was it?"

"Hey now! They listen to me!" It was his turn to scoff. "Well, I didn't mean to wake ya. We can talk more when I get back."

"No. It’s ok. There's nothing to talk about."

"So you're not mad at me?" He didn't even believe the words as he said them.

"I am mad. There's just nothing to say." She sighed. "Majima Goro you scared me. Just don't do that again."

"Was it the truck part or the getting shot part? Cuz one of those wasn't my fault." 

"The nearly dying part." She enunciated before chuckling. 

He grinned his idiot grin at the sound. "Well I'm glad you're not gonna run off then. I'd hate to come back and umm, not see ya..."

"That would be a shame. Luckily for you I have gotten comfortable in this bed." He could hear her stretch out and the sheets rustle again. "It's very warm unlike my little tarp house." 

"Glad the bed's getting some damn action." He mumbled in feigned annoyance. 

"You could be too if you were not stupid... well stupider." She laughed. "Be healed first, then the bed can be jealous."

"Ohhh alright." He thanked god it was dark out and no one was around. "I'll hold ya to it." 

“That is the plan, no?” She purred. “Or will you hold me to the wall instead?”

“You…” He laughed nervously. “Oh you are way too good at this hun. Should I be worried?” 

“Guess you’ll have to fi—“ Her voice suddenly became tense and the string of Spanish curse words didn’t seem to stop. 

“Yo, ya good?”

“An explosion… the tower. The big one.” 

“Shit, seriously?”

“Yes. I’m going to go take a closer look.”

He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t stop her. “Yeah alright just don’t be me.”

“I won’t.” She laughed and paused her moving around for a second. “Will you come back tonight?”

“Yeah I’m gonna grab a car and head back in a minute.” He glanced over at the parking lot. “I’ll be there in like an hour.”

“You’re only an hour away?”

“Yeah.”

“Pfft alright. Well, drive safe.”

“What? What’s got ya laughing?”

“In Mexico an hour drive was nothing. That assignment I was on in Nuevo León? I had to drive there. It was 12 hours.”

“Oh ok well not all of us are worldly like you.”

She laughed and continued whatever she was doing. “Be safe. I’ll see you when you get here.”

“Yeah. Hey… Um…”

“…I know. See ya.”

“See ya.”

He clicked his phone shut and contemplated the words that almost left him. Too soon. Way too soon— wait 'I know'? He stared at his phone again in amazement. Did she feel the same way?


Rosa ran across the rooftops, landing, rolling then jumping onto the next. The closer she got the more she heard. Money was apparently raining down from the top of the tower. There’d been gunshots, helicopters and fighting. She reached the rooftop across from the tower’s back entrance and watched bills flutter down. Causing a rush of excitement from the onlookers as they tried to catch as much as they could. 

The back doors quietly opened, letting out Kiryu, the child and the older detective from before. The girl was crying, hanging onto Kiryu with all her might while he looked… despondent. Or as despondent as his permanent scowl could be. She followed them via rooftops, whatever happened up there they were at the center of it. 

Up ahead a group of suspicious men had taken over an alley, counting the bills they’d caught. She gave a low whistle, one thankfully the detective heard. He stopped and glanced up in time to catch her shadow dart south down a different alley. She whistled again and watched the trio quietly follow her wordless instructions. She led them through the alleys like this, avoiding crowds, delinquents or other obstacles. They reached the bar she knew they frequented and dropped down from above to greet them properly. 

“Is she alright?” She nodded to the child that had since fallen asleep in Kiryu’s arms. He nodded but adjusted her so she could look her over. She had a few scrapes on her cheek and a burn on her hand but would otherwise be alright, though she felt warm to the touch. “She is very stressed. She will need a cool bath to help her fever.” 

“I don’t… I don’t know what to do.” He stared down at the girl in his arms and it dawned on Rosa. It was his responsibility to keep her safe, whatever happened up in that tower left him in charge of this child’s well-being. 

She patted his arm gently. “I can tell you what I know, but it is not too much.” 

He nodded his thanks and motioned at the metal stairs. “We should let her sleep.”

“Yes, that would be best.” She watched them all climb up to the bar they used as a hideout and snap the door shut behind them. Rosa sat on the bench and simply listened to the world around her. The distant sirens and excited chatter as news of the explosion spread like fire. Between that and the constant noise of cars driving by, all that was missing was a good beer and she was back in Mexico City. 

"Hey." The voice ripped her from her thoughts and she stood abruptly, drawing the knife up her sleeve and pointing it at the detective. "Woah." He held up his hands to show he wasn't a threat and she hesitated, slowly lowering the knife but still keeping it in her hand. "I just wanted to thank you. No one was in the mood to fight through crowds after that." He gestured to the bench beside her, she nodded and sat with him, twirling the knife in her hand absentmindedly.

"You're welcome. I thought as much."

"Where are you from?" 

"Mexico."

"Oh. Your Japanese is very good."

"I studied it for two years before coming here. Majima-san has been helping me speak it better. Well... helping is a word. He says I sound too formal." She scoffed.

"I can see that." He pulled out a flask and took a sip of the alcohol inside. He pointed to the knife in her hand. "You're fast with those." 

"I was trained very young." She slid the knife back in its place up her sleeve, a hidden pocket she'd added to the coat Majima got her. "You are a police officer, yes?"

"Yeah, Detective Date. Organized crime unit."

"Emiliana Rosario... You can call me Rosa."

"Rosa... got it. You said you were looking for someone." She hesitated so he tried to push a little further. "You helped us out a few times. Least I can do is see if someone back at the precinct might've heard something. Have you reported them?" She shook her head. "Can I ask why not?"

"He went missing two years ago."

"Ah."

"He is probably dead."

"And you just want answers then." She nodded and fiddled with a ring on her pointer finger. "What was his name?"

"Tomas. He was my... brother. We were born at the same time, I don't remember the word for it."

"Twin."

"Twin." She repeated slowly. "He was my twin." 

"Why was he here?"

"He was..." She tiptoed around what she needed to say. "On business, and I am sure that business went wrong." She sighed and lowered her hood, leaning back on the bench and staring angrily at the ground. "It was a set up. I am sure of it."

"How so?"

"I didn't know he was missing at first. The man I worked for, Armando, was trying to make a deal with Yakuza here so he sent my brother to collect what he was owed. He never came back. Instead Armando tells me that he is staying here long term, to…” she snapped her fingers trying to think of the word. “Mm! To oversee everything. I thought that was strange, but he had asked us to do similar things before. Then Tomas stopped answering my calls... my messages. He went silent. I asked about it but I never get-[no] I never got a straight answer. I knew right away that he was probably dead, the Cartel doesn't just let you walk away. So I took my time finding my answers. Eventually they led me here." Rosa took a deep breath and glanced at the detective. "He met with someone up at that bar, but I haven't been able to learn who. Only that they are faking? [No]… Pretending to be Yakuza."

"Have you told anyone?"

"Majima-san. He's helping me find out who is pretending."

"Why not involve the Police? They could help you track down civilians better." Date slid his flask back in his coat and leaned back with her. Mirroring, every officer she'd spoken to in the past had done this, a way to relate without words. "Bring them to justice faster."

She scoffed. "Because I don't want justice . I want blood." Rosa stood from her seat and stretched right as her phone rang. She glanced apologetically at the detective who seemed to be having an internal debate with himself. "Excuse me." She gave him a short polite bow like Majima had taught her and walked toward the vending machine at the far side of the lot. "Hola."

"Yo! Where ya at?"

"Near Stardust, the bar across the street." 

"Oh, ok whatcha doin there?" She could hear him walking away from the sirens and crowds.

"Helped Kiryu-san get away from the building. Led them through alleys. You wouldn't have had fun. There was a lot of sneaking." She teased while selecting a drink. "They're up there sleeping now. The little girl was near the explosion I think. She had a burn on her hand." 

"What the heck was he thinkin’? First a bath house, then an exploding building."

"Hmm. I don't think one of those is his fault."

"Yeah that's fair." He chuckled. “Listen, sit tight. I got a couple idiots here that need a lesson in disturbin' folks on the phone." She could hear angry threats shouted at him in response. 

"Ok I will stay put, I am in the lot behind the bar. Try not to take too long." She collected her drink and turned back to the detective. Hanging up right as Goro started laughing maniacally. She smirked at the sound and took her seat beside the detective. They stayed quiet for several minutes. Date kept trying to say something but choosing against it until finally even she had enough. 

“What is it?” She snapped, briefly startling the older man.

"There any way to convince you against kill—"

"Nope." She caught the look in his eye and smiled sadly. "If you are trying to keep me from... hurting my soul?" She fumbled with the words, she waved away her attempt. "I have been killing people since I was ten. I know where I'm going after death."

"Ten?"

"Mmhm." She nodded and gave him a grin, the gleam in her eye made him worry about who exactly he was sitting next to. "Don’t worry, I don't kill people just for fun."

"Good to know..."

"It's true, she just beats the shit outta them!" Majima's wild tone echoed from the other side of the lot. Rosa grinned at the man and shook her head at the state of him. He was still in bandages but the dark bruising underneath was finally starting to fade. He had a smattering of blood on his arm, likely from whoever had the lack of sense to try and jump him. "Sorry, I ain't as fast as you."

"Tch. So late. Shouldn't keep a girl waiting." She scrunched her nose in disapproval and he practically skipped to her. 

He leaned into her space and grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. "Wanna grab something to eat?"

"It is four-no almost five in the morning Goro, I want to sleeeeep." She whined. That was new, and it did things to Majima he hadn't expected. 

"Something on the way then?" His voice softened without meaning to, momentarily forgetting the detective on the bench beside her. "That way we can just get ya back in bed."

"Ya'd like that wouldn't ya." She copied his gruffness and accent almost exactly. He had to stay perfectly still for fear of doing something he shouldn't in public.

He grinned after a moment and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oho! So you're being a brat." 

"Only when I'm tired." She sassed and leaned back on the bench again, practically pouting. 

"Well in that case..."  He wrapped an arm around her and lifted her over his shoulder. She squeaked in surprise at the sudden movement and stared at Date wide eyed as Majima started to walk away, waving his bat in one hand and adjusting her weight on his shoulder with the other. "Later old man!" 

Date sighed and stood from the bench, pulling out a carton of cigarettes as they disappeared around the corner.

Chapter 7

Notes:

I'm actually real nervous about posting this one, it's my first time posting anything like this. Normally, I cut to black or something but I said "Screw it we're committing!" and well here it is. The real reason this is rated E... be gentle with me pls...

Chapter Text

"Goro put me down."

"Nah."

"[Son of a bitch...]"

"What was that? I don't speak Spanish so I don't really know what you called me."

"Good things do not worry." She huffed and rested her chin on her hand, trying her best to ignore the looks she was getting.

"Hmmm are ya lyin'? Cuz I feel like ya lyin' to me."

“I said what I said.” She tapped her fingers on his back in impatience and he chuckled at the woman. “Can you put me down?”

“Nah.”

“Tch…”

“Ummm sir.” A new voice and it made Majima stop. “I’m going to have to ask you some questions.”

“What why?”

“Seriously?” Rosa scoffed. “It could be that you have me over your shoulder like a child.”

“Well maybe if ya weren’t actin’ like one.”

“Sir, what is the nature of this relationship?” The officer asked. 

“She’s my girl.”

“Your girl?”

“Yeah. What fuckin more do ya want me to say?” She felt his annoyance start to climb as he adjusted her weight on his shoulder. 

She patted his back. “Turn around.” He spun around rather forcefully and Rosa was now face to face with the young cop. “I thank you for your worry. I am fine. I was being a… what did you call me Goro?”

“A brat.” He huffed. 

“A brat and this is what I get. Can we please go? I am tired.” Again she rested her chin on her hand and tapped her fingers against his shoulder in boredom. 

