Past Destruction, future rebirth chap 2

[valkyrie skye]

Past Destructions, Future Rebirth
By Valkyrie Skye

Act 1: El Soldado Eternal: Heero Yuy story
Chapter 2: The unwritten contract

May 15, AC180
ES1001 colony cluster of L1

From behind the large polished desk, Boss Tanaka?s secretary curiously stole glances at Odin and the small bundle he held in one arm. It was an odd sight, to be sure. Odin was a tall man with a rather large build. He had a thick neck and wide, square shoulders. In short, he dwarfed most of the Japanese population on this colony. And to see him with such a small child?one that barely spanned the length of the palm of his hand to his elbow?well, they were an interesting pair! And even more unusual was their combined presence in the Boss?s office! Curiosity was a dangerous thing in this line of business. You did not ask questions. Still, she couldn?t help but wonder?

Odin was also a very perceptive man and her stolen glances did not go unnoticed. After a good amount of time had passed, he turned to face her. His deep voice resonated over the baby?s gurgles. ?You want to know about the baby. Yes, Minako??

Minako feigned shock ?No! No, why would I? It?s not my business to know?? She turned back to her paperwork, straightening out the pile of papers in her small slim hands before once again giving in and looking back up at Odin. He gave her a half lidded stare and raised a brow. She shook her head and sighed. ?Ok. Yes. Yes, I want to know about the baby.?

Before Odin could get out a word, a smooth voice resonated from the speaker COM on her desk. ?Minako-san?bring him in.?

He stood up, baby in arm, and gave Minako a flat look. His lips quirked up just a bit on the side and he winked in mischief. ?You?ll probably find out soon enough.?

Walking through the large polished sliding doors, Odin spotted the slim elderly man, his knees folded on the floor. In front of him was a small table decorated with small cherry blossom flowers and exotic birds carved delicately into the wood. On top of the table sat two small porcelain cups and a small porcelain decanter, both delicately designed and beautiful to behold. The slim elderly man stared out his large window, gazing at the large city before him.

After a few moments of contemplation, he spotted Odin by the door. Tanaka smiled and said in English ?forgive me if I choose to speak in this language and you do not understand. I really must practice, as you may well know.?

Odin slid the door closed behind him and bowed deeply to the slim elderly man; careful to keep a tight grip on the bundle he carried. He gave Tanaka a knowing grin, his eyes sparkling. ?Practice does make perfect after all.?

Tanaka?s deep voice rumbled as he spoke. ?Yes, it does, Odin Lowe. Please.? He gestured for him to take a place across the small table. Tanaka was not a very tall or large man, but one quick glance told you that he commanded respect and authority. At once, Odin took his seat, folding his legs and sunk into a sitting position on the hard wood floor.
The Boss gestured to the decanter. ?Sake??

Odin shook his head. ?No, thank you.? He paused for a moment, trying to discern the best way to broach the subject of the afternoon?s events. Tanaka had eyes everywhere. Even though Odin had come directly from the Bordello, he had no doubt that the story had reached the Boss?s ears in some form or another. Perhaps it was best to find out exactly what he already knew first. ?I suppose you heard what happened.?

Boss Tanaka took a sip of his Sake then slowly placed his glass down on the table. Silence hung in the air as his aged eyes narrowed and looked down at the baby in Odin?s arms. ?Somewhat.?

A small chuckle rose from his mouth, causing Odin to take another look at the child in his arms. Faint whispers of chocolate brown downy fuzz topped his little head. The eyes were small as were all the features on the tiny person; yet those eyes had a very slight tilt to them, betraying his Asian heritage. The infant stirred, opening his eyes for a moment before giving a little sigh and returning to his slumber. A glance at those ocean blue eyes betrayed that he was not purely Asian. It would take time to see if this red-faced little creature would prove to be more Western looking than anything else.

?Is he the whore?s son?? asked Tanaka. Odin nodded in response and the Boss gaze took on an inquisitive look. ?Let me see him.?
Odin passed the child gently to Tanaka and watched as the old man enveloped the infant with his aging yet experienced arms. Tanaka?s hard, lined face held a scrutinizing gaze as he took in the child?s features. His voice was as smooth as silk, yet there was a sharp edge lingering behind it. ?He is of mixed blood, isn?t he??

?I believe so. Many men, Japanese and non-Japanese alike, come into ?the Pink Delight.? He could be of some western origin, but we?ll never know exactly what he is.?

?Hn.? The Boss passed the child back to Odin. ?You know I can?t have a half-breed in my organization.?

Odin gave him a sardonic smile. ?You let me in your circle. And last time I checked, I?m nowhere near Japanese, let alone of Asian descent.?
Tanaka returned the smile with one of his own and nodded. ?But you?re good. You?re damn good and?? He paused; his eyes took on an appraising look. ?You remind me of myself. But only you are an exception.?

Odin nodded his head gently ?I?m touched?

Tanaka sipped his Sake again ?I?m glad. The others are not.? Then placed his drink down and looked Odin straight in the eye. ?Is what I hear about Akira-san true??

