The Mafia Boss's Secretary

The beginning of the end still

I sighed as I looked up at the restaurant. This isn't somewhere I belong. Definitely not dressed the way that I am right now. I played with the ring on my finger nervously. I didn't want to be here anymore. I just wanted to be back in my bed even if that means listening to my roommates argue over every little move that I make. I sighed again and looked down at my hands. I shouldn't be here, and I certainly shouldn't be here with them. People are going to get the wrong idea; I just know it. This is all I need. The first day here, and I'm already getting myself into awkward situations.

"Hatchiko?" Kai asked standing in my now open door. "Are you okay?"

"You didn't have to open my door for me." I stated after I got my heart rate to calm down.

"You weren't getting out." He stated. "You didn't even notice I opened the door until I said your name."

"I'm sorry." I said stepping out of the expedition. "I just realized that I'm probably way under dressed for a place like this."

"You'll be fine." He stated putting his arm around me and leading me towards the entrance of the restaurant. "No one is going to do or say anything to you as long as you stay close to us."

That's exactly what I'm worried about. The longer I'm close to them the easier it will be to misunderstand what's going on here. I don't need or want to be the reason that bad blood happens between our clans again.

Kai leads me to a secluded table at the back of the restaurant that's already covered in platters and bowls of food. I stood awkwardly behind the chair he stopped me at until he pushed on my shoulders and made me sit. I was just on autopilot, and I wasn't really hearing or seeing anything that's going on around me, but I was aware enough to still know where all of the exits are.

"Hatchiko?" Liera asked making me jump. "Dig in." She gestured towards the table. "You are the guest of honor after all."

"I'm sorry, but I was waiting for you and Nala to dig in first." I responded to make my nervousness less obvious. "I'm sorry; I didn't realize you were waiting for me." I added in apology as I decided to start with the soup that was closest to me.

It looked like it might be one of the cheapest things on the menu as well as being something I knew I'd eat since it was wonton soup, but I didn't want to take the wontons since there were only three. My effort was enough to make them start to dig in as well. I noticed Nala and Liera whispering to each other a few times before Liera cleared her throat gaining Kai and I's attention before raising her glass.

"To Hatchiko for saving both of my children today." She said raising her glass towards me. "Hopefully to new friendships as well."

We all clinked glasses together and drank after her toast. I don't know what she meant about new friendships, but I have no real intention to spend any extended amount of time with either of them if I don't have to.

"Kai hasn't had many real and true friends since he was a child." Liera stated. "I hope that you two can become good friends." Kai and I looked at each other. "I would love to see Kai being able to make more friends."

"Mom, I have friends." He stated.

"You have three." She remarked.

"I would be more than happy to be his friend." I stated. "If he wants to be friends with an outcast like me." I added nearly mumbling by the end.

Liera glanced between the two of us before sharing a look with Nala. "Great!" She cheered. "Just becoming friends isn't enough though, I have an idea to make this more permanent."

Kai and I shared a look of our own at her declaration. What is she thinking? More importantly, I suppose, what have I gotten myself into? She prompted all of us to stand as she decided that her plan couldn't wait anymore. I Hesitantly stood up abandoning the soup that I didn't even get a chance to eat. As we were leaving I turned around to look at the table full of food that would now go to waste. I felt bad that we didn't even really touch any of it. I sighed before turning and running right into Kai; not realizing that it was him or that he came back for me. I immediately went into a defensive position.

"Hatchiko?" He asked grabbing my wrists and pulling them down so that we could see each other. "Why are you always ready for a fight?" He asked looking at me suspiciously.

"I'm a chief's son." I explained. "It has been engrained into my brain since they adopted me." His dropped my left hand, but pulled me towards the exit by my right hand. "It also doesn't help that I've been bullied for as long as I can remember."

"You're okay, now." He shot me a small smile. "You're with me now, so no one is going to mess with you anymore." He lead me out to the car.

Climbing into the Expedition made me realize how short I am compared to Kai since he got in easily, and I had to use the running board. I huffed at how difficult this simple task is with my ribs all messed up right now. Even normal simple tasks are a pain now. Liera was driving since she knew where we were going, and none of us knew what her plan was which meant we didn't know where we were going.