“I guess if you say you're fine… but it would be best if you put her down sir.”

“Yeah, fine, fine.” He set her down and stretched out his shoulder. “There, ya happy now?” He glared at the officer. 

“Yes. Thank you. Have a good day.” 

“Ha! This one’s got a backbone, Rosa!” Majima laughed at the cop still standing his ground. Rosa scoffed and started walking down the street. “Yo! Wait up!”

Rosa shook her head and made a straight shot to his apartment building. She turned to see if he was still following but found she was alone. 

“[Probably went to buy food.]” She murmured and kept to her goal. The damn bed. Most of the commotion was still concentrated around the Tower so the streets were relatively empty. 

She felt a prickly sensation on her neck and she stopped in the middle of the street. Eyes were on her and she didn’t exactly know where she was being watched from. This didn’t feel friendly and her nerves were suddenly on edge. She took a sharp right turn and headed into an alley instead of towards Majima’s apartment not wanting to lead anyone to him. She climbed the ladder quickly and pulled her staff out, snapping it open and having it ready should the need arise. 

On the roof the feeling lessened. She shrank down into the shadows and snuck her way across the rooftops. Darting from cover to cover until she could hide behind a large air unit. She could hear movement, footsteps following her general direction but not quite sure where she went. She chanced a peak over the unit and caught sight of a figure on another roof searching behind the air units there. It was tall, and broad, not exactly the best for sneaking around. He grunted in annoyance and started scanning across the rooftops. 

Eventually she heard him leave, the screech of the ladder going back up, and the click of shoes on wet concrete walk away from her back towards the main streets. She let loose the breath she’d been holding and did her best to steady her heart. Minutes passed and she watched the sky start to lighten ever so faintly. She checked her phone, almost six. She’d been up here for almost an hour. There were a few missed calls glaring up at her, she hadn’t even felt it vibrate. They were all from Majima, and one unknown number. 

She pressed a button and dialed. 

“Yo…”

“I’m sorry.”

“What? Why?” 

“I lost track of time. Are you back at your apartment?”

“Yeah… I been waitin’ up for ya. Got somethin to eat... I thought you were sleepy.”

“Hmm. I am, but…” She yawned. “I was being followed. I didn’t want to lead them back to you.”

“Wait, you were followed? By who?” 

She smirked at his growl. “I don’t know. But I lost them. I will be there soon.” 

“Well where are ya?”

“On a roof. Where else? The sunrise is nice.” She smiled up at the sky. 

“Hmm stay put. I’ll come get ya.”

“No, I'm fine. I’ll be there soon.”

“You sound sleepy. What if ya fall and knock ya head huh? Then what?”

“No, I'm already standing up.” She groaned at the stretch of her muscles after being so tense. 32 years old and sometimes she felt 50. The ladder was easy enough to find and thankfully ran on a track. “Going down a ladder.”

“I can hear that.” She thought she heard him close a door and rolled her eyes. 

“I’m walking to the street.”

“Lovin’ the play by play.” She heard another door open then a car drive by. He was outside. 

“It was meant to keep you from leaving… Turning a corner.” She walked along the sidewalk, she really hadn’t been far from his place. 

“Yeah that didn’t work.” His voice came up behind her and she jumped at his touch on her shoulder. “Gotcha.” He laughed, tilting his head and hanging up the phone. 

“[You’re lucky I care about you, you son of a bitch.]” 

“There’s those words again. Still don’t know what it means hun.” He wiggled his eyebrows again and stood in a strange stance. 

“[What…] what are you doing?”

“You're tired—“

“[No]—“

“Imma carry you—“

“[No!]” She turned to run but that was exactly what he was expecting. He rushed forward and she toppled into his arms perfectly. “[Fucking hell…]”

“I’m gonna assume from now on that yer just swearin’.” He adjusted her weight again and started for the apartment complex. 

“It is a safe bet.” She yawned. This wasn’t so bad, cradled against his chest like this was easier on her but probably harder for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. Trying not to drift into sleep. 

Majima reached the door and struggled a bit but managed to open it with one hand. Hilariously she’d dozed off in his arms and he didn’t want to wake her. He snapped it shut behind him with a kick of his heel and walked her to the bedroom. He laid her down gently and watched her for a moment. She seemed so peaceful, and calm. He counted himself lucky to find a girl that could do both. 

He knelt beside her and worked on the belts of blades on her legs and the side bag on her hip. She was practical, no need for purses or extra baggage, if it didn’t fit on her she didn’t need it. Then the holster that held her collapsible staff. This one he had to lift her leg to reach the clasp on her thigh. She stirred and he removed it slowly in hopes of not waking her. Finally, she was free of immediately visible sharp objects but he counted, there were two knives still missing. 

He checked her coat, one was hidden in the hem of her sleeve and another in the inside lining. Sneaky little pockets she’d cut and sewn into it after he gave it to her. He smirked and pulled on one of the sleeves, gradually taking it off until she practically rolled out of it. She seemed to catch on and kicked her boots off on her own before curling up into a ball. He shook his head and left her be. He went to the restroom to wash up, hanging his jacket and taking off his belt and shoes. When he walked back out she was down to a tank top and underwear. 

He swallowed back his nerves and started to leave the room when she called to him. Her voice was tiny and tired. He glanced at her, her dark tan skin in heavy contrast to the white sheets and blanket that made his bed. “Come here.” She held out a hand for him. He took slow deliberate steps towards her, taking her hand in his. “Lay down.” She moved over so that he could take his place next to her. “Sleep.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm… [sleep]. Sleep.”

“Alright Emi.”

He stretched out next to her and she adjusted herself and laid her head on his chest, he wrapped his arm around her and gently stroked small circles into her back. She hummed at the feeling and eventually her breathing deepened. He didn’t know how long he laid there, just contemplating the domesticity of his situation but he loved every second of it. 

Next thing he knew he jerked awake at the sound of someone banging at the door. Rosa bolted upright and pulled one of her old knives from under the mattress and held it ready for a fight before realizing no one was attacking her. She huffed as the person at the door knocked again. Majima laughed and stood from the bed with a groan. 

“Knock it off will ya!” He yelled at the door. “I’m comin’ stop fucking makin so much noise.” He ripped the door open to find two police officers standing in his hallway. “Buncha cops huh? Whaddaya want?”

“We’re with immigration.” The man at the front held open a badge for a brief second before trying to push his way into the house. Suddenly four of Majima’s men surrounded the officers with crossed arms and scowls to match. “We received reports that your harboring an illegal immigrant—“

“Nope.”

“Sir—“

“I ain’t, but if I was you wouldn’t be touchin’ them.” He growled. 

“Sir we are aware of your… affiliations but immigration—“

“This ain’t got anythin' to do with that. I'm talkin man to man. She ain’t illegal and you ain’t touchin’ her.”

“I know she is. We’ve been looking for her. Came in off a boat from Mexico.” The officer watched him carefully then cleared his throat. “You know if we issued a warrant for her arrest she’d be immediately deported right?”

“Yeah so?”

“If she were to gain citizenship then we wouldn’t be able to touch her. Until then though, if I catch her, she’s getting shipped out.” 

Majima groaned and walked over to a drawer in his kitchen. He slammed it open and pulled out a Mexican passport, flipped it open to the most recent Visa and slapped it into the officer’s hands. “There. Are ya fuckin happy now.”

He stared at the passport, inspected the name, and the visa stamp, testing the ink to see if it rubbed off. He smiled up at Majima and nodded, handing it back. “Yes, it expires in a month though. So she will either need to apply for residency, marry, or go back. We will be keeping an eye on her for now. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“Great. Boys, make sure they don’t get lost on the way out.” He smiled menacingly at the officers and slammed the door in their face. He tossed the passport on the counter and headed back towards the bedroom adjusting his eye patch. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep with it on and now his face itched. He walked past the bed, glancing at Rosa sitting up and staring at her hands. 

She probably was blaming herself now for his troubles. He sighed and removed his eyepatch to wash his face. He stared at himself in the mirror afterwards and inspected his glass eye. It was old, not having gotten a new one since there was no real need for it. He didn’t know why he accepted it when he underwent surgery. It hid under an eyepatch anyway. He didn’t mind his look with the eye patch, and he’d long gotten used to his life with limited sight. But fully removing everything— eyelid and all— he would’ve felt… incomplete. 

 He dried his face and tied on a clean one before heading back out to the bedroom. Rosa was sitting on the edge of the bed now, staring at the passport he’d had made for her. The forger he worked with didn’t trust that a Japanese passport would pass as real under her name. So he forged a false one from Mexico and gave her a fake travelers visa. Good for six months. But he wanted to cover the time she’d already been here just to be safe. That only left a month on it. The plan had been to keep taking it to the forger, adding new entries until they could get away with a citizenship. Now with Immigration watching that would be near impossible. 

“When did it get here?” She looked up at him with a sad smile. 

“Last night. It was in the mail this morning. Good timin’ huh?” He stood in front of her, hands in his pockets. He watched her fiddle with the passport, her fingers hovering over her name. “Hey…”

“It’s only a matter of time Goro… maybe this wasn’t a good idea.” She tossed the passport onto the table by the bed. “If they catch me I’ll be sent back. I’m— Maybe we should not have gotten close—“

He interrupted her dramatics with a fierce kiss, hovering over her and holding her face in his hands. “No.” He whispered. “Don’t go sayin’ dumb shit like that.”

“But—“ 

He kissed her again, this time grabbing hold of her legs and pushing her onto the bed properly. He followed, straddling her, whispering as he traced the curve of her neck with his nose. “No one’s takin’ ya from me.” He trailed his hands up her thighs, collecting the hem of her tank and pulling it up and over her head. “No one’s gonna touch you but me.” He left a trail of kisses down her chest, gently tracing his thumbs over the soft skin of her breasts. She whimpered at his touch and he went back to catch the sound with his lips. Growling as he spoke against her own. “You’re mine.”

With his words, her need for him took over any rational thought she may have had. Her hands worked the buttons on his pants quickly trying to tug them off but he took them both in one hand and lifted them above her head, pinning her against the bed. He laughed quietly, not the maniacal high pitched cackle he usually did. This one was his, a real laugh he rarely shared anymore. He sat back on his knees and marveled at her. She was toned beneath all her layers, and she had to be for the acrobatics and fighting she was capable of. His fingers traced over the gentle roll of muscles on her abdomen and up her sternum then trailing along the colors of her tattoo. Her eyes were blown wide and he was so ready to give her what she wanted. 

She pushed herself up on her elbows and tilted her head curiously as she always did, her thick mane of hair catching the midday rays through the window. Streaks of red and brown lit up in the sun throughout her usually black hair. 

“I’m gonna make sure you never think like that again." He grabbed her chin and made her look at him properly. Her breath shuddered as his other hand started climbing higher up her inner thighs. He gently slipped his hand under her panties and teased her, hearing her breath catch and hasten with each tantalizing stroke of his fingers. 

Never once did he look away from the fierce green eyes he dreamt about last night. Memorizing every little twitch of her eyebrows as he toyed with her. He watched her frustration grow, still holding on to her face, forcing her to look at him. She started whimpering again, her hips twitching, and body begging for more. "And I’ll remind you however many times as you want. You. Are. Mine.”

He muffled her shocked gasp with his lips as he pressed his fingers into her. First one, then a second, she moaned into his kiss and it was like music to his ears. He didn’t have a thing for voices, just hers. Her deep sultry tone groaning his name in his ear as he moved his fingers inside her, practically beckoning her to come undone. He felt her start to tense, knees lifting and pressing against his hips. Her hands held her weight, hanging on to his wrist as he still wouldn’t let her look away. Wouldn’t let go of her face until he got what he wanted. He pressed in a third finger and went as far as he could and she bucked into his hand. She was biting her lip desperate to keep her voice down but that wouldn’t do. 

