The demands arrived and seemed to confirm Kazunari's idea that they were odd, foolish people in search of easy money: They were asking Kazunari for three million yen in used notes. But Michiko shook her head:
"This doesn't convince me at all. To have so skilfully organized Jun's kidnapping, they cannot be just odd, foolish people. These are people that know us well and know how to organize things. This request for so little money surely hides a trap. Or else, it is just to test our reaction and the real ransom price has yet to come. They didn't tell us yet how to respond. They're trying to learn how we are organizing. They know we are looking for Jun, quite probably. So, let's continue as if nothing happened. Or rather, I have an idea to put some salt on their tail. Whoever they are, even if they are the Oshimas, they must not have access to the top bosses."
"What are you thinking, mum?" Kazunari asked, trying to follow his mother's thoughts.
"I intend to call a meeting of the most important family chiefs, here at our place."
"For Jun?" Kazunari astounded asked.
"No, that would make no sense. Just a pretext to have them all here, with their train of men. And in turn search all of the town upside down, inside and out. Yes, officially we will stop looking for Jun, we will just have to guarantee safety for all those important people. Yes. Good. We will call back all our men. No more searching for the boy."
"Do you want to abandon him?"
"Don't talk nonsense, Kazunari! I want to rescue the boy. But if we call back all the men now, they will think that we decided to pay. Meanwhile you... call Tomoya immediately." the woman said straightening her back.
Kazunari understood that she was going on a warpath. He didn't know yet what his mother had in mind, but he felt he had to trust her. He went to call his brother who came at once.
"Tomoya, you want to rescue Jun, right?"
"Sure. Sure I want to rescue him."
"Well, then tomorrow we will officially announce that you will marry the daughter of... I don't yet know, possibly of Eguchi."
"Eh? What? To rescue Jun? I don't understand." the youth said, but with an amused air.
"If you want you can divorce, afterwards, as soon as Jun is again with us, but it is so I can invite all the family chiefs here to our place and so we can keep all the town under control. We will do great things for your marriage, and for the safety of so many names. In the meantime, we will search the town for Jun. During that time the second demand for Jun's ransom will arrive and we will know how to behave, if we have not found the boy before. All right, Tomoya?"
"Yes, sure. I like it. You are a genius, mum!"
"Kazunari, summon all the chiefs and give the orders stopping all searches for Jun, but continuing to keep their eyes open. Whoever among our men will be able to signal us something useful, will receive a reward. The research in reality will start again as soon as Tomoya's marriage and the guest list can be made public. Explain the plan to the chiefs carefully, everything must work to perfection." the woman said with great resolve.
Kazunari nodded and went immediately to do as his mother requested. The machinery was put in motion.
Jun's kidnappers, when they realized that the search for the boy had suddenly ceased, thought it was in relation to their ransom request. They didn't ask for too much money because, in part, they believed the act that Jun put on. So they prepared for the second move: asking Kazunari to personally bring the money... They wanted him, in reality. They wanted to get him to an abandoned old factory, out of town, where they already had set a bomb. It was a sure thing that Kazunari would go well protected to the rendezvous and he would be blown up with all his men, thanks to an electronic system he would have unwillingly activated when entering the factory.
But, neither the kidnappers, nor the Yamaguchis, considered a third component -- the Oshimas. Oshima Yoshiki had understood early on that he had lost his challenge to the Yamaguchis and, being the pragmatic man he was, he clearly sensed that the only possibility of survival for his people was to ally themselves with the Yamaguchis. But, he also understood that, for old enemies to become friends, wouldn't be so simple. The only possibility would be to find an occasion where he could be really useful to the Yamaguchis. Oshima Yoshiki, being the patient man he was, just waited.
The occasion came when he understood that the Yamaguchis were looking for something. He found out, quite easily, that they were not looking for something, but for someone, and that this someone was the boyfriend of the elder son Kazunari, who had been kidnapped. And he also understood that the Yamaguchis suspected him. Then, he gathered all his chiefs and told them that they had to find Jun alive at any price, and the sooner the better. And he also asked them to report any strange or suspect activities they noticed. Excluding himself and the Yamaguchis, who remained? The Oda, the Nakai or the Kojima families.