?Depends on how you heard it.?

Tanaka sighed and for a moment, he seemed old, far older than his looks made him out to be. ?I heard that he threaten the whore, shot her and took all the money she claimed she had.?

Odin nodded in confirmation. ?That?s the general gist of it, yeah.?
The Boss?s lips narrowed pressed into a thin line. It was disgraceful. He did not strive for years to build an organization filled with mindless thugs. ?He never bothered to search the place, check the amount of coke remaining, or interrogate any of her friends over there? He just took the bitch?s word for it??

Odin nodded his head.

Tanaka snorted ?Baka.?

Silence reined the atmosphere for a few more moments before Tanaka turned his attention back to the view outside the window. His hawk-like gaze skimmed over his empire. In those millions of streets were his drug dealers and his pimps with his whores, selling human degradation at an affordable price. There in the tiny shops, his protection dealers? offers security to store owners who wouldn?t dare say no to their offer. His loan sharks made sure that a struggling entrepreneur?s dream or nightmare come true. All of those things made him into the man he is now:

Wealthy.

Powerful.

Fearful.

Tanaka turned his gaze back to the Westerner sitting across from him. This man and this man alone did not fear him. It was refreshing. It was what made a man powerful. It was what made a man dangerous. It was best to keep men like that either as close or as far away from one?s self as possible.

Odin took advantage of the respectful gaze Tanaka bestowed on him to broach another very important subject. ?You know, we did made a deal.?
Tanaka nodded ?Yes. Yes we did. I promised that this would be your last job with me and so it is.? Reaching in his coat pocket, he removed an envelope and placed it on the table in front of Odin.

Odin reached for the envelope with his free hand and peered inside. The transaction was complete and the money had already been transferred to his bank account. What caught his attention was the figure next to the universal credit symbol. Odin lifted his gaze and raised a questioning brow. ?You?re feeling a bit generous, aren?t you??

Tanaka shrugged ?Generosity is just something one uses to wipes his ass. You have earned this. That which is earned is freely given.?

?Appreciate it.? Odin stood up and after straightening himself out, bowed again.

Tanaka eyed him with his aged hawk eyes, as if trying to see read his thoughts and actions. ?Will you name the boy??

Odin thought for a moment before answering. ?She never gave him a name and since I?m not his blood parent, I don?t feel like I have that right. I?ll name him when the time suits me.?

Tanaka shook his head ?The next town has an Orphanage. Put the boy there and don?t trouble yourself with something that?s not yours, Odin.?

?Thank you for your wisdom, Boss Tanaka. But I asked you for your credit- not your advice.? Odin said kindly.

?Consider it a gift. It would be wise to adhere to it. However, since you are determined, will you raise him in the tongue of my people??

?Its only fair.?

Tanaka nodded in approval. ?Very well then, my friend. Go then and live your life as the wind. Blow into the lands of far away places as you did before coming to my city and take the boy with you.? The Boss then stood and walked to stand in front of the window once more. The conversation was over as was Odin?s residence within his organization. Now, everything associated with him must be forgotten. As of that moment, Odin became just another Western foreigner on the colony.

Odin, then readjusted the babe in his arms, turned and stepped back through the sliding doors, passed the secretary?s desk, and walked out the door into the streets, never to return to the office of Boss Natsuhiko Tanaka again.

In room 126 of the Holiday Springs hotel, Odin placed the receiver back onto the old fashioned phone and walked over to the bed. He stopped at the foot of it and watched the baby squirm and fuss. The child had once again pushed the pacifier from its mouth. Odin placed the pacifier back into the baby?s mouth and held it a few seconds before the child?s mouth had a firm hold on it. He certainly looked more like a normal baby in the new cotton outfit of little ducks and toy boats. The rattle tied around the baby?s tiny wrist jingled as the he wove his little arms in an attempt to stretch. Now content and fully awake, his light blue eyes rolled to the tall man, trying ever so hard to focus on the large features in front of him. Odin looked at him, emotions unreadable as he placed his hands into his coat pockets. ?You know,? Odin began quietly, ?you?re not mine.?

The baby remained motionless, seeming transfixed by Odin?s voice.

?I don?t know who your real dad is, but if its any indication as to his personality, he messes around with whores. Speaking of which, your mom tried to save you. I don?t know your mom, but all I know is that she tried.? Odin sat down on the bed and rattled a small toy gun above the baby?s head. The tiny blue eyes moved to try and focus on the object. Odin continued, watching the child?s every move. ?You and I, we?re gonna make a deal. A contract. You?ll understand this more when you grow up, but we gotta make a deal. That?s how things work.? Then he held the gun, slipping his large index finger into the trigger handle while the hand grasped the tiny plastic handle ?You help me, do what I do, and I?ll feed you, name you when it?s appropriate, and do all that nice shit that people with kids do. But just remember this one thing.? And he looked at the child again ?You are not mine.?

The child stilled and turned his gaze back to Odin and just stared at him without blinking. Odin returned the unwavering stare. It appeared as though Odin and that nameless newborn had come to an understanding.

The contract was sealed.

To be continued?