“Don’t.” He growled, shaking his hand that still held her. “I want to hear you.” 

Clearly being bossed around did wonders for her, because not a second later she was jerking her legs tight around him and crying out as she rode the waves of pleasure through her body. He watched mesmerized as her eyes rolled back and she lost herself completely in the moment. He let her go, letting her bounce back onto the bed as he stood up and finished removing his pants. She felt him take hold of her underwear and pulled them off completely in one move. He lifted her knees back up, her body still recovering but he wouldn’t wait. He kissed along the inside of her thighs and slowly inched closer to her center. 

Her breath started to shorten again in anticipation, and she whispered something in Spanish but he didn’t care that he couldn’t understand it. He just wanted to hear her. He stopped and looked up at her with a serious glare. “What did I say?”

“[I—I just…]” 

He grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit up. “I want to hear you.”

“Yes. I won’t be quiet—“

“Good girl.” He pushed her back down and continued from where he left off. 

Rosa felt her whole body loosen the instant his head was between her legs. Her head rolled back and she gripped the sheets behind her in a desperate attempt to stay grounded. Her legs moved of their own accord in reaction to his every ministration. He was gentle then rough, then gentle again. He’d tease then give in, everything timed perfectly to drive her wild. Her eyes were open but she saw no shapes, no colors, just bliss. 

It started in her fingertips, her scalp, even her toes. The static sensation of her reaching her peak. Her breathing became erratic and he knew, that fucker knew she was almost there but instead of speeding up he slowed down, opted to be gentle when her body screamed to be slammed against the bed. She was frustrated and her moans reflected that. He shook with quiet laughter at something she must have said, she wasn’t paying attention to what left her mouth anymore. If he wasn’t going to give her what she needed then she was going to take it. 

Her hips started moving against his face and he wrapped his arms around her legs to hold her down. She was so desperate and he may have been a bit selfish in wanting to hear her climb a little longer. 

She felt a rush of excitement at being restrained. Something to adventure later, right now she just wanted release. She felt him give in and press three fingers back inside her while he left a trail of wet kisses up her stomach, and took her left nipple between his teeth. 

“[¡Please!]” She was begging, he could tell that much he just didn’t 'know’ what for. Her legs wrapped around him again and he felt her start to climb once more. “[¡Please I need you!]”

“Next lesson in Japanese.” He murmured, turning his attention to her other breast. “Use it when distracted. Can’t help ya if I don’t know what ya want.”

She was near tears now, whimpering his name and gripping his shoulders so tight it should have hurt. Words escaped her, she couldn’t think of them properly. Japanese wasn’t a language she could just switch to on a whim. It took translation in her head before speaking and she was too far gone to think. He didn’t know Spanish, but he knew some English. 

“What do you want, Emi?” He pressed his fingers in as far as they would go again, and that was almost enough, but her body was craving more. 

“[Fuck me!]” She growled in English and he laughed. 

“Yeah that works.” He removed his hand and went to wrap her legs around his hips when she flipped them over instead. 

Her furious glare had him concerned, had he gone too far? Pushed her buttons at the wrong time?

“You are an ass!” She growled and holy fuck that shook him in all the right ways. He tried to sit up but she shoved him down and braced herself on his shoulders. His hands went to her hips but she slapped them away. Forcing him to just watch as she slowly lowered herself onto him. She took him in a little at a time, sighing with each drop until he was fully inside her. They both groaned at the sensation, her hands running along his chest as she moved to sit up straight and he had to clench his fists to keep from reaching for her. 

She rode him slowly at first, both of them enjoying the feeling of him filling her so completely. His hands rested on her thighs and she grabbed one and moved it to her breast and the other to her ass. She wanted him to handle her, so obviously he didn’t. He grinned and sat up, grabbing handfuls of her hair and pulling her head back so he could kiss her neck all while he bucked up into her. Her moans grew louder and her body started to tense again. He was almost at his limit too, but there was one last thing he wanted to do with her. 

He pushed her off and rolled her over, lifting her hips into the air and slammed back into her. She cried out in surprise and gripped the sheets as he did it again. Each time she’d feel him go deep and slam her face against the bed, at this point unable to stop the muffling of her cries. 

He reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair again and lifted her head enough to be able to hear her. He needed it, he wanted to tip over with her and now that he knew her tells it was easier to time it. He was close, and he picked up the pace, his groans matching her cries until finally. She gasped and let out a slow cry of pleasure as his own body tipped over. His hands gripped her hips tight, probably leaving bruises, but it couldn’t be helped. She felt amazing all around him as they both rode the wave together. 

He dropped, his body’s strength leaving him spent and boneless. He laid on top of her, both of them so out of breath there was a raspiness to their voices. After a minute he rolled off of her admiring the sheen of sweat on her body. He ran a hand gently up and down her back, watching her breathing start to slow and return to normal. She shifted onto her side and watched him too. Her unreadable eyes scanned everything about him. 

He felt her hands start to run up his chest slowly and gently reaching for his face. Her fingers slipped under the line that tied his eyepatch in place and waited. Her silent request kept him still as he contemplated. He closed his eye and let her take it off with a gentle sigh. He felt her move closer and roll him onto his back. The tickle of her long hair around his face told him she was hovering over him. 

Then he felt her kiss. The gentlest and softest press of her lips on his bad eye. He opened them and stared at her confused, but she just smiled. It was warm and caring and… understanding. She led his hand to the raised burn mark on her back. He felt the ridges of scarred skin under his fingers and watched her. She bent down and kissed him again, this time on the forehead. He closed his eyes and breathed her in. 

This was an intimacy he’d never felt before. Bared completely to her now and she to him. She rested her head on his chest and went back to tracing his tattoo with her fingers. A quiet song being hummed eventually lulled him into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Text

“Rosa…”

“Mmm…”

“Rosa, wake up.”

“[No.]”

A hand started to shake her bare shoulder and she hummed at the little circles it started to rub with its thumb. “Rosa, ya gotta eat babe.” She sighed and pushed herself up with a groan. There was a sweet soreness in her body, one that usually came after a particularly great tumble in the bed. She smiled at him, still not opening her eyes. “Well, ya half way there I think… hmm.”

“What?” She opened one eye at his sudden interest on a spot on her chest, just beside her tattoo. 

“Looks like I left a mark.” He grinned impishly. “Good.”

Rosa scoffed and laid back in bed.

“No. No. No. I’m fucking starving come on.” He pulled her by the arm as she made herself dead weight. “You’re bein’ a brat again.”

“I think you will find I am a brat more often than I am not.”

“I think you’re a damn robot 90% of the time.”

She laughed and sat up on her own, feeling her own stomach start to growl. Looking out the window she could see the early evening sun start it’s decent. They’d slept most of the day away. Majima was standing by the dresser, taking something out of a small bag and slipping it into his coat pocket.

“Come on get dressed!” He rushed, walking over and kissing her hungrily before smirking and leaving the room. 

Majima pulled the box back out, he’d bought it yesterday after she disappeared on him again. He turned to the bedroom at the sound of his shower running and grinned before looking back at the thin gold bracelet, with the letter M on it. The jeweler had tried getting him to buy one of the flashy Italian bracelets but he’d turned it down immediately. She wasn’t like that, and wouldn’t have accepted it anyway. He loved that about her. She spoke her mind, respected customs but wouldn’t bend to them. He loved her humor, her laugh, the way she smiled so freely and unafraid. He loved her confidence, her drive and good god was she amazing in bed. He loved… her. 

Fuck he loved her. 

“Shit…”

There was a knock at the door and he snapped the box shut and slipped it into his coat again. He glanced to make sure the bedroom door was closed before shouting to come in. Nishida snapped the door shut behind him and bowed to his boss before approaching. 

“Boss. The boys told me what happened.”

“Yeah, I didn't think they’d catch on.”

“They wouldn’t have. I think they got tipped off.”

“He mentioned that they’d been looking for her since she got off the boat…”

“Eh maybe…  but you know how good she is at losing tails. Until now, she never stayed in one place for too long.” Nishida leaned on the counter. 

Nishida was a hell of a thinker, a planner. Majima counted on him a lot. The whole reason their dynamic worked was that behind closed doors they were both smart, and tactical. Out on the streets, he was the Mad Dog and Nishida a good little subordinate that blindly followed orders. People underestimated them constantly and both of them enjoyed the feeling of proving people wrong. 

“Damn…” 

“This visa only has a month left, and the soonest I can get a booking for residency interviews is four months out…” He seemed to be leading to something. “How much… how much do you care about her exactly?”

Majima sat down and held his head in his hands as he struggled to get the words out he only just realized. They could both hear her sing in the shower, a drawn out melody in a language neither knew. 

“That much huh?” Nishida chuckled. “I mean the guys could hear you two goin at it two doors down so good thing your neighbors are out of town.”

“Shit, seriously Nishida?!”

“Look it’s not often I can bust ya balls about shit boss let me have this.” He laughed at the bright red Majima had turned. “I’m askin cuz there’s one other way to fix this. And fix it permanently…”

“Ah. The M word.”

“Yeah, it’ll take 18 days to process citizenship if we expedite. Five weeks otherwise. That leaves ya—“

“12 days to do it…” Majima stared at his left hand. He never thought he’d actually marry again, much less so quickly after meeting someone but he couldn’t lose her. It simply wasn’t an option. “Then it’s what I’ll do. I don’t want her to have to leave or live on the run. If she gets sent back she’ll be dead in a ditch within a week.”

“That’s another thing. If she’s family and her past ever tries to catch up with her, we’ll all have her back. I mean we will regardless but this time it’d be an official and immediate response from us maybe even with help. Course you also gotta think about how the rest of the families will take this. She’s not exactly traditional…” Nishida patted his shoulder. “Don’t just jump into this. Think about it.”

“Yeah…”

“You’re just gonna jump right into this aren’t ya?”

“Yeah…” Majima’s grin widened with each thought of having her forever at his side. He was forty, he didn’t need to have a long dragged out relationship. If he knew, he knew. “Yeah I probably will.”

The sound of the shower shutting off made Nishida start for the door. “Well don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He shook his head. “See ya around boss. Meeting on Friday, yeah?”

“Yep.”

“Alright let me know when to push the papers through to expedite. No rush but the sooner the better.”


Majima left the bracelet beside a note asking her to meet him by the ramen shop they frequented before heading out into the brisk cold. He went back to the same jeweler and shocked him with his request to see engagement rings. He was shown several ostentatious diamond rings and waved them away in frustration. The jeweler finally seemed to catch on, remembering their talk about the bracelet yesterday and pulled out a few rings he had hidden away. Two were solid bands of black and gray metal. The third in the set is what caught Majima's eye. A delicate silver ring holding three decently sized emeralds. Not too large and not too flashy. 

He bought it and the black and gray band without much hesitation. He slipped the rings in his coat and made for the ramen shop. Was he nuts? Probably. Crazy? Almost guaranteed, but he didn't feel like this was a crazy move. He felt like he'd known her forever, and this was absolutely where he needed to go next. Chalk it up to an idiot in love but he walked with a spring in his step and a crazy wide grin on his face. Which of course made everyone uncomfortable. 

The ramen shop was absurdly busy, so he decided to wait outside until she showed. She wasn't a fan of cramped spaces, so he wouldn't blame her if she opted for something else. Time seemed to drag while he let his mind wander, long enough that he even started checking the time. At the hour mark since he left the apartment a worry creeped into his mind. 

She'd been followed this morning. 

Not just followed, but found. Whoever had chased her onto that roof was probably the one who called her in to immigration... if they were even feds at all…

His blood turned to ice while pulled out his phone and dialed. Listening to the ring back until it made him leave a voicemail. He hung up and dialed again. Still no answer. He started walking back to his apartment, a knot forming in his stomach with each step. He kept dialing, praying the gut feeling he had was wrong. 

