Goro Takemura x Reader

Twenty-Two

"You want what?!", with his teeth clenched and eyes widened Yorinobu jumped from his seat and hit the table with such force that it surprised you.

He had never struck you as a man who was able to do violence. His business was manipulation. He knew how to persuade people and if not, also had the necessary means to blackmail them.

And his age did limit him to a certain extend as well.

Even in his youth you hadn't seen him act this way. It struck you by surprise. And it scared you a little as well.

You needed to chose your next words wisely.

"Niichan.", your voice was soft as you approach him with a smile.

With a raised finger he backed away.

"Don't you dare try and charm me.", there was a clear warning in the way his voice sounded. "You might be the youngest of us and I will always be gentle on you but this is out of question."

"I just want to help.", your gaze jumped over to Takemura who stood at the elevator of your brothers apartment.

As usual, he had his arms crossed and a stern look on his face. He had fixed his hair. It now looked as prim and proper as you had met him with.

But there was also something else. This look in his eyes whenever he glanced over to your brother.

Perhaps that was resentment. Or just plain disapproval. It was an open secret that most of Arasaka's employees and money givers did not approve of Yorinobu's return into the family.

To them, he had fucked up and caused unnecessary trouble by creating a gang called Taka.

Only you and the rest of the family knew why he truly was back. To serve as a body replacement for his father, since there was no oldest son anymore to do so.

"You were just kidnapped.", Yorinobu was clearly upset. "And now you want to run back into their arms? Like a headless chicken."

"You don't understand.", you hissed with clenched teeth.

"Make me understand then."

That was him. That was Yorinobu Arasaka. Even though he didn't understand or relate to an issue he still gave you a chance to make it make sense.

If only he would have been a bit more dedicated. He would have made a great leader for this corporation. Perhaps an even better one than Saburo.

You took a deep breath. Even though you didn't want to tell him it seemed like a necessity to win him over for your plan.

Your gaze jumped over your shoulder to Takemura.

Your brother noticed. Ever since Takemura was staying he seemed changed as well. More on edge. Hectic even.

"Leave us.", Yorinobu ordered Takemura.

With his eyebrows drawn together, Takemura glanced at him.

Was that judgement on his face?

Whatever it was, neither of the two men appreciated it. And you could do nothing but stand by and watch how they silently glared at one another with more than just displeasure.

Silence raged but many things were exchanged.

"I only serve the head of the Arasaka family.", Takemura said, clearly with an undertone of pleasure but a bow of his head to not appear rude right away.

"My father isn't here.", Yorinobu replied. "And I am the next in line. I order you to leave us. We have private things to discuss."

Takemura's eyes fell onto you.

A sigh escaped your lips.

"Goro, please leave us.", you gifted him a smile. "Just for a moment. I will be with you in a moment."

He hesitated.

You asked him once more with a silent plead and a soft smile.

Finally, he bowed respectfully and disappeared.

"I will await you in the entrance hall.", he said before the doors fell shut.

You and Yorinobu were left alone, yet did not speak for a few moments before both of you were sure that the elevator was deep enough so that implants wouldn't be able to spy on the conversation.

"You seem set on your decision.", your brother took a seat again, an offering of peace.

For now.

You allowed yourself to sit next to him but couldn't help the gloomy expression that had spread on your face. It wasn't like you to appear this way.

Yorinobu knew that. And it worried him.

"I know what you know.", you finally started. "About the relic that I am to develop. I know what it will be made for."

All of a sudden his face dropped. There was this emptiness in his eyes, like a deep rooted fear that you could also turn on him just like Hanako did.

Yes, Yorinobu was no fool. He knew that he had lost his sisters support. She just didn't knew that he knew so he played along to keep the peace.

Or to win time. Whatever it was, he hadn't expected you to be let in as well.

"Are you..?"

"No.", you shook your head. "I don't support his idea of..."

"Stealing my body."

Something inside your chest cramped up as he said it out loud. All you could do was press your lips into a thin line and nod.

"Niisan.", you looked him in the eyes. "I know that the chances are far from ideal. But I have two options. And in both I'll have to finish the relic."

"To make him proud?", he pressed out between clenched teeth.

His hands moved, a clear sign that he needed to restrain his emotions.

"For myself. I won't let me go back home.", you gave his hand a firm squeeze. "I despise this city! My essence longs for Japan but I cannot cross the border. He has people everywhere."

"So you sacrifice me?!", he freed himself of your touch.

"I would never do that and you know it. Just listen to me. I'll create two relics. One for fathers engram and one for yours. He'll take over your body, yes. But when I find a way I'll give it back to you."

"And how many years will that take? Decades?!"

You sighed.

"This is all I can offer you. It would be a temporary loss. But you will survive. If his engram is placed in you, your entire personality will be gone. You'll be... gone forever. And I won't be able to restore it.", you grabbed him by the shoulders. "Yorinobu, listen to me! I need these mercenaries to store your engram in, temporarily. We have a motive why we'd make them disappear. Nobody would look for them. It's our only chance to keep you alive."