The Hunted

A/N: I know I have not posted for this story in a while. I've been doing too many novels at once, which is why I actually put some on hiatus. However, other stories have been taking up my time as I have been getting the storyline down to the T. That also means this story.

This chapter is short, but I hope that's alright as it's just me trying to get back into the consistency.

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After parting ways with Remi, Kyoki retreated to his office for a rendezvous with Haruki. As the minutes ticked by, Haruki, the elder statesman, leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing as he remarked, "you left quite the mess when we first crossed paths."

Kyoki's sat on his side of the desk, lips curled into a smug smirk as he casually lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke before responding, "oh? And what mess might that be?"

Haruki waved a hand vaguely, his mind wandering to the grisly scene in the adjacent room. "The kids," he muttered, his fingers tracing the gnarled surface of his cane.

"The kids?" Kyoki's tone remained indifferent as he adjusted his tie. "Ah, yes. But surely that wasn't my responsibility to clean up, was it?"

A soft chuckle escaped Haruki's lips. "Indeed, it was, my friend. Quite the ordeal—"

"You found it distasteful?" Kyoki interjected, his eyebrow arched in amusement.

Haruki scratched his neck nervously. "Not distasteful per se, just... inconvenient to deal with."

"Did you clean it up yourself?" Kyoki's gaze was piercing, revealing nothing of his own thoughts.

Nothing but deception.

"Well, n-no. But I oversee such matters personally, you understand," Haruki replied, his words faltering slightly.

"Like a guardian, perhaps?" Kyoki's smirk widened, a glint of something darker in his eyes.

Haruki hesitated, sensing the shift in Kyoki's demeanor. "Yes, something like that."

Kyoki's laughter echoed through the room, cold and devoid of warmth. "A guardian, indeed. But let's not dwell on the past. Did you ever discover why I dispatched those kids?"

Haruki swallowed nervously, his smile faltering. "It had to do with the Tadashi family, I believe?"

"Exactly," Kyoki affirmed, producing a photo from his drawer. "This Tadashi brat thought he could breach my defenses. Absurd, isn't it?"

"Quite absurd," Haruki agreed, his eyes darting to Kyoki's guards.

"We let one of them go," Kyoki continued, his tone icy. "But the girl... she didn't fare as well."

"D-Did you... dispose of her too?"

Kyoki glanced at his guard, then back at Haruki. "No, I didn't. But why do you ask?"

"Just... curious, as a friend," Haruki replied, his voice strained.

"As a friend, hmm?" Kyoki's smirk never wavered. "Enough of that. Do you have something for me?"

"Yes, I do." Haruki gestured to his guards, who brought forth a suitcase. They opened it to reveal a collection of photographs.

Kyoki's gaze lingered on the images, his expression unreadable. "Interesting," he murmured.

One photo, in particular, caught his attention. "Who's this?"

Haruki grinned. "Your man, Ryo. Caught in the act."

Kyoki's smirk turned predatory. "Conspiring with the Black Dragon, you say?"

"Indeed," Haruki confirmed. "Haven't their attacks been a nuisance lately?"

Kyoki stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Not a nuisance, Haruki. Merely an inconvenience."

"And what do you intend to do about it?" Haruki inquired; his tone cautious.

Kyoki's laughter rang out once more, chilling to the bone. "Oh, I have something in mind."

Haruki looked back to the door behind them. The door that the guard left through. He cleared his throat, "NOW!" Haruki shouted. His guards reached for their guns, but before they could react, the door busted open, and gunfire filled the room. Haruki and his guards collapsed, one of them losing an eye which rolled beneath Haruki's feet.

He let out a yelp.

"Good work," Kyoki acknowledged his guard, who then exited the room.

Kyoki sighed heavily, retrieving a gun from his drawer. He crouched beside Haruki, pressing the gun against his temple. "Did you honestly believe I wouldn't find out?" He taunted.

"What... what are you talking about!? Y-You killed my men!" Haruki protested.

Kyoki struck him across the face with the gun. "Ack!" Haruki cried out, clutching his stomach as he writhed on the floor.

"Black Dragon," Kyoki sneered. "Such a crude attempt. And you, the supposed master of intel in all of Kanto... did you truly think their plan would succeed?" Another kick landed on Haruki's face, causing him to groan in agony. "You're a disappointment, Haruki. It's a shame you didn't last longer. But I'm curious, what did you tell them?" Gripping Haruki's white hair—a testament to his age—Kyoki forced his gaze upwards.

"We both know I can't say..." Haruki's muffled words were barely audible.

"Yeah... you played your game. But it's over now." Kyoki pressed the gun into Haruki's mouth. "Any last words?"

The gun obstructed his speech, but Kyoki understood the sentiment: "Go to hell."

"Goodbye, then..."

"...FRIEND."

BANG!

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A/N: Time to get consistent again🫡