As he turned the corner of his street, he caught sight of the building entrance. The front automatic doors were blown outward off their tracks. He ran, jumping over the broken glass and bent metal, he rushed up the stairs to find chaos in his hallway. Four of his guys lay unconscious on the ground. A trail of blood led out of his apartment, which had the door broken inwards. Inside, his house was a mess. She'd obviously fought back, and hard. One of her blades was embedded in the wall by the door, another was coated in blood and left abandoned on the floor. His note to her was smattered with red stains and stuck to the couch next to the broken remains of the box that had held her bracelet. 

His ears were ringing with a single note as he took in the state of the room. She was taken, stolen from him and his heart couldn't take it. Not again.

"BOSS!" Nishida broke the furious trance he was under. He was standing at the door, holding a bloody towel to the side of his head. "Boss they took her. No one got a good look at ‘em but Rinji says they weren't speaking Japanese or English."

"Damn it!" He threw the chair next to him across the room and grabbed his bat that lay next to the shattered TV. It too was bloodied and had a new little dent near the middle. "I'm finding her. One, cuz she's mine, and they took her. Two they laid out a hit in my damn house and roughed up my guys. Get the boys ready. We're takin the fuckin streets."

"On it boss."

Chapter Text

"Hey Kiryu." Date snapped the door shut behind him and dropped off the bags of food he brought for their supper.

"Yeah?"

"Majima's boys are all over the streets." Date snuffed out his cigarette and started taking the food out, setting it in front of the girl. Haruka looked much better after a cool bath, just as Rosa had said. She smiled softly and politely thanked the detective. 

"Why?" Kiryu opened the blinds to the window and sure enough four guys he recognized as Majima's were standing in the street, searching. 

"Don't know. But they’re literally everywhere. I didn't know he had that big a group."

"He's one of the larger families." Kiryu murmured, and looked down the street to see five more walking through crowds, pulling down hoods or removing hats. "They're looking for someone."

"Mister Kiryu, you don't think something happened to Miss Rosa do you?"

"I hope not... he’ll burn the city down to find her." Kiryu searched for his phone in his coat and flipped it open. He had two messages from Nishida, and several missed calls from both him and Majima. He redialed, deciding on going straight to Majima first. He was shocked when he picked up right away. "Hey, what's going on?"

"They took her Kiryu... They took her right outta my fucking house."

"Who took her?"

"I don't know, but they either pretended to be or they used Immigration to make sure she was here."

"Where are you now?" Kiryu started throwing on his blazer. 

"By the West Park entrance. She got a couple of them good, even made one bleed out... I need your help Kiryu, the body is by the batting center."

"What do you want me to do with the body?"

"Look, I ain't the super smart fuckin detective you are man!" He snapped. "I just need to be told where to go and what to fucking hit—"

"We both know that's not true... you're just too close to it right now. I'll see what I can do Majima." 

"Right... See ya." 

Kiryu sighed and slipped his phone back in his pocket. He walked up to Date and Haruka, trying to find the words. Haruka, being too smart for her own good, covered his hand with her tiny one. In that instant she looked so much like Yumi, he patted her head. "I gotta go back out there Haruka."

"I know. Go find her, she helped keep me safe alot."

"She did?"

Date nodded, mentioning a few fights in the park where she'd dropped down from nowhere beat the offenders and disappeared back into the trees. "She mentioned something about Haruka being Majima's bounty to collect and no one else’s. So it's safe to assume he was looking out for us too in his own fucked up way."

"Then I owe them both. Will you two stay here?"

"Yeah. If anything goes down we got the Stardust across the street." Date nodded. "Go, you don't have much time before cops show up." 

"Yeah. I'll be back." Kiryu walked to the elevator and paused at the magazine rack by the door. At the top was a pamphlet of house listings. He picked it up and handed it over to Haruka. "Here, in the meantime, look for some place to live."

"Really?"

"Well yeah, I'm not gonna let you grow up in a bar." Kiryu smirked and headed out to the cold morning. It was overcast and threatening to snow. He needed to hurry before the elements washed away any other traces of her. 

A group of teens tried to stop him, threatening him for his wallet when two of Majima’s guys came around the corner and punched one of the kids in the face. Kiryu took advantage and hurried along the street towards the batting center. In the northwest corner stood a group of Majima’s men pushing people away who were trying to catch a glimpse of the body laid against the wall. He needed to hurry, so they could dispose of the body before cops couldn’t ignore it any longer. 

“Hey Kazuma-san.” Nishida came up beside him when he finally reached the body. “She got him in the neck. Barely nicked his artery but he couldn’t stop the bleeding.” He pointed at the large pool of blood under the man. “Boss said not to touch it till you got here though.”

“Yeah…” Kiryu lifted the hood and pulled off the ski mask the man was wearing. Definitely not Japanese. “I think they’re from Mexico too.” He searched the pockets, finding a cellphone, a note and a thin gold chain with an initial. “The phone’s in Spanish… I think that’s all we can get off this guy. Get him outta here.”

“On it Kazuma-San.” Nishida nodded and motioned to the others to start wrapping the body in a tarp. “Boss is still by the park entrance. Trail stops by Vincent’s. He thinks they had a car waiting there.”

“Yeah. Alright I’ll go see him.” Kiryu followed the same trail himself, bloody footprints. Some were narrow and small, clearly Rosa’s. He watched her boot-steps struggle against their hold, each step leaving less and less of a trace then her boots left dragging marks. They knocked her out. He looked up at the restaurants that lined the street. Spotting a handful of cameras on his way to the park. 

Majima was smoking a cigarette by the lit bonfire in the park. He was glaring daggers at the spot a taxi usually sat. “Kiryu-chan…” He grinned, almost evilly but the furrowed brow betrayed how worried he actually was. At least Kiryu thought so. “I hope you figured something out.”

“I have an idea. Come on." Kiryu led him through the men's restroom and through a stall into Purgatory. "There were cameras on those restaurants the whole way to the car."

"Got it." Majima nodded and followed him past the tournament arena towards the massive house at the end of the walkway. 

He'd never been in here before, getting stopped at the door every time. This time however, the men watching the doors stepped aside and bowed to them both. The man on the right gestured for them to follow down a side hallway and some stairs. and stopping beside a heavy metal door. Kiryu practically slammed it open.

"Kiryu, I was expecting you but if you could not break my damn door." The gruff older man at the desk was typing away on his computer. Majima meanwhile was staring at the sheer amount of camera footage and live feeds that surrounded him. He knew The Florist was an info broker but this was an insane amount of information all at once.

"Fix your hinges, I barely touched it. We need your help." He came up to stand beside the Florist while he rewound the entire event. 

"Yeah I already pulled the video from those cameras. Traced them all the way back from leaving Majima-san's place." 

The video started in his fucking hallway outside his apartment. His hallway . He was actually thankful the cameras were there, since now he could piece together what happened to her. Four guys, all tall and burly, walked up to his door and knocked on it. The audio was choppy but he was able to make out Rosa's first name. 

"[¡Emiliana open the door!]" 

"Don't worry, I managed to track down someone who understands spanish, I sent them a copy of this. They'll meet you by the old park entrance when we're done." The Florist resumed the video. The man at the door banged on it again, this time gaining the attention of Majima's boys that had stayed behind. They quickly circled the unwanted guests. They were threatened, but the four guys started shoving his men out of the way shouting in spanish which immediately set off the fight. The man at the door stepped back and kicked it down in one go. 

A knife instantly flew through the open door hitting the attacker in the shoulder, and Majima hummed in appreciation, but it was fleeting. His guys were taken out fast and hard. Leaving just Rosa to fend off the attackers. They all crashed into the apartment and more struggling could be heard. Someone shouted in pain. The man whose body was currently being dumped was kicked out the door landing on his knees and grabbing his throat. 

Majima swallowed his anger at hearing her shouting and struggling. Two of her abductors held her by the arms and carried her out the apartment. Both bleeding from somewhere meanwhile she looked no worse for wear.

"[¡Let me go! ¡Let go you fuckers!]" She was still struggling, never once letting them have a moment to breathe. She managed to kick one in the crotch which led to her getting slapped across the face. That almost knocked her out, it was at least enough to disorient her. “[Son of a whore…]” She spat back at him, though her vision seemed cloudy. 

“[¡Get her to the fucking car! I’ll help Julio.]”  

The cameras followed the two that held Rosa outside. They traversed through alleys and side streets threatening anyone who glanced their way with a gun. Rosa was still struggling, trying her best to loosen their grip of her. They followed them all the way to the taxi waiting by Vincent. At this point one of them managed to knock her out cold. One of Majima’s men caught sight of them and yelled inside for back up. They rushed the three remaining men but were quickly knocked down, one was even hit by the car as they drove away. 

"Got to hand it to your boys. For being caught off guard they were a fight on sight." The Florist followed the car through traffic cameras but lost them on the freeway. "I may be wrong but it seems to me like they're heading to the bay. I would double check with this lady though." The screen switched to show a woman watching a video in one of the homless' huts. "I'll see if I can dig anything else up and shoot you a message if I do." 

The walk back up was quiet, Majima was mainly staring at the floor. “Hey…” Kiryu looked over to him. “We’ll get her back.”

“If she sets one foot off of this country she’s as good as dead.” Majima muttered angrily, resting his bat on his shoulders. 

“There’s something I don’t know then?” Kiryu stopped by the stairs and waited, either for an explanation, information or Majima to compose himself. Whichever came first. 

“When she came here looking for her brother, Tomas, she killed the guy that raised her. He was using her, apparently she’s a damn good assassin.” He figured he might as well tell Kiryu everything. If it helped then it would be worth him spilling her secrets. “She stole money from the guy’s safe and stowed away on a shipping carrier to get here. There’s no way Immigration knew she was here. She’s good at losin’ tails and if she doesn’t wanna be seen she won’t be. I’m telling ya those guys pretending to be feds were put up to it.”

“Then they were just used to make sure she was there.” Back topside they followed the path to the decided meeting place in the middle of the park. 

“And I served her up on a damn platter for them. I showed the guy the passport I had made for her. The visa we faked. I— I shoulda fucking known— I was so—DAMN IT!” Majima swung his bat at a light post. The bulb flickered as dust and dirt rained down on both of them but neither men moved. “I was so fucking stupid. I was worried it was legit, that they’d actually found her…” 

Kiryu stayed silent, this man he’d always deemed a touch insane, and impossible to read was near breaking point. A feeling he was all too familiar with and still too raw of a hurt to dwell on. Majima dropped the now bent bat on the floor with a clatter. 

“Kiryu… I was scared. I ain’t never been that…that fucking helpless before.” He struggled to find his words. All that was running through his mind was that quiet vulnerability he’d been able to share with her and the realization that he was terrified of losing it. “It wasn’t somethin’ I could hit or beat up. This wasn’t someone I coulda blamed or… It’a been something I couldn’t control. I’da been forced to watch her get put in a car and shipped off.” Majima pulled out the silver ring he bought earlier. “Look what I was gonna do man! Just to keep her here, just ta hang on to her a while longer!” 

“Then let’s make sure you can still do that.” Kiryu took the ring and put it back in Majima’s pocket. “Blaming yourself won’t help her. You didn’t know and there’s no way you would’ve known. Come on.” Kiryu turned on his heel and continued on the path. He heard Majima scoff a quiet chuckle and start to follow. 

The woman they’d been told to meet was waiting for them and nodded a quick hello when they arrived. “Good evening, I am Tashiro Sabrina. I have translated what I could from the video. I am sorry about what happened to her.”

“Thank you very much.” Kiryu accepted the papers with the translations she’d written out. “You understood all of it?”