Soon he discovered two things that alarmed him: the Nakai bought a big quantity of explosives from a firm associated with him. Why from his company? He ordered more inquiries about the purchases, movements and activities of the Nakai, and discovered that they had also contacted a radio control expert from Tokyo. Who, where and when would they would blow up? Oshima Yoshiki asked his men to intensify their inquiries. It came to light that in an abandoned old factory out of the city that belonged to him, there had been strange movements of cars a few days before. Explosive produced by him, his factory... Therefore, the Nakai wanted to involve the Oshima! He had to move fast, and skilfully.
Then he heard about the sudden Tomoya's marriage and thought it was strange and then smiled: he guessed what shrewd plan Michiko had. "That woman is extraordinary," he thought with sincere admiration.
He took his car without the driver and without an escort and appeared alone at the Yamaguchi house. His arrival agitated the men on watch. Hiroshi opened the door.
"Oshima! What the hell are you doing here?"
"That is not what we could call a kind welcome. I would like to speak with your mother, boy."
"She is not waiting on you, and I am a boy no longer." Hiroshi sharply answered looking up and down at the man.
"Certainly she will be happy to see me." Oshima answered not at all upset.
"I doubt that. Wait here, anyway." the youth dryly said. He was back soon: "My mother will receive you. You do understand I have to first check that you have no weapons." he said.
"I am not so in despair as to come here to be a kamikaze. Anyway, you may frisk me." the man merrily said rising his arms.
"Come here." the youth said.
Oshima complied. A green light lit and a buzzer rung. Hiroshi smiled at the slightly surprised expression of the man.
"We are not so old style. You are clean, you can enter."
"Ah, X rays, then. Really perfect, compliments." the man said as he entered the traditionally styled building.
Inside, Michiko, in her unfailing silk kimono, was waiting for him, straight, elegant, a real sovereign. Oshima bowed. The woman lightly reciprocated, made a sign for him to follow her and took him to an inner room.
"Some tea, Yoshiki?" she asked with formal courtesy.
"With real pleasure, Michiko." the smiling man answered.
"So?" the woman said after the maid brought the green tea and withdrew.
"Straight to the goal, uhn? Sure. Takeda Jun has been kidnapped, and you are looking for him and suspect me. Is it not so?"
"I see you are well informed."
"Sure. Well, It's not me that has the boy."
"I'm supposed to believe you?" the woman asked, slightly rising one eyebrow in a vaguely ironic expression.
"You have to believe me. I have very good reasons to suspect that the Nakai have him. And my men are looking for him, as yours have ceased, for the moment, waiting to resume the research with the pretext of your son Tomoya's marriage. Very well planned, really. And very altruistic of Tomoya. Afterwards, there will be a divorce, I presume. But I hope I'll be able to bring you the boy, safe and sound."
"Really? And why would you do all that?"
"As a good will gesture, and as a sign that I recognize that the Yamaguchis have won. With the hope you will accept us as a faithful ally. Our hostility began with a stupid sex story. It would be nice if it ended with another sex story... Rather, if after Tomoya's divorce, we had him marry my daughter Nene..."
"Come on!" the woman burst out making a sarcastic sneer.
"I'm trying to survive, Michiko. It would be better being your faithful ally than to completely disappear - possibly in a blood bath."
"And who tells me that you didn't plan the kidnapping so as to come here and make this speech?"
"Michiko, I would have given you this speech sooner or later, anyway, believe me. I didn't need such a poor and twisted showing off. We have been enemies, it is true, but we always respected each other. Does this respect have to fail now that I'm asking you for peace? In the past we avoided useless slaughters and wars. Surely you remember that time your Kazunari had that boyish escapade, don't you?"
"Yes. You behave as a man with his head screwed on right. The Nakai you say? Why? Would you tell me all you know?"
So, Oshima Yoshiki informed her of all he discovered. She carefully listened, asking questions from time to time. At the end she said, "Well. You have convinced me. Listen, if you are really able to find the boy before my men, and if he is safe and sound, we could even seriously talk about my Tomoya and your Nene, and about other matters. For the moment I thank you, Yoshiki."
"Can we at least consider ourselves in a truce?"
"Certainly." the woman answered standing up.
The man satisfied, left the Yamaguchi house. He went back to his house and inquired at what point the research for the boy was at. Being quite certain that the Nakai had him, the field had remarkably narrowed.
