Chapter I: Dead man tells no lie.

The man laid on his bed. His eyes closed, his breath slowed down.

He was dying. His time was running up and he could hear the damn "tick tock" sound from the clock in the room - like it was counting down for the moment its owner stops breathing.

The Shimada lord, a fearful man in the underground world, a demon among the Mafiosos, was dying. And he has refused all the medical treatment help with machines. He didn't want to be tied down to this bed with an oxygen tube forced down his throat and all kind of wires. No, he would be the prideful dragon to the end, refused to be bounded by anything. And he will die like one.

- Father, I've come back.

A young man kneeled beside his bed, his beautiful face drowned in sorrow. "This is your son", he told himself, "Open your eyes!". He tried. His eyes ached, but his heart didn't. In the end, the fearful lord and the prideful dragon was still a father. A father who was dying, leaving all of his responsibility on his eldest son's shoulders. The weight of the crown once wanted by everyone now became too heavy, crushing down the king. Crushing down his freedom.

- Hanzo... it seems like I can't protect you anymore... forgives this old man for putting the weight of his empire on you.

- Father, please. We will find the best doctors....

- No. - he weakly waved his hand. He was ready for his time. The only thing he was afraid was for his sons. The Shimada clan's legacy is too tempting, and Hanzo was still too young. The elders would judge him and there would be many forces trying to tear the clan apart. He was afraid his sons will be killed in this dirty world. - I don't want to delay my death. Everything will come to an end, let my death be done. What I was afraid of is your and your brother's safety.

- Do not worry, father. I'll protect him. - There were tears in Hanzo's sorrowful amber eyes. He knew this was the final goodbye.

The Shimada lord brought up his shaking hand, tried to wipe the tears away. He sighed.

- I know you will do a good job at that, but... - he hesitated. What's the point of hiding that now, he was dying anyway. - There are a letter and a number. A war is going to happen between the mafia organizations and the society. The peace treaty was threatening by another organization. When that happens, we will be the first clan they target because we are one of the first clan agreed to sign the treaty. I want you to contact the number if something bad happens.

- What do you mean father? What organization!?

His vision started to get blurry. Was that because of the tears, or was it his time already? His body started to turn cold. Ah, so it was the time then. Death has been waiting for him 65 years, and he thought that is enough. He must go now.

- Please, take care of yourself. I love both of you...

His hand fell from Hanzo's face, no longer warm. His heart has stopped. His eyes closed.

- Father? Father!!

Death welcome him with a sweet embrace. A peaceful end for a criminal lord.

-----

His father has been dead for five years. And they needed to wait until now to officially publish his will.

The lawyer's voice was cold. His will was simple, he has left everything for his sons. His last wish was for them to rule his empire together.

Everybody cried. Their fake tears made Genji wanted to throw up. Like heck, they gave zero fuck about their father. All they wanted was to have a piece of the crown.

- Mr.Shimada. - The lawyer called on him. - I'd like to have a word with you in private, sir.

- Please call me Genji. I have abandoned the title from a long time ago... - He shrugged his shoulders, his eyes were still wandering around, busy looking for his brother.

Where on earth was Hanzo!? He thought his brother must be somewhere surrounded by people. Weren't people always wanted to be near the new king to praise him?

- I can tell that you are looking for your brother. - The lawyer smiled. He was a young man, even younger than Genji, but somehow the black suit made him look much more mature. Golden locks and good looking face, if not for the piercing cold in his blood red eyes, the lawyer could be easily mistaken for some model boy on the magazines, definitely not a man who worked in the underground. - And I ensure you that he has already gone to the meeting room, waiting for us.

Genji glared at the lawyer, why did this young man want to speak in private with him? And why would Hanzo be waiting for him in the meeting room? Didn't he suppose to be here crying his heart out or acting tough for the elders to see that he is worth to become the new master? Hanzo has been trained for that his whole life.

