Fanfiction
Title: In the Eye of the Viewfinder
Characters: Ritsuka, Soubi and others
Rating: T
Summary: Twenty-one-year-old Ritsuka works as a photographer. Sometimes, he does a scoop for the police with his friend, Keita, despite his fighter's protests. One day, they get the scoop of their lives: nailing one of the most dangerous yakuza in Japan.
...
Ritsuka was just putting his camera away, ready to head home, when his mobile went off with a violent vibration. He swiftly caught the phone before it could fall from his desk.
- Yes?
- Hey Aoyagi, it's Keita - came a muffled reply.
Ritsuka's brows furrowed at his colleague's tone.
- Is everything alright? I'm just going…
- Home? Come on, listen - Keita sounded extremely impatient and at the same time, oddly thrilled - I need you here, screw your work hours. I've found the scoop of our lives.
Despite his best intentions of leaving, Ritsuka's interest was picked. He quickly opened a browser, ready to google any information he may need.
- Shoot.
- Oh yes, it's a shot - Keita giggled with excitement - One word: Iskandar.
Ristuka's eyes widened.
- No fucking way - his colleague must be pulling his leg. Seriously, the most dangerous man in Tokyo? Or, probably, the entire Eastern Asia?
- It's him - Keita insisted, obviously high with the sole prospect of nailing the guy - Satō called me. They have a girl, some gangster's former girlfriend…
- Wait. Where are you? - Ritsuka was already running to the door.
Keita chuckled.
- Meet you at McDonald's at the corner in ten minutes.
...
Ritsuka practically all but ran to the McDonald's, dashing inside like a madman, avoiding hitting a small boy by a mere inch. He spotted Keita at a lonely table in a corner. A good place to discuss a police scoop.
- So? - Ritsuka didn't waste any time for greetings - What have you got?
Keita smiled smugly.
- He finally made a mistake - he chuckled - No one's perfect, not even the great Iskandar. He let too much info about his plans out, one of his dogs heard and stupidly repeated everything to his girlfriend after getting drunk. She may hang out with thugs, but she's not a complete idiot. She reported everything to the police… Iskandar clearly lowered his normally impressive guard…
- Okay, I don't need you to rant how brilliant the guy is - Ritsuka huffed - What did she tell them?
Keita pouted, unhappy with having his dramatic speech interrupted.
- Right, right, Mister Fact. He told her everything he knew about a meeting between Iskandar and a Russian mafia leader. They're planning to finalise a recent gun smuggling. Today, at the docks.
- The docks? - Ritsuka arched a brow - How ordinary. I thought Iskandar hated ordinary.
Keita shrugged, amused.
- Who knows, maybe it was the Russian who chose the place? It's a far cry from Iskandar's usual hotels and casinos. The guy has balls, though, doing all his shitty business in public places like that. And some serious cash - he whistled, giving his cheap watch a spiteful glance.
Ritsuka rolled his eyes.
- He probably has more money than the emperor, of course he can afford losing millions in casinos. The goal is to cut off his supplies and catch him. He has more blood on his hands than a butcher.
- Come on, Aoyagi, don't tell me you wouldn't want his money - Keita elbowed his colleague playfully, eliciting a grunt from Ritsuka.
- His money's dirty. Keita, we help the police arrest people like Iskandar, not daydream about their filthy cash - he snapped, even though he recognised Keita was only kidding.
- Gods, your morals are awe-inspiring - Keita smiled, shaking his light brown hair - You should have become a lawyer.
- Lawyers tend to have surprisingly feeble morality - Ritsuka scowled only half playfully, since his older brother was a lawyer as far as he knew. And Seimei never had *any* morals, not even feeble ones.
- That's why we're bringing down the most corrupted ones - Keita winked, not picking up Ritsuka's sour expression. Aoyagi was quite righteously afraid of having to produce evidence against his own brother one day - Okay, enough of that - his face turned serious - The question is, are you going with me? It can be dangerous. Life-threatening.
Ritsuka grinned.
- Oh Gods, I'm coming.
...
Soon, they arrived at the police station where D.I. Satō was expecting them, smoking a thick cigarette.
- Aoyagi, Yamada, finally - he motioned that they should sit down in front of his desk - It's about Iskandar, I presume?
- Yes, of course - Ritsuka quickly confirmed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation - What have you got for your faithful photographers, Detective Inspector?
Satō smiled even though he was giving them a stern look.
- It's no game, boys. The man's dangerous, but I guess you already know that.
They both nodded gravely.
- Right. So, information - D.I. took a case out of a drawer - Quick briefing: Iskandar appeared on the stage about three years ago and no one has learnt his true identity since then. He made a spectacular entrance, finishing off the head of Inagawa-kai and taking his place without much protests from the clans, therefore he may have some connection with the family. Generally accepted in Tokyo, he made several pacts with the clans from all over Japan, gaining more influence than anyone before him in a record time. No one has questioned or threatened his position as far as we know, except for a small accident a month after he took control over Tokyo. Aside from some minor acts of violence, he seems to prefer a more subtle and sophisticated form of governing his turfs, forming alliances and treaties rather than shedding blood. However, he makes sure of gradually taking all the power from its current bearers, leaving only an illusion of the former deal.