Meanwhile Kazunari received the request to personally bring the ransom money to the factory. Knowing from Oshima about the explosives, the Nakai plan was now clear. Michiko told the emissary that Kazunari would bring the requested money to the requested place, but, with the pretext of the imminent marriage, she asked for a week's delay, and waited for the answer. However, being afraid for Jun's life, she asked as proof that the boy was still alive: for a picture of the boy holding in his hands a newspaper dated three days later.
Meanwhile the guests for Tomoya marriage were starting to arrive, and the Yamaguchi's men started again to discretely control the town. Kazunari was on tender hooks - he wanted to do something for his Jun and instead he completely depended on others -- the men keeping Jun prisoner and Kazunari's men that were searching for him without being noticed. Soda tried to do his best to reassure his boss, and had pressured his men, hoping to find the boy as soon as possible.
Two days later everything came to a head.
Kazunari was tense, he couldn't sleep at night. Lonely in his bed, he recalled his Jun: the boy had renounced everything for him, gave himself to him without restraint, overcoming his own fear, for him. Jun really gave him all his love, and now he was repaying that at a risk of his own life all because of him, because he had not been able to renounce anything for the boy. Now, on the contrary, he would have renounced everything in order to rescue the boy. Now he would have also renounced his duty towards the family, but it was too late. Kazunari was not accustomed to tears, but now they came out, just thinking how much his Jun could be suffering because of his faults. How could he have been so blind, unfeeling, egotistic? He said repeatedly to the gentle boy he loved him, and he believed he loved Jun, but just now he was becoming aware that he really had not been able to love him. He, Kazunari, felt happy because he owned the world's most splendid boy, and he had not even been able to even protect him. He couldn't be upset with Soda and his men for Jun's kidnapping. It was just his own fault, because, absorbed in the family business, he had left Jun alone. It was up to him to personally protect the boy, and he had not been able. If anything happened to Jun, if he couldn't have him back safe and sound, he would never forgive himself. Never.
Tomoya's marriage was celebrated. That same morning, Oshima's men singled out Jun's prison and immediately called their boss. The man had already prepared a plan and gave orders by cellular phone to his lieutenant to proceed. Oshima's men succeeded in sneaking into the suburban storehouse where the boy was kept prisoner and, after an intense fight, freed him. Then they phoned Oshima to report that the boy was sound and safe in their hands. Oshima, who was amongst the guests for Tomoya's marriage, told them to take the boy to the hotel he owned, to his personal suite, and to arrange it so the boy could have a good bath, be visited by a doctor, change clothes and rest. He also gave orders to his men to blow up the factory. Then he went to Kazunari who was participating in the party that followed the ceremony very much full of tension and very grim, and gave him the news that Jun was safe and sound, and where he could find him. Kazunari, completely upset, informed his mother and Tomoya, excused himself and ran to the hotel.
When he entered the suite, Jun was resting, exhausted, on the bed. Kazunari approached him and woke him up with a light kiss. The boy opened his eyes, recognized him and lit up.
"Kazu-chan! Finally!" he murmured embracing and pulling his man to him.
They kissed. Then Kazunari asked him, "How are you? What did they do to you?"
"I'm fine, now. I'm just terribly tired. They didn't do anything to me. Nothing bad, apart from insulting and mocking me and keeping me tied all the time. Do you know that I love you?" he sweetly asked then.
"My poor love... You again suffered, because of me. Why did you connect yourself to a no good type like me?" the young man, moved, asked.
"Because the market didn't offer anything better. I'm so happy to be with you again!" Jun lightly answered.
"I would never have forgiven myself if something bad happened to you. Oh, how much I love you, Jun!"
"How much?"
"So much that... Come, I want to show you."
"What, can't we make love, now?"
"Later. Promise. But now there is a very important thing. Dress up and come with me."
Jun complied, even if a little disappointed, because he had hoped to make love with his man immediately. He got into Kazunari's special armoured car which took them home. The last guests were leaving, so Kazunari entered by the back door. He took Jun in his room and told him to wait there. After less than half an hour, he was back.
"In a while they all will come to greet you."
"But, there was a party?"
"Yes, Tomoya did marry, hoping to help you."
"What?" Jun asked with an amused expression thinking that his man was pulling his leg.
