Kisses in Springtime

Chapter 1

Viktor stepped out of the sleek black car that had pulled to a stop in front of the sprawling estate that stood before him. It was a historical Japanese manor complete with its own traditional gate shut tight.

The Russian popped the collar of his elegant black coat briskly as a crisp autumn wind threaded its way lightly through his hair, fluttering the silver bangs under the smart fedora on his head, a thin black briefcase in his gloved hand. Stepping up behind him, a respectful foot away was another man.

Otabek Altin, Viktor's second and one of his close friends, popped the collar on his own black leather jacket with finality as he trailed his unreadable brown eyes over the solid, imposing gate of the Japanese estate. The wind feathering the Kazakh's hair from his face in a gentle caress. The biting fall wind tripping its way down the street playing with the red and yellow leaves that dotted the empty road.

They stood in silence, waiting until a moment later the huge wooden gate gave a low groan and started to open.

Viktor Nikiforov, the only son of Yakov, the leader and Pakhan of the powerful Russian mafia, had been sent as an ambassador of sorts to the port town of Hasetsu in Japan. Though small, the port town held exclusive rights to the drug trade that made its way in and out of northern Japan. And in that small town, the Katsuki Yakuza held absolute authority over the dark side of the city.

Viktor stepped forward through the gates trailed closely by his second as they followed a young beta servant up to the imposing manor. It was a show of good faith between the two negotiating families that the rest of Viktor's men remained outside the heavy gate that had closed behind them with another heavy groan.

Looking straight ahead, Viktor ignored the rich gold and red leaves that fluttered past from the large oaks and maples that dotted the courtyard around them and framed the walkway they were on. He said nothing and neither did Otabek. The other man, walking a foot behind, kept his gaze just as fixed on the soft shoji doors that remained shut as they approached.

Although slight in its offense, the yakuza lack of welcome to the Nikiforov son and heir was an insult just the same. This powerplay of sorts would continue throughout the duration of his visit. The Oyabun had made it clear that he would only negotiate with the Pakhan himself, nonetheless he had agreed to receive the drafted negotiations from Viktor personally.

The beta in front of them led the two men up the stairs, across the rich wooden porch that wrapped around the manor for as far as they could see, and into a large open sitting room covered in old yet well kept tatami mats that spoke volumes of the age and tradition of the historical estate. This place had been the original seat of power for the Katsuki line that dated back almost 100 years.

"Excuse me sir" the beta spoke quietly "It is custom that no one should go before the Oyabun armed. It is my duty to check."

The beta spoke looking straight down at the straw colored mats beneath them, a careful study in submission. Viktor narrowed his eyes slightly as he spread his arms for the beta. Another offense. To have a beta search him for weapons instead of an alpha implied weakness, implied that if he were indeed a threat, a mere beta would be more than enough to handle him. It grated on his nerves and even though it was insulting, Viktor was glad for it. He would rather avoid other alphas as long as he could since his own was already agitated enough as it was. Otabek submitted just as easily, although to Viktor's trained eye, he could see the tension in the Kazakh's shoulders that spoke truth to the insult.

Finishing the search, the beta left quickly likely unsettled by the silence of the two men that were clearly dominant alphas and too much for him to handle. The offense was not lost on the beta either who had swallowed nervously and audibly multiple times throughout the search. Viktor and Otabek had then been softly instructed to wait there and cushions and tea would be provided shortly before the terrified beta almost bolted out the door.