The outlaw and the mercenary

1. Outlaws

It has been awhile since my last job, not that i have been struggling money wise, seems being the eldest son of the head of the biggest gang in not just Japan but the whole of Asia had its perks. Even though i'm no longer part of the gang myself, my brother Genji still sends me money.

All through out my life i have been strictly watched over by the leaders of the gang, for i was suppose to one day take over when my father dies. But i did something i regret.

My mother. After the birth of my brother our mother left Japan. No longer wanting any part of the Shimada clan's illegal affairs. When i was 18 i tried to find her, and i did! However, little did i know that she was in hiding from my father, who had the intent to kill her. I led them straight to her. At the time when i found her i left Japan and went to America, to where she was hiding in New Mexico. When i got there it was too late i couldn't save her. One of the many mistakes i have made, or will make. But still not as bad as that damned cowboy.

-------- 10 years ago (aged 18)

'Brother! Must you go?'

'Forgive me Genji, i can not bare not knowing who our mother is. I want to know why she married father in the first place'

You say with a slight cockiness.

'Can i not come to Hanzo?'

Genji looks worryingly towards you. You do wish he could come too so the both of you could leave this terrible place forever. But Genji is too young, being only 15. Father has always treated Genji better than himself, with him being his favourite and all. Therefore, it would be best for him too stay here and to become the heir himself.

'No Genji, i need you here, you're the only one i trust!'

Genji starts to pout making his usual puppy face.

'You know that hasn't worked on me since i was 16 right?'

You stand there proudly, seen as you are one of the few that don't fall onto there knees for Genji being the young playboy he is. He would usual have a new boy around his neck each week, though this week he seems a little down and more reserved than normal.

As night falls you grab your camo backpack filled with clothes, money and your passport before sneaking past the front guards and out the main doors. Genji was right, it's so easy to get past father's dumb henchmen. Well it does help that you are trained in hand-to-hand combat, assassination techniques and have mastered various weapon, your favourite being the bow.

It isn't long until your on a plane to America, finding yourself asleep for most of it even though it's your first plane experience. Not to mention how you had to sit in the commoners part of the plane seen as you only brought a certain amount of money. You could ask for Genji to send some if it's needed, but father could find out if he did that and Genji would be punished. Most likely with death. You will just have to deal with what you have.

After a very long 15 hours on the plane and one stop in Italy you finally make it to New Mexico. You take in your surrounding while heading straight to where your mother was last sighted, making it your first priority. Little did you know that you search would led you into another gangs territory.

You travel to this small yet quaint cafe that's located at the side of a route known as 66. This is the spot she was last seen.

Before you enter a chill goes down your spine, as you notice some kind of symbol.

'Deadlock?'

You feel you have heard of it before, you aren't sure where. Ah that's it, this area must be called it, you recall seeing a sign a few minutes ago with the same name. You step inside of the retro dinner surveying all the faces that turn to notice your presence. The place is filled this a lot of bikers, though having some motorbike knowledge and experience you don't feel you are to out of place. But you totally are. You look at the clothing of the ghosts that haunt the dinner, they're all wearing black leather and jackets, while your wearing your usual kyudo-gi. Making you stand out against the regulars, but it doesn't help that you're Japanese and everyone else there is a full fledged American.