Kazunari explained in few words all that had happened. He had just ended when they knocked on the door. Michiko, with Hiroshi, Tomoya and Ryuta, entered. They greeted Jun who was moved by the sincere welcome that all four, but Tomoya in particular, were giving to him. Kazunari waited for the confusion to calm down a little, then asked for silence. He had everybody sitting, than spoke, "Mum, do you feel like driving the family for a few more years?" he serenely asked.
"Well, two more years, right?"
"No, mum, five more, perhaps."
"I don't understand. Do you want more time, Kazunari?"
"I want a lot of time. A whole lot of time. All my life, mum. Are you still thinking about finally having the spa at Mount Fuji restored, and to give them to us?"
"You mean that..." several said.
"I mean that I have at last understood what is my life, what is my place. I mean that I don't want to have my Jun suffering again, because he has suffered too much because of me. I mean that I understand that to drive the family a person is needed who is colder and more determined than I am. For instance, Hiroshi, who, even if he is three years younger than I, is more adult than I am. And, more suitable than I am. I mean that I want to renounce leading the family, and I want to start to live quietly, far away from the problems, with my Jun. I understand that I owe him that."
Jun then very seriously asked, "Are you really sure, Kazunari?"
"Yes, I am more than sure." the young man answered smiling at him with great tenderness.
"Don't you want to think more about that?" Hiroshi asked.
"I've been thinking about that since they kidnapped Jun. Even though I only reached this conclusion yesterday. I told myself that, if I had him back alive, I wanted only what I just said. I feel more than sure, really. Do you feel like taking my place, Hiroshi?"
"If you ask me, and our mother agrees, yes." the youth answered very seriously.
"Mum, what do you think?" Kazunari asked.
"That I will hold the reins of the family for five more years, and that I will have the work at the spa started immediately. I think that Hiroshi will be a good leader, and I hope with all my heart that you two can really be happy together."
"So, Jun, what do you think?" Kazunari asked.
"I... whatever you decide, is all right, you know that, Kazu." the boy, deeply moved answered, barely hiding his intense happiness and emotion.
"Good. So it is decided." Michiko said forcefully, then added with some sweetness: "But now I really think it will be better if Jun relaxes. And tomorrow, if you accept my present, you two will leave for a journey around the world, for a rest, while waiting for the spa to be ready. We will have a great opening when you get back, and meanwhile we will start to publicizing them. Intense work awaits for you, my dear boys. Well, now let's go and leave them in peace," Michiko said standing up and leaving the room.
Hiroshi and Ryuta followed her. Tomoya left last, after winking his eye at Jun and giving him thumbs up.
"Now, my love, do you know how much I love you?" Kazunari asked him.
"Yes, really more than anything in the world. You are great, Kazu-chan. And don't ask me any more why I love you. I don't love you, I adore you, my sweet Kazu-chan."
"Show me, then." the young man said starting to unbutton the boy's jacket and shirt.
"Here? Now?" Jun astounded asked.
"Sure, grant me just the time to pull out the futon and to undress you completely..."
"But... what about the others?"
"You heard my mother, didn't you? She said to leave us in peace. What do you think she meant?" he said, and laid the futon on the tatami, he started once again to pull off his lover's clothes.
Jun laid down, smiling happy, waiting for Kazunari to undress and then welcomed him to his body, wrapping him with his arms and legs, and kissing him greedily.
"Take me, my love. I'm dying with impatience to feel you finally in me. How beautiful you are! I want this splendid snake of yours inside me. Take me, please!" he said in a breath filled with desire as he offered himself to his man.
Kazunari penetrated him with tender virility, holding him with love between his arms, kissing him with passion, and felt as if he was in paradise, -- free and happy. Then he started to move voluptuously inside him, with long, strong strokes, filled with tenderness, and murmured, "I like you, Jun. How much do I like you! I love you. You are the most beautiful and sensual man in the world. And you are more important to me than my own life. I don't want to be far from you even just for a day. United forever, forever. Even if I can't pull off these tattoos, I want my yakuza life to become just a memory."
"But now I like this tattoo very much, and I would like you to always have on you, just this tattoo, as a dress." the boy delightfully answered, lightly following the drawings with his fingertips, while his man was continuing to take him with joy.