“Most of it. Some of the things she yelled at them were a dialect of Spanish I don’t know. My mother is from America, not Mexico but I learned Spanish from her.” She looked over at Majima who was staring at her curiously. “My father is Japanese, so I learned all three languages growing up. I was able to understand what the two men said to each other right before one of them passed. That’s on the last page there. In general, there is a bounty on her head, that’s why they weren’t able to hurt her. They wouldn’t be paid if any harm came to her.”

“Here’s hoping it stays that way.” Kiryu showed Majima the translations. “She put up a fight verbally too.”

“So that’s what that means…” Majima took the notes and laughed at the various swears she threw at her captors. His smile fell when he got to the third page. “This part here…”

“Yeah. I’m sorry sir.”

Majima stared at the words. She’d at one point begged at a camera. She knew. She knew he’d ask Kiryu for help, that it would lead to the Florist, that they’d find a translator. She was always a step ahead except for the one time he wished she was. 

 

Don’t follow! Please don’t follow them! Hat Goro please don’t chase after me! I’m sorry!

I’ll kill that Japanese fucker if you don’t shut up.

I love you—

Shut up! He can’t hear you—

He will! If it costs me my life I don’t care bastard!

Bitch—

 

Majima cleared his throat, and handed the papers back to Kiryu, choosing to distract himself with the conversation had between the leader and the dying man. 

 

She got— 

I know man. Fuck. Fuck you’re loosing too much—

Leave—

Just make it to the car man. When we get to drop off—

No— leave me—

Shit. Shit man stay awake! Just make it to the boat— Julio!

 

“Boat.” Majima read the last line aloud. “Flower boy was right. They’re headed to the loading bays. It’s the closest place where private boats can dock.”

“Tashiro-san. Think you could figure out exactly where with this?” Kiryu pulled out the dead man’s phone, the note and the thin chain he’d found in his pockets. 

Majima snatched the chain and stared at it. He took a deep breath and paced away for a moment, gripping the golden letter tight in his fist. Sabrina opened the note and shook her head, it was just Majima’s address, nothing new. She searched through the phone's messages. Translating whatever she thought would be useful. Mostly reiterating the plan to kidnap her. 

“They were watching. Waiting for when you two weren’t together.” She glanced up at Majima who seemed to have calmed down to a degree. “Looks like they’re taking her… here the last messages say ‘drop her off at the base, bay 16. Hurt her and I’ll kill you myself.’ Then another message. “Change of plans, those Japanese bastards want her on the yacht. Bay 17.” There. Bay 17, and you should hurry.”

“Then let’s get going. Thank you Tashiro-San.” Kiryu took the phone back and nodded to Sabrina. 

“Wait. Here, take these.” She handed them each an ear piece. Which they took and stared at her with matching puzzled looks. “I can listen and translate should the need arise. I’ll be with the Florist. He has the receiver plugged into his system. It’s a direct channel that way and I won’t lose connection.”

“Pretty fucking convenient.” Goro muttered, attaching his to his ear. 

“Well he was a cop once.“ Sabrina shrugged. “I’ll be listening.”

“Thank you.” Kiryu gave her one last bow in thanks before walking away. Majima haphazardly did the same before chasing after. 

He pulled his phone out and dialed, keeping pace with Kiryu as they left Purgatory. He patted Kiryu’s shoulder and led him to a nearby parking garage while he instructed Nishida to gather the boys and head to the warf to wait for instructions. They reached his car and Majima took the driver's seat. Starting the car as Kiryu got in and answered his own phone. 

“Hey.”

“Kiryu, I looked into this group. They're the Mexican Mafia. Don’t remember the word for em but they’re dangerous.”

“Right.”

“No I mean they’re not like Yakuza or the Chinese Mafia that let their fists do the talking. They fight dirty and use a lot of guns.”

“Got it.”

“Alright just don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

“I’ll be fine, but thanks for the warning.”

“I can’t tell what bay they’re heading to but it’s either 15, 16 or 17. There’s a busted retired shipping carrier there. My money is that’s what they’re using as a ba— yeah… ok… got it. Hey Kiryu, those guys playin’ Cop, they’re workin for ‘em. They’re the contacts pretending to be Yakuza that Majima’s been looking for.”

“Got it. Thanks.” Kiryu hung up and glared out the window. “Hey. Florist says you were right. They weren’t Immigration, they’re the ones playing Yakuza.”

“Are they with the Cartel?”

“Is that what they’re called?” He watched Majima grip the steering wheel tighter. “Yeah. Apparently they play dirty. Lots of guns so we’ll want to be careful.”

“Yeah don’t really feel like gettin shot again.” Majima slammed on the gas and weaved through traffic.

Chapter 10

Notes:

At the end some folks will be speaking a third language. Same rule applies, just an extra bracket. [[it’ll look like this.]]

Chapter Text

Rosa woke with a pounding in her head. It was dark around her save for the faint light from a single candle. She could see a figure leaning against the wall of the shipping container she’d been chained to. 

“[You’re awake. Good. ¿How’s your head?]”

“[¿What happened to Tomas?]”

“[¿You think I give a shit?]” The voice sounded familiar to her, and if it was who she thought it was…

“[No. I just think you know.]” She watched the man take a few steps closer. He hit a switch and the light blinded her, but she didn’t flinch. She glared daggers at Armando’s son. The ‘spoiled brat‘ that never truly amounted to anything in his fathers eyes. “[So this is where he sent you. He did always think you utterly useless Martin.]” That earned her a slap, which she laughed off. 

“[We’ll see who’s useless. I got your little Japanese friends walking into a trap.]”

“[¿Telling me out of courtesy?]”

Martin made a face, one that posed a wordless question. “[Wanted to know if you’d like to watch.]”

“[No it’s alright. I’m sure they’ll catch on and be fine in the end.]” She adjusted herself in the chair and made herself as comfortable as possible in her restraints. Giving him a mocking smirk as her answer. “[I do want to talk about you though.]” She nodded at the two men behind him. “[Since I’m not the only one with Japanese friends.]” 

“[They're just here to make sure you die. Don’t want to cross Yakuza you know.]”

“[Honestly Martin I knew you were dense but I never took you for an imbecile.]” She scoffed. “[¿You know they aren’t Yakuza right? They’re lying to you.]”

He slapped her again, and again she laughed. “Very good. I see you have him convinced you are Yakuza.” She looked over at the other two. “You want me dead so I don’t get the Tojo Clan involved, yes?”

She watched one of the men shift uncomfortably, practically confirming her suspicions. Rosa tsked twice which made Martin grab a metal pipe instead of the knife. 

“It’s too late. If I die, Majima Goro will fall on this harbor like a storm. None of you will make it out alive. They already know, and if Kazuma Kiryu is with him, then all of Tojo will know.” 

“[¡Shut up!]” Martin moved to strike her when a hand grabbed his arm and stopped him. One of the men who’d pretended to be Immigration, was glaring at them both. 

“[Wait. We talk.]” His Spanish was incredibly rough but it got the point across. 

“[¡¿For what?! ¡Whatever she’s saying she’s lying, that’s what she does!]”

“Actually I tell the truth many times. People are always shocked.” Rosa hummed, her annoying grin was driving them crazy. 

“[Talk first.]” The man insisted. 

“[Fine. Make it quick.]” He glanced at Rosa angrily. 

“[Martin, let them do the interrogating.]” She smirked at him. “[You were always shit at it.]”

“[¡Shut up!]” Martin swung the metal pipe before the other man could stop him striking her in the jaw. As expected it didn’t break, it barely hurt, it was more just throbbing. Not that it stopped her laughter. “[¡Fucking crazy bitch!]”

“[Oh you have no idea.]” She managed to gasp out through her laughter, staring dead at the fake Yakuza. “[No idea what’s coming for you.]”


“Alright so what’s the plan?” Majima was crouched behind some barrels near the front of a yacht. 

“Something isn’t right.” Kiryu was glaring at the boat then glancing at the neighboring loading bay. Everything was pointing at the yacht being where Rosa was kept, but his gut was telling him it was the shipping carrier they should be searching through. “I know this is the right bay but if they’re using that as their base why bring her here to this boat?”

“If it’s a trap it’s too obvious.” The Florist’s voice crackled in their ear, startling Goro into bumping a barrel. “Give me a second. Let me see if I can get into their cameras.”

Kiryu meanwhile was watching the guards patrolling the yacht. They moved too erratically, there were no set paths or even a method to how they scanned the deck. A single light was on in the yacht’s main cabin and an immobile  silhouette could be seen inside. 

“I don’t like this. It doesn’t make sense…” Kiryu breathed. 

“Yo, Flower Boy you get that shit figured out?” Majima was fighting the urge to just run into the yacht. As much as he just wanted to let loose, he couldn’t help but agree. Something smelled off about this whole thing. 

Something smelled. 

Majima glanced at the barrels behind him. Oil. Drums of oil lined the loading bay and there were a few more on the yacht’s deck. 

“Shit… we gotta get outta here Kiryu.”

“What—“ He followed his gaze and stared at the drums, then at the boat. He’d been so distracted by the guards moving strangely he hadn’t even noticed the ship was rigged to blow. “Let’s go. Quiet.“ 

Majima started to type a message to Nishida. Directing the boys to the correct loading bay when an epiphany struck him like fireworks. Fireworks would be good. “Wait… I got an idea.” 

Kiryu could never read Majima, he didn’t think he’d ever want to. This… this was one time he wished he could.


Time was always hard for Rosa. She was never very good at telling how much had passed or if it truly did freeze like she sometimes felt it did. She’d been in that chair for what felt like hours and the three false Yakuza were drilling her with questions about the Tojo Clan. 

Martin wasn’t wrong, she did lie very easily. But this time there was genuinely no need to. She didn’t know the answers they wanted. As much time as she spent with Majima, they rarely ever talked about what was going on. A part of him wanted to keep her safe from it, she saw it in his eyes whenever she’d ask to help. He was terrified that something would happen but still trusting in her skills. He’d tell her to help in ways that kept her away from the others rather than involved in his fights. 

Because of that, she didn’t have what they wanted, not that she’d give it to them anyway. 

Another hard slap to the face brought her back to the present. She’d been tormenting them too, ignoring their questions, answering them in riddles, or even taunting them. They’d taken turns with her. Each a different approach and each failing. What they didn’t seem to understand is that she was trained not to break. A fox keeps their secrets safe, buried away and unreachable by anyone but them. 

The chill air was seeping into the shipping container they kept her in. As cold as it was, it was helping to keep her from bleeding too badly. She’d barely had time to put on her belts, much less her pull over and coat. Her exposed skin unfortunately made for a great place to start tormenting her. She had several cuts along her arms now and a few more on her abdomen. None were life threatening but if they kept this up she’d get too disoriented to fight her way out. 

“Answer the question!” The one others called Boss, was now who was waving a knife around haphazardly at her face. Which only made her chuckle. 

“If you are trying to scare me, you will need to do more than that…” She tilted her head to the side, and smirked. She let her vision blur, playing along with the role of ‘dazed hostage’ as best she could. 

“Who is to be the next Chairman?” He slashed the knife at her face, just barely cutting the skin on her cheek. He’d expected her to move, to flinch, but all she did was smile. 

“You’re not very good at this.” She frowned, the sudden change in expression made the ‘Boss’ scowl. “Would you like some pointers? Here let’s trade places!” Her annoyingly cheerful tone seemed to dig at the man. “It will be so fun!”

“Crazy bitch!” He moved to stab the knife into her thigh but she moved it last second and head butted him hard. He took a few steps back, holding his face and trying to steady himself. 

“Careful, careful…” She sang. 

The door swung open hard. Letting in Martin and one of the other fake Yakuza. He nodded to his boss and approached cautiously. 

“Sir. They did not take the bait.”