He said nothing that was new to Ritsuka or Keita, but they waited more or less patiently for the end of his "briefing", knowing well enough that once D.I. Satō chose to do something, he would finish it no matter what.
- No one knows how he looks like, apart from the fact that his hair is black, which is hardly helpful. We do know, however, that he doesn't generally trust his people, that's why his persona is such a great mystery even to his employees. There are rumours about him having his right hand man, who usually leads all of Iskandar's political and more barbaric activities. That man is believed to be extraordinarily brilliant and at the same time, cruel and devious. I have a feeling that he's the one you should be more wary of, as there are signs he's far more dangerous than his employer.
Ritsuka pressed his lips into a line.
- If that's so - he started hesitatingly - Then why hasn't he got rid of Iskandar?
- He's either waiting for the right moment or already has more power than people believe. He may be pulling the strings from behind a curtain.
- Then - Keita sounded thrilled yet again - It is possible than he's the main player, isn't it? That Iskandar is only his puppet?
Detective Inspector Satō nodded, albeit very curtly.
- It's possible, but there's no proof. Anyway, you need to collect some evidence tonight and I beg you, be careful. Whoever is the mastermind here, no one is going to leave you two alive should they find you at the docks. Please, don't let them spot you - Satō sighed, his paternal feelings towards the young photographs clear.
The said photographs were far too keen on getting "the scoop of their lives" to give him any thought.
...
- Shouldn't you call your boyfriend or something? - Keita suggested shyly after they left the station - Isn't he going to worry if you don't turn up at your place till morning?
Ritsuka inwardly cursed. He had truly forgotten about informing Soubi about the scoop. However, his fighter had made it quite clear he hadn't wished Ritsuka anywhere near yakuza or corrupted politics. Right, as if Ritsuka was going to be content with taking photos of still nature or at weddings. Besides, Soubi had little power over him, no matter how worried he appeared to be. Really, the guy used to pull off far more stupid stunts like going to a scoop. Fighting deadly opponents alone, for example, used to be his forte. Ironically speaking.
- Sure, I'm going to give him a word - Ritsuka smiled at Keita, indicating he should give him some space for a moment.
As soon as Keita waltzed off to find something to drink, Ritsuka fished out his mobile and dialled a number.
One, two…
On the third ring, Soubi answered. He always did that.
- Ritsuka? Are you coming home soon? - his baritone was hopeful.
Ritsuka hated to crush that hope.
- I'm sorry, I can't. The guy from work got ill and he was to take photos at a wedding tonight. Matsuda-san said I'm the replacement - he tried to sound sad and disappointed, even though his heart was beating furiously with excitement. He had to lie, for Soubi's sake - I'm so sorry, I know we've been planning this evening for ages, but we need money and they'll pay me quite handsomely… - Well, the scoop was going to bring him more money than a year of hard working, so that was true - We may be able to finally take care of those leaking pipes…
- It's alright - Soubi didn't sound alright - I understand. You have to do that and you're right about the pipes, they're becoming quite troublesome. We don't need to use a bath to take a bath anymore… - he chuckled and Ritsuka's heart warmed up. His fighter was a wonderful person, so understanding and soft and…
- Thank you - he whispered, suddenly embarrassed with getting so emotional during a simple call - I'll make it up to you - he promised, his cheeks reddening.
- You don't have to. Just have fun at the wedding - he could hear Soubi's smile - And Ritsuka, are you blushing?
- No - he denied, blushing even more furiously - Good night. Stupid Soubi - he added with affection, disconnecting.
...
Ritsuka and Keita arrived at the docks just as the meeting was to begin. They decided it's the safest option, as bodyguards had a nasty habit of checking out the place for any uninvited guests and other party's surprises before such meetings were to start.
The photographers managed to sneak in and find a good hideout, with a view of the docks complete with warehouses, the only road leading to the meeting's place as well as of a part of a background. Fleeing was also quite easy from this particular spot.
They were both staring ahead, camera clutched in their hands, waiting for the gangsters to turn up. What was taking them this long?
Finally, a car could be heard and soon a sleek black BMW appeared in their field of vision. Five men exited it and after a quick scanning of the area, set off towards shadows of one of the warehouses.
At the same time, five figures stepped out from the shadows, waiting for the other group.
That was it. From that distance, it was possible to capture the men in a viewfinder. Mysterious Iskandar was going down.
One of the men from the BMW approached the figure leading the other group, coming to a halt when they were both standing away from their followers. They were the Russian and Iskandar, then.
Ritsuka began to take shots like crazy. One of them must be good.
The figures started to talk, or at least they leaned closer to each other. The BMW guy was gesticulating wildly, while Iskandar remained impassive, with hands in his pockets. He was a lean man, not overly tall, but not small either, with a proud posture.
They stood like that for minutes. Far too long, given nothing was really happening. They didn't seem to be discussing anything, neither they were exchanging money or even shaking hands indicating a deal was made.
Nothing.
Something was off. The deal wasn't probably going the way they had planned it.
Ritsuka managed to pull himself a little bit closer, not leaving the safety of their hideout.
Finally, something happened. Iskandar took out a cigarette and lit it, nodding towards the Russian.
Ritsuka put his camera up, preparing to take a shot when the reply would come. However, it didn't.
Or maybe it did but he didn't notice.
He was far too preoccupied with a cold barrel touching his temple.