Still, he followed the young man. To his surprise, Hanzo was waiting for him in the meeting room. His brother looked so tired, and his eyes were still a little puffy from crying. Dark circles began to form under his charming amber eyes and his handsome face was gone, nothing left but a hollow shell. Genji found that his heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand from the sight of his brother. He hasn't met Hanzo for years. And now his brother was here, looking like a broken man.

- Please, take a sit.

Genji sat down beside Hanzo. He could feel Hanzo's shoulders instantly became stiff, and his dear brother looked like he was being crushed by hundred tons of weight. Ganji wanted to lend his shoulders for Hanzo to lean on. His fingers ached to touch Hanzo, to run through his silky black hair, to comfort him. But they couldn't. Not anymore.

- Let's talk about your father's will. - The lawyer said. - First of all, my name is Killian Bloomington, and I will be your clan lawyer now. From this moment, the safety of Shimada clan and you will be my first priority. So please, if there's any legal problem, let me know.

Hanzo nodded. They could use someone smart like Killian. The young man has become their father's personal lawyer from 8 years ago and has proven himself as a very useful member. He was one of the FATE agents, trained to be a shield from the law, trained to protect people like them from the sentences of justice.

- Second of all, before your father died, - Killian's eyes darkened. - he has requested a favor from FATE.

FATE is one of, if not, the strongest criminal organization in the underground. They provided to other clans that signed the treaty completely protection. They eliminated all the threats and helped the clans to become stronger. In return, they want completely loyalty from the clans they protected.

- What favor? - Hanzo knew the price is not gonna be cheap. Always like that. - What did my father want from FATE?

- Sir, your father has been threatened with his death. We believe that one of the Mafia Family wanted to break the Treaty, and they will target you next.

The Treaty was a deal between the Mafia Families and the Governments to keep things under control. It was created by the head of FATE and the Familia. The Mafia did their jobs and followed certain laws such as they won't get involved in politic, won't involved in terrorism acts or making a masquerade in public. In return they could do anything they want, just don't make a huge mess and don't cross the line. If any of the Mafia breaks then contact, they will be eliminated by Familia. If there is a threat on the Mafia side, FATE will be the one who eliminated them. Shimada clan was one of the first Family to sign the Accord, so they have been protected since then. Now some guys acting tough wanna break the connect that has been set for years, that mean there will be a war between the society and the underground. None will be safe if that happens.

- Did other clans know about this?

- Yes, they have already prepared. - Killian nodded. - To find the guilty one faster, every family will be advised by a group of Familia agents and be protected by another group of FATE agents. That including you, Genji as you now a FATE agent. Your job will be as Hanzo's private bodyguard. Your other teammates will assist you.

Genji looked around. He didn't see any agent beside Killian.

- Where are they then?

- They will arrive soon. Do not worry, she always is on time.

- "She"? - Hanzo asked. - I thought you said a group will be sent here?

- Yes, but the leader will arrive first.

Genji tensed. That meant their time spending together would be shortened because of his duty. Genji wanted to have a word with Hanzo, to clear up their past. Ever since he was assumed dead, he has never met Hanzo or tried to contact with the Shimada clan ever again. He was afraid he wasn't strong enough. To forgive and forget. To erase the burning wound on his heart and to heal Hanzo's too. He was half glad that he could be Hanzo's personal bodyguard, half sad that they couldn't hang out because some idiots decided to fuck things up. They stood up, shaken hands then left. Suddenly Genji arm was pulled back. The lawyer smiled at him.

- If I recalled correctly, you were the adopted son of the Shimada clan, yes?

- Yes, is there any problem?

- Nothing, - Killian was still smiling. Genji started to want to punch that fucking smile off his face. He was smiling like he knew everything. - I just want to say that you and your brother will have enough privacy to clear things out.

Shit. Genji cursed inside his head. That fucking bastard. How the fuck did he know!? He bitterly spat out:

- He is not my brother. Not anymore.

Killian just smiled.