“Hmm…”

“There is a man out on the loading bay sir. They say they want to bargain for her.”

“Bargain who?”

“Majima Goro wants to trade Kazuma Kiryu for her.” 

Rosa watched them both curiously, there were many things about this conversation that caught her attention, aside from the obvious. One, the newcomer had an accent, and spoke much like she did. A robot, as Goro called it. Two, he didn’t bow when he approached his superior, instead a brief nod which isn’t what she’d gotten used to seeing in Japan. 

They both looked at her as she finished putting the pieces together. She smirked and leaned back in her chair as casually as she could. “So… where ya from?” She mimicked Majima’s accent and sung the words like he did when they’d first met. 

“[[I would have been worried if they’d fallen for that. This will be much more interesting. Get everyone ready, these brutes will probably drive right up to the gate for a fight.]]”

“[[Yes sir.]]” 

“Ooooh fun.” She mocked. “Another language, but I have heard this one before. So, Korea yes? North or South?”

“[[Get a gag for the bitch. I’m tired of her chattering.]]”

Chapter Text

Kiryu did not trust this plan for a single second, which was probably helping make it seem more believable. Majima pulled him along towards the agreed upon meeting place. A warehouse near the decommissioned shipping carrier. They were each allowed to bring one other person, so Nishida was walking nervously along behind him, playing his part as well as he always did. 

Majima opened the door and shoved Kiryu in, nearly knocking him into a table. “What do we got here?” He watched the opposing party curiously. “I know you. You’re the bastard that interrupted my beauty sleep.”

“And you’re the idiot that’s handing over the Dragon on a silver platter. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Tch. I hope you know what you’re asking for… this ain’t just a quick trade.” Majima was doing his best to avoid looking at her, she was covered in cuts and bruises all over her arms and face. Beside her was the man he’d met at his door pretending to be Immigration and another larger man stood leaned against the back wall with his arms crossed glaring at Majima. “I could just hand over my favorite past time for my other favorite past time. But then I’m leaving with about the same I came in with. While you get ya hands on what you want.”

“It’s a good trade.” The man shrugged. “But fair enough. What is it you want then?”

“Well let’s start with ya name?”

“Ah yes, how rude of me.” The man bowed slightly. “Yashiro Min.”

“Alright Yashiro-San.” Majima drew his knife and held it pressed against Kiryu’s neck, startling the man. “Next ya gonna hand her over nice and slow.”

“You realize I can just get what I need out of her right?”

“Nah. I didn’t get her involved in my shit on purpose. She doesn’t know anything. But this guy here, he’s seen the 3rd Chairman’s will.” Majima watched the brief flash of interest in Yashiro’s eyes. “He’s got it kept nice and safe. Knows where it is and who’s next. She don’t know shit. So, how ‘bout we do this my way?” 

Yashiro gestured to the man behind them. He drew a pistol and pressed the barrel against Rosa’s head never once taking his glare off of Goro. “I can say the same. I hope this wasn’t your only plan. It’s not very well thought out.” 

Majima caught a glimpse of Rosa rolling her eyes and shaking her head, briefly nodding towards the giant glaring Mexican behind her. He watched the man slowly and silently move his aim to Yashiro. Majima grinned, he hadn’t expected help, but he wouldn’t turn it down. 

“Is that what ya think? Guess I’ve made a shit impression..” Majima removed the knife from Kiryu’s neck and pointed it at Yashiro instead. “Let’s start over. What do I want  what do I want?…” He tapped his forehead as he thought. 

“Boss—“

“What?!” Majima turned the knife to Nishida, who flinched away before showing him the message on his phone. Heavy artillery was found on the ship by his boys, and they were asking if they should still go ahead with the plan. “Oh ho! Yeah!” He turned to Yashiro, answering both the question and the epiphany he’d just had. The loading bay was as good as theirs. “New plan! You’re gonna sit in that chair and answer all my questions.”

“And why would I—“ The click of his subordinates gun behind his head silenced him. “How did I know this would happen…” Yashiro sighed. “There’s no—“ The man struck him hard in the head, dropping him to the ground in a daze. He untied Rosa and nodded to her once before picking up Yashiro and slamming him into the chair. 

Rosa walked up to the others. Nishida was cutting Kiryu loose who seemed to be exhaling a sigh of relief. The first thing she did, was wipe the blood from her face with her torn up shirt. The next was throw her arms around Goro’s neck and kiss him. 

“I told you not to—“

“Since when have I ever fucking listened.” He growled, furious at the state of her. He moved to hurt the one responsible but Rosa stopped him with a glare. There was a glimpse of that darkness again, like she was briefly void of any and all feeling. A switch about to be flipped in her mind while she walked up to the other man and reached out her hand. 

“Martin… [the gun.]”

“It’s full of blanks you idiots—“

“The only idiot here is you if you think I can’t make this hurt you.” She clicked back the hammer and pressed the barrel into his side and fired. She knelt down next to him as he writhed. “There may not be a live round but it can still kill if I put it in the right place.” She tutted. “So, let’s answer some questions yes?” She stood up and paced around him. “Why are a couple of Koreans so interested in the Tojo clan?”

“Koreans?” Kiryu’s brow somehow grew even more stern as he glanced between her the man tied to the chair. She was still bleeding and the dead look in her eyes sent a chill down his spine. 

“Oh yes, all of them are.”

“I’ll die before I tell you anything—“ He screamed as she pressed the barrel against his left knee and fired down towards his foot. There was no hesitation in her movements, no remorse, not a shred of humanity shined in her while she waited for him to catch his breath. Though it was a blank, it still managed to burn through his clothes and cut him open. He was bleeding profusely now, raining down from his shattered knee. 

“That’s fine. Don’t tell me anything.” She shrugged, and leaned into his space with a fiendish grin. “I promised you pointers remember?” She gestured to her arms. “This? Cutting up my arms, does nothing. That’s not how you get people to talk. The trick is, first you have to make them beg.” She pressed the gun against his other knee and paused at the sound of his whisper. “I’m sorry what was that? I do not think I heard you.”

“Fuck…” Majima couldn’t tear his eyes away, he was impressed, terrified and oddly aroused by this. And he didn’t know if any of them were the wrong thing to feel. 

“I know your secret.” Yashiro mumbled. “Got it out of your worthless brother before I pulled the trigger.”

Rosa smiled at him and fired, shattering his other knee.  She waved the gun like she was conducting an orchestra. “This is where the music gets good listen.” The barrel pressed against Yashiro’s shoulder and fired again. 

“[[Fucking bitch!]]”

“Sorry don’t understand Korean.” She gently patted his his cheek and pouted. “So, how about you—“

“No! I’m a dead man anyway, I will die before I tell you anything about us. That is our creed.” He took a shaken breath and grinned up at her. “But before I do, I will tell you something about you.”

Martin pushed past Majima and Kiryu, shouting something at Rosa to try and distract her but whatever Yashiro said did something to her. Majima watched her stand up straight and turn to face the three of them. The Korean tied to the chair was practically cackling as Rosa stood at attention at his side. “Untie me.” Rosa did so, taking one of her blades and cutting the ropes off. Yashiro fiddled with something on his left finger. “My time is up, but I’m making sure you all go with me.” He slid open a small compartment in his ring and looked up at Rosa. “Kill them all, then kill yourself.” He knocked back the ring and breathed in the powder. He convulsed in his seat, coughing up blood and bile until he slumped from the chair, dead.  

“What the fuck?!” Majima glanced between Yashiro’s body and Rosa, who was drawing another knife and slowly approaching them. Once upon a time he wanted to know what that darkness was in her laugh, he wanted to play with the fire and test the limit. Now he wished it was never in her. This wasn’t the Rosa he knew. This was the tool she claimed to have been for a mafia. A weapon that took orders and fulfilled them as though that was all they were bred for. The fire in her eyes was filled over, her expression blank and void of any tells. She moved fluidly towards them, acting purely on instinct and without thought. Majima had never taken a step back in fear before, but this, this did it. 

“[¡Run!]” The man Rosa called Martin grabbed them by the arm and dragged them all out of the small building. Nishida slammed the door shut behind him and braced a barrel against it. 

“What the fuck is going on? Who the hell are you?!” Majima ripped the man’s hand off his arm and drew his knife. “What’s wrong with her?!”

Martin hesitated raising his hands to show he wasn’t a threat. He opened his mouth to speak when Rosa kicked at the door. The barrel bounced and Nishida threw his weight against it as she fought to break it down. 

“Rosita.” Martin pointed at the door. “Secret… words… [god damn it—]”

“I got a lady in my ear translating Spanish just fucking go for it man!”

“[Oh thank god. Ok Rosita is under Armando’s influence—]”

“He’s dead though.”

“[¡Good! But not the point. ¿She told you she never met her parents right?]” 

“Yeah. Her and her brother. Twins yeah?” Goro glanced at the door, now having two of his men hold it back while Nishida blocked up the windows in case she got any ideas. 

“[Armando found them when they raided a warehouse on the border of Mexico and America. He thought it was a rival gang, turns out it was the Soviets trying to back door into the United States.]” Martin was trying his best to speed through it, Rosa was starting to get desperate. Several windows had already been broken but thankfully Nishida had been a step ahead. “[The twins were in cages, being prepped as sleeper agents. Hypnosis, brainwashing.]”

“Like a fucking spy movie?!” 

“[Yes. They were five and ready to be indoctrinated with a phrase and full training. The man in charge of them bargained for his life. Said he’d give them to Armando if he let him get away and live. He put the kids in a trance, blocked off their memories and set a phrase. The only way to get her to snap out of this is to say the phrase again.]”

“Ok so what is it? What’s the phrase to stop this?” Kiryu watched as everyone grew on edge, she’d stopped trying the doors and windows. Instead everything had grown suspiciously still. 

“[I don’t know, but I bet it’s back on the ship.]”

“We’ve rigged it to blow. The yacht’s gonna crash into it in fifteen minutes!” Majima checked his phone for the timer. “Sorry, 13 minutes, 41 seconds, is there another way?”

Martin shook his head. “[It's not permanent she can snap out of it on her own but at any given moment she can fall back into it. She could go days like this, be fine for two then fall back into the trance. It’ll be a constant fight and you’ll never know when it could switch… I’ll go back on the ship… I owe it her.]”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Kiryu—“ Majima started to protest but Kiryu was already taking a step away. 

“You stay here and make sure she doesn’t get out and if she does see if you can snap her out of it.”

“Yo!” 

“You’re the only one that knows her well enough of the two of us man. Snap her out of it, so you can do what you were planning.” With that Kiryu jogged off towards the shipping carrier with Martin. 

“Umm boss… what do we do?” He turned around at the sound of Nishida’s worrying and froze. Rosa was standing on the roof of the warehouse, her staff extended and poised for a fight. 

Majima drew his blade and tossed it at Nishida. “Find me a bat or something, I’m about to have my fucking ass handed to me.” 

Rosa hopped down from the roof and three of his men instantly got in her way. She knocked them down fast and hard, rendering two unconscious and one dry heaving from taking a pole to his throat. 

“Stay out of it! All of you stay out of it unless I say so. This is between her and me!” Majima ordered as four more were about to step forward. They all bowed and acknowledged him. “Rosa, babe. I didn’t think our first fight would be with an audience.” He didn’t get a response, but he saw a second’s hesitation in her step. Good, a small part of her was still aware. “All right. I can do this. Just… just gotta beat up my girlfriend.” Majima shook off the nerves and readied himself for a fight. He’d stay primarily on the defensive unless he could find a way to incapacitate her without hurting her too much. 

At least that was his plan until she spun and brought her staff barreling down towards his head in the blink of an eye.

Chapter Text

The run towards the carrier was silent, Martin looked around and saw no one left standing or conscious. “[You guys work quick.]”

