"His tatics feel like Yukuza." Lotus frowned up at the karoke bar in Little Tokyo. She and Clin-san stood down the strret from it and the crowds swerved around them, the bustle that was New York City with a mix of tourist frolic. Lotus wasn't sure which was more annoying.
"Nagi's mother was raised Yukuza before marrying into the Oroku clan." Clin-san wore a black haori and hakama. Lotus wore her black gi, and both were recieving glances and shrugs from the Westernized crowd. "Already he extorts business, otherwise we would not be meeting here. And he recruits others to contend with that side." He gestured at the five young men exiting the club. The one swaggering in front had a large purple dragon tattoo coiled around his entire arm.
"They would draw less attention than ninjas. But if Oroku Nagi gains control of the entire Foot Clan...."
"Feh, let's be finished with this." Clin-san led the way into the karoke bar.
Daisuke met them in the foyer. Lotus narrowed her eyes at her former classmate. He frowned slightly but it disappeared as he adjusted his Western tie. "Mr. Oroku will see you now." He led them past the divider wall into the main club room. Two girls were trying to sing a duet on the stage. The group they were with must be the table laughing the loudest. The stairs were off to the side, and went up to a short hall. Daisuke opened a door on the right side and held it open until they entered.
The office extended the full-length of the hall, making an oppossing space. A collection of bladed weapons and two suits of samuri armor filled the back wall. Large framed landscapes from Japan hung at intervals on the long walls up to the desk.
Oroku Nagi rose from behind the teakwood desk. "Clin-san, Miss Norinaga, welcome to America. How flattering that you have followed me here. Please sit."
Her eyes narrowed at how gaigan he made her name sound, but she was disciplined and would follow Clin-san's lead. Clin-san perched on the chair offered. Lotus stood behind him but slightly to the side. "You know why we have come, Oroku-san," Clin-san said severely.
"You are looking well, Clin-san. Travel agrees with you."
"And you look like a gaigan businessman."
Nagi's dark eyes flashed. He pulled the suit jacket down before sitting again. "A true ninja can assume any part."
"A true ninja does not try to change the rules the Honored Master has established for the succession." Clin-san's arms rested lightly on the chair's arms.
"I came to America to find Saki's followers. Two underlings thought they were doing me a service by eliminating a rival. They have been punished. Now is there anything else? Is the girl ready to fight?"
"Allison Baker will not fight you. She is stepping aside in favor of her brother Zackery. He will fight you when he becomes of age."
Nagi's hands slammed against his desk. "You expect me to wait seven years!"
"I suspect you will find a way to make the time profitable." Clin-san glanced around the office. "But you agreed to settle this by combat with Yoshi's heir, your mother and the Honorable Master agreed as well. You cannot dictate who the heir is."
Nagi straightened his silk tie. "Well, accidents happen, Clin-san."
"Hai, but if any accidents are engineered for the heir and his siter, it will cause a civil war in the Foot Clan. How certain are you of winning that?" Clin-san lifted his chin, but his gaze never left Nagi's face.
"The freaks that killed my brother," Nagi smirked. Lotus stiffened and her hand ached for her katana. "I will kill them for that. And tell them that interferring in my affiars will make killing them easier."
Clin-san nodded once and stood. The meeting was over. The street felt cleaner when Daisuke led them out, even though the crowds hadn't vanished. But Lotus didn't relax not even when they got on the subway. Even though no one was following them, and she was very good at spotting stalkers.
"Well, it appears that they will need your help. Fortunate that you decided to stay." Clin-san perched on the subway bench. Lotus sat next to him. "Even if their safety factors very little in your decision."
"Most fortunate," that was the safest answer.
He cast her a side-long glance. "Always on guard. "I hope your young kappa can teach you how to enjoy life." Lotus felt her cheeks get warm, but Clin-san ignored it. "The arrangements have been made. Are you sure about being a student?"
"I can take on any role." She looked straight ahead at the window of the subway car.
"But a horticultural student?"
Lotus shrugged. "I like bonsai trees."
http://members.tripod.com/~orgcrime/japgangint.htm
http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/gang/yakuza/1.html
http://www.cnfj.navy.mil/phrases.html
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa042901a.htm
http://japanese.about.com/blqow9.htm
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa072303a.htm
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa050601a.htm
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