I was trying my best not to let my stress show to much because I have no idea what is going on now. Dinner was the only plan tonight, and my guard was up, but I know that I'm in no condition to fight anyone. That's what has me the most scared; I won't be able to protect myself form any attackers; no matter how small or inexperienced they are. I was admittedly surprised when we pulled up outside of a church. There's nothing that we could possibly be doing here this late at night. I looked around confused and tried to figure out why we were here. I couldn't come up with anything until I realized that the most probable reason for coming here would be oaths. We are about to make some kind of oath. I gasped once I made the connection as to why we were here.

"You okay?" Kai asked looking back at me.

"Yeah." I lied. "I think I just breathed wrong." I stated. "I also haven't taken any pain medication in a while."

"Pain medication?" Liera asked looking back at me as well.

"I'll be okay, there's nothing to worry about." I stated. "It's an old injury."

"Well, let's go kids." She responded getting out of the car. "We don't have all night."

We all got out of the car and followed her up the stairs and into the church. 

'Is this really a good idea? What is Kai going to have to deal with if he becomes my brother? What will his father think? What about the rest of the clan? I've done nothing yet to warrant this happening right now. I only did the right thing in the moments I interfered with. I might have tarnished his reputation by jumping into that fight. My hands are still messed up because of that. Takashi was right, I'm always causing trouble no matter what I do.'

"You're rambling." Kai whispered leaning down so only I could hear him. "You should stop degrading yourself like that."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to say anything out loud, I was just thinking."

"I don't think you can just call it thinking if you said it all out loud."

The priest walked up to us and Liera asked him to help us with a bonding ceremony. Apparently a bonding ceremony is different here than it is on my lands. Not by much though since breaking it is still punishable by death, but how they do it is the difference. We don't necessarily need a church for it to be binding. Everything in this territory seems to revolve around the church.

I sighed as the priest walked up to us again with two incents; he handed us both one once we were stationed at the alter. I looked up at the statue behind the alter fully registering what was happening now. I could feel a panic rising in my chest. I glanced around the church and made eye contact with Liera. She gave me a look that told me I didn't have a choice in the matter as to whether or not I go through with this. She wasn't exactly threatening, but I'm well aware that she isn't someone you want to cross; no matter how minor an infraction it is. I sank to my knees and Kai followed shortly after once he got over the shock of me actually following through with this.

"Kai Sanjiro and Hatchiko Kurosaki; although our surnames are different; we have come together to burn white sage before the holy spirit in order to bind us as one now. From this day forward, we shall join forces for a common purpose: to protect and help each other. Though born at different times; we humbly hope to die at the same time, day, month, and year. May the Gods of Heaven and Earth attest to what is in our hearts and honor our shared wish. If there be riches, we shall spend them together. If there should be misfortune, we shall suffer together. If happiness shines upon us, we shall enjoy it together. If we should ever do anything to betray our oaths, may heaven punish us as one." We recited in sync before the priest nodded taking our incents and turning away from us.

When he came back the third time he had two bowls and a small matching bottle of what looked like water. He handed each of us a bowl and poured a small amount of water in the one I was holding. When he tried to put water in Kai's bowl he held his hand up and the priest backed away. Kai pulled a pocket knife out and cut his palm before holding it over the bowl in my hands.

"A blood oath." I whispered as he held the knife out towards me.

I hesitated before taking the knife from him and handing him the bowl. I cut a thin line across my palm like he had done and also held it over the bowl. When he nodded at me i pulled my hand back and made a fist in order to keep it from dripping all over the floor. He shook the bowl a little to mix it together better before taking a drink of it and holding it out to me. I followed his lead and also took a drink. There was a little liquid left in the bottom of the bowl so he finished it before handing it back to the priest. He had to pray over us before the ceremony was finished, and as soon as we finished the prayer Liera nearly jumped on both of us when we stood up again.

"Welcome to the family." She said loudly slinging an arm over both our shoulders.