“Majima split his men up. Some drove right up to the front, others snuck on with the yacht before lining it up.” Kiryu nodded, following the man through the maze of shipping containers.

“[¿Lining it up?]”

“Yeah… the carrier’s set to blow, but the yacht’s what’s setting it off.” Martin stayed quiet as they passed more open containers. Many were turned into barracks, some into offices or production lines. They were making their own bullets and preparing for something big. “What were they planning?” Kiryu was in awe at the size of the operation being undertaken right under their noses  

“[I don’t know, after a while I stopped being a business partner and just muscle. I figured if I just stayed that way I’d hear more, find a way to stop them. I always hated this life, but Armando was my father, so I was forced into it.]” He gestured towards the main bridge on the upper deck. “[Their office is up there. I’ve never been inside. No one but them have. Some have tried to get close but they tend to ‘go missing’ if you know what I mean.]”

Kiryu nodded at the words Sabrina was translating in his ear. Then she added her own message. “Kiryu-san, hurry. Majima-san is holding back and she might actually kill him…”

“We have to hurry. She got out.” They both took off up the stairs towards the main deck. Inside they were met with a dimly lit passageway. The bulkheads echoed their every step back to them, making their approach insufferably loud. Kiryu slowed down and came to a stop just a few feet away from the door. Martin was already inside the office when he noticed Kiryu wasn’t following. 

“[¿What is it?]”

“Somethings not rig—“ Kiryu took a boot to the face as someone dressed in all black swung down from the pipes running overhead. Kiryu rolled towards the door and swung it shut. “Find the phrase!”

“[¡Wait! I think that’s—]”

“Just find what we need! We have eight minutes left!” Kiryu readied himself for a fight when he watched the hooded figure pull out a knife. They dashed at each other, Kiryu blocked the attempt at a stab with his left forearm and punched the attacker with a wide hook to the cheek. They stumbled back, letting the hood fall off their face. Thick black hair covered his brow and eyes, but Kiryu knew, all it took was one look and he knew. “Tomas, nice to meet you. I’m gonna assume you’re in the same state as your sister…” 

Tomas shook off the punch and stared at Kiryu with the same dead cold green eyes he'd seen on Rosa. He rushed him again but Kiryu was able to pivot away from the knife. He landed a jab to his side and brought his fists down on his back. Tomas rolled and recovered, swiping his leg across and almost toppling Kiryu. The distraction was enough for Tomas to jump and bring the blade down towards his face. Kiryu blocked the attack, bracing his arms into Tomas’ and slamming the butt of the knife into its owners face. They both rolled away and hopped back onto their feet. “You find it yet?!”

Martin shouted something but Sabrina couldn’t make out what it was. Tomas rolled and managed to swipe his blade across Kiryu’s leg and avoid being grabbed. Kiryu took two steps back and waited for another hit, right as Tomas entered his range he punched into his chest hard, sending him flying backwards and landing on his back. 

Tomas sat up, coughing from the hit, he seemed disoriented and dazed, glancing around him with no recognition. His eyes landed on Kiryu and he squinted in confusion, tilting his head in a familiar way. 

“Tomas?” Kiryu kept his fists up for a fight just in case. “Can you understand me?”

“[Y-Yes. A little. ¿Who are you? ¿Where am I?]”

“You’re in Japan.”

“[No. No I was in Mexico— oh god… ¿What have I done? ¡¿What did I do?! ¿Where’s Rosita—]” 

“Slow down!” Kiryu lowered his fists and slowly started to approach. Worried that a panic would set him off again. The metal door to the bridge suddenly burst open and Kiryu watched Tomas’ eyes grow dull and hazy again. Before he knew it he was on his back and Tomas was using both hands to try and stab his knife through Kiryu’s heart. 

 “Capoltic tlalepatl Tomas!” Martin shouted the words and Tomas suddenly took a deep breath and jumped to his feet, looking around frantically. “Tomas! [¡Look at me! ¡Look at me please I’m begging you!]” Martin was practically in tears. Tomas still seemed out of it, but more so from the panic. 

“[¿What happened?! Martin— love—W— ¡¿What happened?! ¿Where am I—]”

“[Tomas we have to go. ¡I’ll explain later but this ship is gonna blow!]” Martin ran up and hugged Tomas tight. “Kiryu! [¿You ok?]”

“Yeah… yeah you know the phrase?” Kiryu dusted himself off and stood. 

He nodded and gestured to the door. “[¡Lets go!]”


Majima landed on his back and pushed her off of him. He rolled back onto his feet, and blocked her staff with a pipe Nishida had found. He wasn’t allowed a moment’s rest. He may have thought she was fast when he watched her fight, but this was a level of relentlessness he’d never had in a fight before. Not one moment to think since it started, only reactions, only instinct. 

It took a bit for his body to fall into that rhythm, which means he’d taken quite a few hits. He’d been so used to trying to outmaneuver his opponents in a fight, he’d never simply relied on it to do what needed to be done. If it weren’t for the fact that he might die at her hands, she’d make a really good sparring partner. Kiryu-Chan had force and fury. Rosa had elegance and speed. Two completely different styles, and hers wasn’t one typically found in street fights. It was no wonder gangs and delinquents alike fell at her feet effortlessly. 

He blocked another swing of her pole-staff with the pipe. The loud clang would take a while to fade from his ears. His earpiece had fallen out early in the fight, he’d either have to hope they make it off the ship in time or that he’d snap her out of it. He blocked another hit from her staff and she growled in frustration. 

“Now, now, let’s not make those noises in public babe.” His joking had been working in making her hesitate a step here and there. It helped him gather his footing, or find an opening to trip her off hers but she never stayed down for long. She leaned back and twisted something on her staff, one end opened up and a piece of wood inside became exposed. She slammed that end onto the concrete and dragged it across in front of them, a piece of flint sparked and the exposed wood immediately set aflame. “Seriously?! Fire?!”

Rosa spun her staff around and poised herself for the fight again. Majima was out of breath but thankfully so was she. They’d been somewhat equal in the fight, he’d been just as relentless in trying to pin her as she was in trying to kill him. 

“Rosa can you hear me?” It was time for a different approach, he just hated that so many of his men were there watching. “Rosa please. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Rosa took a step towards him, he took one back. 

“Emi, do you remember what you said on that roof a few weeks ago?” He mirrored each step she took, keeping the distance between them equal. “Said you trusted me, more than anyone. Do you remember?” She paused, a scowl fighting its way onto her face. He was getting a foothold, finding the loopholes in her semi-consciousness to bring her back. Then the expression vanished and he was met with cold indifference once more. 

“Ok that almost worked.” Majima sighed. “How about the first time I brought you to my place.” He noticed a few of his men shuffle awkwardly. “We didn’t do anything. Do you remember why? What you said to me?” 

Again she paused but this time it seemed to break through for a moment. “Goro—“ she gasped, tears suddenly streaming down her face. “Leave. Run, I do not want to hurt you—“

“I’m not goin’ anywhere hun. Keep fighting it. You don’t gotta listen to it—“

“I—I [¡I can’t! Please— I’m scared.]” A sob escaped her and just as abruptly as it started, it ended. Her expression dead panned again and she ran at him. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck—“ He managed to roll out of the way but she slammed the staff onto his coat and stopped him from going too far. The other end came down and struck him on the side hard. “Fuck that hurt…” He stood and ripped his jacket off to ready himself for the fight again. “That almost did it. Need something else—shit!” He held up the pipe again, holding back the flame lit end of her staff. It smelled of burning kerosene, which explained how quickly it had caught fire. 

He pushed the pipe to the side, pivoting and stepping suddenly into her space. He jabbed his elbow into her in the chest and swung the pipe around to knock her legs out from under her. Goro caught the end of the pole and ripped it out of her hands. He took a few steps back and watched her stay on all fours, her hair curtained over her face making it hard to tell which Rosa he was talking to. “Emi… please hun snap out of this.“ 

Rosa pushed herself onto her knees and pulled at her hair from the scalp. She was fighting for control and he didn’t know what else to do so he kept going. “When you got caught… when you got taken from me. I was pissed cuz I promised you. I told ya no one would touch you but me… and I was stupid and left ya alone.” He slowly lowered the staff in his hand when she started rocking back and forth. “Then in an alley you yelled at a camera cuz you fuckin knew, you knew I’d get help to find ya… you… said you loved me. Do you remember that?” He knelt down, still a safe distance away but wanting to be eye level with her. He watched her nod slowly, holding back her tears while she still fought with the order she’d been given. 

“Goro please… I am not safe— leave—“ She sobbed. 

“I ain’t leavin’, cuz guess what?” He swallowed his nerves, the embarrassment of saying this in front of his boys. It didn’t matter. This was important, more than any damn image he needed to uphold. He could always remind them who’s boss later, this was his one chance to tell her how he felt. “I… I love you too.” The moment the words left him he felt lighter than air, like he’d been carrying a weight around his shoulders all his life and these four little words freed him of it. She cried harder, hugging herself to keep from shaking. “I do, and I need ya to come back to me.”

He set the pole down and rolled it gently away towards one of his guys to the side. They quickly picked it up and dunked the lit end in a bucket of water nearby. He slowly rolled the pipe away too and started to inch closer. 

Everything in him was screaming at him to take this slow and quiet. 

Then his phone rang.

The ringtone cut through the silence as sharply as she cut through the space between them. He dodged out of the way, earning a cut on his arm rather than his face. They both stood back up, the vacant expression once again making itself present on her tear streaked face. “Someone answer my fucking phone!” Majima shouted, blocking every attempt Rosa was making at stabbing him. 

He managed to grab her arm and twist her over his shoulder and drop her onto the concrete on her back, he let gravity do most of the work, not wanting to actually hurt her. He stood over her, the remains of her torn up shirt in his hand. He stared at her tattoo for a moment, the white ink in the flowers surrounding the fox seemed to almost glow in the moonlight. He sighed and knelt down beside her, taking advantage of her stunned state. He pulled the last two daggers out of her belt and tossed them at someone nearby. “Hold thes—“ Goro landed on the ground hard, she tackled him and pressed a knee into his chest, making it hard to catch his breath again. He fought against her, pushing on her wrists while she aimed her last blade over his heart. 

Goro lifted a knee and shifted his weight, throwing off her balance and rolling them so he was hovered over her instead. He ripped the knife from her hand and tossed it aside. She wrapped her legs around his and twisted herself to leverage him back onto his back. She pulled another dagger from her boot and slammed it down but hit the concrete behind his shoulder. He’d sat up and hit her forehead with his own. Rosa grew disoriented and he took advantage to roll them back over, he pinned her arms over her head and sat on her legs, making it near impossible to move again. Granted now he was stuck in this position. Both of them, panting and exhausted from the fight. 

“Emi come back to me damn it!” The last thing he could try, shouting. “Fucking knock it off! You’re stronger than this!”

“Boss, it's Kiryu-san. Says they got the phrase! They’ll be here soon!” 

Majima didn’t know who said it, but he couldn’t look away. He had to keep his focus on the woman still trying to break out. “Tell them to hurry it the fuck up!”

“Yes boss!”

“Emi… fuck… Emi come on babe wake up!” His hand slipped and she used that advantage to elbow him and roll them back over. She drew yet another dagger from her other boot and tried to stab him. “How many of these do ya fucking got!” They struggled again, this time she aimed for his neck, and he was actually growing tired. He heard footsteps running much like how he was running out of time, running out of strength. His arms started shaking with the effort it took to keep her at bay. Then a voice he didn’t recognize shouted out his saving grace. 

 “Capoltic tlalepatl Emiliana!”

He watched her gasp in a lungful of air like she’d been drowning this whole time. Her hands dropped the dagger and her whole body started shaking. Majima immediately sat up and pulled her into a tight hug, letting her sob into his chest. He whispered things into her ear, things only for them, while she slowly came down from the panic she’d been in. “It’s ok. I’m here now. I’m here and I ain’t goin anywhere. Ya didn’t mean it. They made you do it.” She cried harder with each word he said “I love you, this ain’t gonna change that.”

“[¡I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…]”

“I have no clue what you said but I’m gonna stick with assuming your swearin’ at me.” 

He felt her laugh and it warmed his heart more than anything. He was about to say something when a deafening boom shook the loading bay. The shock from the explosion knocked a few people on the ground. 

Nishida’s voice carried in the stunned silence that followed. “Everybody load up we got maybe ten minutes before this place is crawling with cops. Let’s move it people!” 

Everyone sprung into action, getting onto the trucks and cars that brought them all here. 

Majima stood up and helped her onto her feet when Kiryu appeared beside him with his jacket and held out something he’d fished out of the pocket. Majima stretched out his hand and took the item, glancing at it, then Rosa who was furrowing her brow at the ring, then up at Kiryu. “You know I’m still gonna kick your ass one day right?”

“You know, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Kiryu laughed and took a few steps back. 

Goro looked over at Rosa and watched her expression soften and that gave him hope. “So uh… yeah I… well… fuck it, we’re doing this.” He cleared his throat and got down on one knee, he looked up at her wild green eyes and offered her a ring that matched them. “I almost lost ya, I got reminded that there’s one thing I can’t stop with a knife or my fists and that’s you getting taken away cuz of a piece of paper. Or well, a missing one. So, I wanna make it so that doesn’t ever happen. I wasn’t lying when I told you. I do… I do love you, and I’d like to see where this crazy shit takes us. Whadaya say?”

“Goro—“

“I know it’s fucking soon, but I don’t wanna risk it. Marry me… Emiliana.” He pronounced her name slowly, but he said it and it made her face light up with the brightest smile he’d ever seen. She nodded dropping to her knees and kissed him, tears streaming down her face again, but these ones were welcomed. They broke apart and slid the ring on her finger, he kissed her knuckles then her again. 

“[So… ¿When do I get introduced to the future brother-in-law?]” 

Rosa broke away and stared over at a face she’d fully accepted to never see again. He looked rather beaten, tired and a large bruise was forming on his cheek but it was definitely him. Standing there holding hands with Martin barely ten feet away. 

“[¿Tomas?]” She whispered. Majima looked up and saw a near identical expression of mischief and trouble under thick black hair. “[Is it really…]”

“[It’s me Rosita.]” Tomas nodded. 

She stood and rushed over. Tomas met her halfway, catching her in his arms and spinning her through the air in a tight hug. She was sobbing again, incapable of fully believing this to be real. “[¿I died on that fucking boat didn’t I?]” 

“[Shhhh it’s ok. I’m right here Rosita.]” 

“[¡You’re right here!]” She pulled back and held his face in her hands, staring up at her brother for the first time in years. “[I’m sorry, I should’ve come soo—]”

“[No. None of that. You came, that’s all that matters.]”

She laughed through her tears and held him tight again. 

“As much as I’d like ya to keep this goin’, we gotta split. Cops can’t ignore explosions.” Majima came up beside them both and gestured towards his car. The sooner they left the scene, the better.

Chapter 13: Epilogue

Chapter Text

“Nishida, I’m just sayin—“

“And I’m not listening, man.” Nishida hung his head in annoyance. “If either of them catch word that you been saying the things you’re saying—“

“What? They'll hug each other?” One of the newer recruits had been giving them all trouble ever since that night on the loading bay last week. A surprising amount of the family fully supported the marriage. Many of them already saw her as Lady of the Family anyway. Though that was mostly a mix of fear and respect. “My first raid with the family and its to save some foreign chick—“

“That ‘foreign chick’ is gonna be your Patriarch's wife.” Nishida snapped, slamming his fist on the desk between them. “You saw what’s she’s capable of—“

“And that’s another thing! The boss getting his ass handed to him by a woman—“

“Hey kid!” Three more of Majima’s boys had walked in on the conversation. “Show some fucking respect, or do you want us to teach it to you?”

“This just ain’t the Mad Dog I signed up to—“

“What’s your name?” Another voice came from the doorway.

“Ane-San.” Four of them addressed and bowed low to the woman it belonged to. 

“Mihara Toju… ma’am.” The fifth barely dipped his head, scowling at her. 

She was dressed in all back, an asymmetrical coat zipped up to keep out the snow. Two hoods were attached to its collar, both of which were down at the moment. “If you… doubt my fighting then I’d be happy to show you.” She grinned slowly, the light caught her eye in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. “If you think our little display made your Patriarch weaker, allow me to correct that line of thinking.” She approached him and grabbed him by the collar, she towered over him by several inches and lifted him onto his toes. “Any man worth his weight would fight tooth and nail for what he loves. You thought the Mad Dog was crazy before? Imagine what he’ll be like now that he has a reason to fight.” She tilted her head and frowned. “When was the last time you burned down a shipping carrier because they took something of yours?”

Mihara slapped her arms away but she was quick to swipe his feet out from under him and grab him by the hair. He flinched but slowly opened his eyes when no impact came. Instead he felt the painful strain of his weight being held up by his scalp. He saw the edge of the desk inches away from his face, its sharp corner threatening to cut his face open. He’d admit years later he was afraid, that he’d learned to respect her that day, but being young and prideful he chose the stupid route. 

He pushed himself from the desk and spun around to hit her but she dodged it quickly, pivoting and striking his side and neck with a jab. He fell to the floor clutching his throat trying to take a breath when her boot came down on his shoulder, smashing his face onto the floor. He heard a thud and stared at the knife embedded on the wooden floor in front of him, then looked up at her furious glare. 

“If you have such an aversion to following orders then by all means, see yourself to the next life.” She squatted down and grabbed his hair, dragging his face closer to the knife’s edge. His haggard whisper protested as best it could with his throat still in shock. “Oh, you're begging now. That means you’re ready to listen.” She slammed his face onto the floor again. Mihara felt a wet warmth start to spread down his face as he rolled onto his back and held his nose. “Let me make something clear.” She pulled the knife from the ground and ran its flat side along his cheek as she spoke. She smiled at the sound of his whimper. “I am not a weakness. I am a weapon , I was trained to be the deadliest and now I am the hidden knife up the Majima Family’s sleeve.” She hopped onto his chest, her weight making it difficult to take a full breath. “So how about we make a little deal, Mihara-san. Hmm? I won’t tell Goro about your little… What’s the word I’m looking for?” She made a gesture to the others for suggestions. One of the officers offered ‘attitude’ and she snapped her fingers. "That! Your attitude problem, as long as you promise to fix it.” Her smile disappeared and the stern look he got only wounded his pride more. “Keep this up though, and I promise you won’t like what he does to you. Deal?”

He nodded furiously and she smiled warmly at that. She patted his cheek twice and stood to face Nishida. “[Friend.] I came to tell you I was able to convince the people at the Dragon Palace to fork over protection money.”

“Holy shit really?!”

“Yes. Send a few people over to get a good idea of the area and maybe have some keep watch over the street. Those ‘homeless hunters’ are getting… shit, what was the word Goro used the other day. It was perfect…”

“Ballsy?”

“[That one!] Yes. Ballsy.” She snapped her fingers at the word. “Should make some very good money for now.”

“Yeah. You three actually.” Nishida pointed at the three men that had started to circle the new kid. “You guys would be perfect. Go get a good lay of the building. I think it’s four floors, three of them are gambling halls and I think a dojo is starting up on the fourth. Give ‘em a good impression boys. They’ll make us a lot of money.”

They all bowed respectfully to Nishida and Rosa before making their exit. Mihara pushed himself up and started for the door. 

“I didn’t say you could leave Mihara.” Nishida gestured for him to come forward. “Besides bitching, what was it you came to talk about?”

“There’s someone people are calling Lotus Fox running around our turf. Came to report it so we could do something about it.” His voice was muffled and nasally on account of the broken nose. 

“Nah.”

“What?! It’s our turf and you’re just going to let them run around free?! We have to prove to people we—“

“I said: No.” Nishida went back to the papers on the desk. “Sit tight, I’ll get someone to fix up your nose. Anything else Rosa-sama?” 

“No. That is all. We’ll be leaving tomorrow, have everything ready?”

“Yes ma’am.” Nishida bowed as she threw on the first hood with a smile. She pulled the zipper down as it formed a mask of a fox. She turned to Mihara and tilted her head. He gasped at the white flower on the mask’s forehead and she chuckled. Rosa lifted the second hood to block out the snow and made her exit with a wave. Mihara stared at the Majima family crest inlaid with gold thread on the back of her coat. A snake and a fox encircling it in a perpetual chase. He turned to Nishida when the door shut behind her and stumbled through his words but the Family Lieutenant simply held up his hand and stopped the excuses before they even properly began. “She let you live, use this second chance with what few brain cells you got left, kid.” 

“Yes, sir.”


“Majima Goro when we told you to secure a line for the future of your family this isn’t what we meant—“

“Not one fuck given. Besides ya can’t stop it. Already sealed the deal in the courthouse two days ago.” Majima crossed his arms ignoring the old man beside him as he watched his now wife purchase takoyaki from a stall nearby. It really had been done quick and quiet in a courthouse in Sotenbori to try and delay the news as much as possible. Once the 24 hour annulment window passed they were in the clear. 

“Divorce is always—“

“Nope. Not unless she wants it and good fucking luck convincing her.” He grinned at the old man sighing in frustration. He’d already tried and Rosa simply pretended not to speak or understand Japanese whenever the subject was brought up. 

They both watched a group of young men suddenly surround her and she sighed, setting her meal down on the counter. She crossed her arms and spoke to them first. Annoyed because they all knew it would still amount to a fight. 

“You going to go help her?”

“What and take away her fun? Nah. I like watching anyway.” Majima leaned against the wall and watched her whip out the collapsible staff from its holster and beat down all five men in a matter of seconds. She spun so fast, twirled with the momentum it was basically a dance. 

“You should’ve found a graceful lady-like woman Majima.”

“Did we just watch the same thing? Cuz look at her.” She finished off the final attacker with a twirl of her staff, standing straight and poised with hardly a hair out of place. “That wasn’t graceful to you?”

“I suppose… I suppose if it can’t be helped… ” The old man conceded. “Fine. Then I wish you happiness, but don’t be surprised when other families take notice.”

“Oh ho. That’s the plan, old man. That’s the fucking plan.” He walked towards her with a wild grin, kicking one of the men on the ground and taunted. 

“Goro leave them be. Poor little prides are already hurting.” She pouted and picked up her food again, hopping over one of the unconscious bodies. “Where to next? You said you used to manage The Grand right?”

“Yeah but I’d rather not go there if ya don’t mind. Place was like a cage.” He frowned. 

“Hmm then where did you go to take a break?”

“Oh! A cage! There used to be an underground fighting ring. Wanna see if it’s still runnin’?”

“Sounds fun.”

Chapter 14: Art Work of Emiliana and Majima

Summary:

So I’ve been practicing my drawing, I still used a lot of references from a wide web of stuff. I sketched and drew this today and I’m honestly very proud of the progress I’ve made in my art. Hopefully one day soon my dream of making a webcomic will come true.

So here’s some art of Emiliana and Goro, with words I’ve actually exchanged with my husband.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“Gorrito.”

”Yeah?”

“If that pendeja tries to flirt with you again I’m killing her.”

”I didn’t know ya were jealous type?”

”I’m Latin, it is part of the job description.”

A little jealous.

Notes:

I can’t figure out how to add pics. I’m a technological boomer at heart.

2/4/2023 - I figured it out, many thanks to threewhiskeylunch on tumblr.

Series this work belongs to: