Chapter Text
Dan, Tetsu, and Chiharu laughed as they watched the small portable TV on the table in Itokan. “This is where the ghosts are going to jump-scare the host,” Dan said laughing.
Ichika just rolled her eyes at this. She had enough ghost stories for her life. She even knew that a few could just pop in right now if they wanted to. She found it more interesting to look at Cobra’s expression. He seemed to be more stoic as they watched.
There was a bang of a door opening causing the boys to jump. “And this is where we keep the vegetables,” Naomi explained, kicking open the door as she and Fuuka carried bags of vegetables.
“Don’t scare us like that,” Tetsu said, looking at Naomi who was showing Fuuka the ropes. Fuuka wanted to get closer to her would be mother-in-law and helping her with Itokan seemed like a good idea.
Naomi just glared at the three boys. “And what are you going to do about it?” she asked. Ichika smirked. She had inherited that stare from her Mama. But she used it with a gun to match.
“N-Nothing.” Dan timidly replied. Then swatted Tetsu. They went back to watching the show.
“I wonder if this is real?” Chiharu asked.
“Huh?” Dan looked at him.
“I mean would ghosts really haunt a place like this guy is saying they would.”
Cobra coughed and took a long drink from his pint glass of tequila. Ichika thought about something for a minute and it hit her. “Clear out boys,” she said to the three of them.
“Huh? But it was getting to the good part.” Dan complained. Ichika just reached under the bar and brought out her gun.
“Do I need to repeat myself?”
“NO MA’AM!” They yelled in unison and rushed out of Itokan.
“Cobra,” Ichika asked as she walked around the counter and turned off the TV. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No?” He took another drink, but his hand was shaking.
“Oh really?” she smirked as she picked up her bat to threaten Cobra. “I seem to remember when I started that story that started us on this journey...I found rumors of a ghost at your gas station.”
Cobra went pale, nearly dropping the glass. He barely managed to put it down before putting his head in his hands.
Ichika smirked and raised his head. “Funny thing is...I kinda figured it out already.” She pulled out another flash drive for her future tech. “Next time we see future Noboru we’ll both hit him.”
She hit the play button on a video. “Really this place is a dump.” a man said walking into the back room of the station. There Cobra, Murayama, Ichika, and two little girls were having a tea party.
“Care to join our tea party?” Cobra asked.
“Tea party! Tea party! Tea party!”
“Dick shot! Dick shot! Dick shot!” Both girls chanted.
“Huh?” he asked.
“Oh these girls will say the darndest things. Have some tea.” Ichika said, handing him a cup.
“Huh?” he asked again as he looked into the cup and screamed. It was full of maggots.
“You don’t like our girls’ tea?” Murayama grumbled. As he spoke a trickle of blood appeared at his temple and mouth.
“What the fuck?” He backed away from the three of them as each started to bleed. Cobra’s shirt was quickly turning red from a gut wound. Ichika was bleeding from under her chin. And Murayama looked like he was bleeding out.
“You don’t like my sister’s tea?” He turned and saw Kiba. Fangs in his mouth, blood almost pouring down his chin, and a gunshot in his shoulder.
“Oh my God in heaven.”
“You know what that means?” Ichika asked, pulling out her gun.
“DICK SHOT!” the boys yelled.
Ichika smirked as she pulled the trigger as he ran for his life. A bang could be heard from the gun but no bullet actually left the barrel. And when he was out of earshot Kiba fell over laughing as the blood disappeared. Murayama and Ichika were giggling as the little girls disappeared. “Noboru said he would send this back to you. Give us your happy memories and we will give you these.”
Ichika just looked at Cobra, the living Cobra. Her face was a mask so he wasn’t able to read it.
He avoided her eyes, draining his glass. He exhaled shakily, but remained quiet.
Ichika sighed. “How bad were you before my ghost found you on the other side?” He eyed her. “Oh c’mon. We both know that the tea party was MY idea. It is the exact shit I would find funny...because I laughed for like twenty minutes when I saw it for the first time. So how bad were you before?”
The answer was quiet. “Remember the pictures Saigo had?”
A soft sob could be heard as tears formed in her eyes. “W-Why that?” she moaned out.
“I couldn’t be sure who was safe. I had to protect Sannoh. I almost..” He shook his head as the words died on his lips.
Ichika almost collapsed into his chest as she sobbed. Fuuka wanted to rush over to her girlfriend and hold her. But Cobra beat her to it as he wrapped his arms around her. After a few minutes of sobs, Ichika calmed down enough to look Cobra in the eyes. “When I join the afterlife...you better run for a week.”
His lips curled into a smile although his eyes were still haunted. “My head is not a baseball, Chika.”
Ichika giggled as she wiped the tears away. “Wrong head I’ll be aiming for, my love.” She kissed him lovingly as Murayama walked into Itokan with Saigo. He spotted the puffy red eyes of Ichika.
“Oy Cobra-chan. Do I need to beat you for something again?”
“In your dreams. What is he doing here anyway?”
“Baka!” Murayama roared and went up to Cobra. “I can kick your ass before I take it.”
Fuuka rushed around the counter and stepped between the two of them. “Boys! Business before...pleasure, I guess.” Ichika giggled at the face of confused acceptance on Fuuka’s face. “I blame you, lover.” Fuuka kissed Ichika.
“...I don’t come around for a while and she’s got a girlfriend now? Whatever. Cobra, what do you remember about your father?”
Cobra’s demeanor instantly changed and his tone was hostile when he answered. “Nothing I’m telling you.”
“Oh you mean like he was the leader of the Scorpion Gang. Led this town to a near peace like you and yours have. And left that life when he thought the town was safe and didn’t need him?”
“What’s your point?”
He chuckled. “I was his second in command.”
Cobra’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a cop. I call bullshit.”
He reached into his pocket. Pulled out an old photo. “We took this the day your dad met your mom.” He set it on the table to show a picture of Saigo and both of his parents smiling at the camera. Saigo and Cobra’s dad were wearing the same jacket with a scorpion logo on it.
Cobra looked like he’d been hit by one of Oya’s trucks. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the photo, reaching one hand toward it.
“You can have that kid.” Saigo sighed. “I miss your old man.” He looked at the picture of Kohaku and Tatsuya in their Mugen vests. “I was the one that recruited these two for that gang.” He chuckled. “You have no idea how long I have wanted to talk to you about all of this kid.”
“When your dad left, he encouraged me. I was trash when I was younger. Being part of the police was my dream. But they wouldn’t take me then. Then we worked on fixing this town. He thought the troubles were behind us so he wanted to follow his own dream of opening that gas station with your mom. And he literally dropped me off at the police station recruitment office and locked the door of the car on me only going to let me back in if I applied. I will always love him for that.”
Cobra snickered before meeting the cop’s eyes. “Why bring this up now?”
He sighed. “...We got a tip. Almost twice a day until someone finally checked it all out. One of the threats WE fought was part of that tip. The Scorpions DOUBT I guess you would call him, well he is back.” He looked at Naomi. “The old gang is all but gone. A few members here and there but most died elsewhere. So he is seeking revenge on the descendants of those who took him down. Like Cobra and your husband, Naomi.”
“Let him try.” Cobra sneered. “One guy is nothing when we took down Kuryu.”
Saigo roared and slammed his fist on the counter. “Don’t underestimate him. He killed a lot of good men buried in that gang cemetery. I can’t even give you a name or a picture. The man was a fucking chameleon. Changing both his face and name like we change underwear.” He huffed out a few calming breaths. “And besides I’m worried about the ladies.”
That seemed to make Cobra even angrier. “I will cut off his hands and make him eat them if he touches a hair on their heads.”
Saigo chuckled. “Did you think I was talking about Naomi...or rather her daughter Ichika?”
“Any of them. Rocky isn’t the only one who protects women. You would do well to remember that.”
Saigo laughed outright. “So much like your father. And I’m proud of you. You just found out I figured out your little secret that Ichika was from the future but just went into defensive mode and didn’t flinch. But so they, the women I WAS talking about, are protected I’ll tell you who they are. Two of the three founding members of Strawberry Milk. One was your mom, Cobra.”
He looked at Naomi. “Then there is the woman who runs the bar nearby. Finally, your mother-in-law, Naomi.”
“We will protect them,” Cobra said firmly. Then he rose and bent to speak into Saigo’s ear. “Also, if you breathe a word about Chika...it will be the last thing you ever do.”
Saigo chuckled. “Scouts honor. Besides, I want to look your dad in the eyes with a clean conscience when I see him again. She’s his daughter-in-law.”
Cobra snorted. “You, a clean conscience? Pull the other leg, why don’t you?”
“I wash it twice a day. Anyway, I am a target too. So I put in for a nice vacation to Hawaii. I better come home to a town where you put all your toys away yourself.”
“I’ll even get Murayama to mop.”
“I’m really going to beat your ass now,” Murayama grumbled. Ichika just rested her head on his shoulder.
“Seriously, is she trying to help with the birth rate problem by sleeping with everyone?” Saigo noticed the look in Cobra’s eyes. “Yup just like your old man. Ja naa.”
“You should shoot off his dick,” Cobra growled before lighting a cigarette. “We need a safe place to stash all of you.”
“We both know the perfect place. My parents.”
Cobra looked thoughtful. “Good idea. We’ll keep an eye out for this jerk. Naomi, post a sign saying you’re closed for a few days. Chika, call everyone and get the kids ready. As soon as it is done, you guys leave and don’t come back until you’re contacted.”
Ichika nodded thoughtfully. “Cobra dear. This is why you are NEVER in charge of the planning.”
He raised an eyebrow at her.
“First of all. Fuuka wasn’t just trying to get close to her pseudo-mother-in-law by learning the ropes here at Itokan. She is a cook and is going to be able to handle the orders of this place.”
“Your point? This isn’t about her ability. I won’t risk any of you to this creep. Babies need their Mamas.”
“Which leads me to my second point.” She kissed him lovingly...then kicked him in the balls. “I AIN’T LEAVING YOU YOU STUPID SON OF A BITCH! And if I stay we both know she will.”
“Stubborn brat.” Cobra wheezed softly.
“And we both love that about her Cobra-chan. Should we all kiss it and make it better?”
“Ew.” Naomi groaned.
Cobra sighed before picking himself up and walking out of Itokan silently.
He didn’t make it past the bike stand before a man walked up to him. “Itokan? Is the food any good here, young man?”
“Best in town in my opinion. Quick service too. Go ahead and go in, the lunch rush is over.”
“Ah, it is alright. I have already eaten. I haven’t been in this area for a few decades. Just noticed this quaint little shop face.”
“Oh. Well, you can come by next time I guess. I have to go somewhere, so..” Cobra kept his face neutral even though his inner alarms were ringing at the man’s statement.
“Oh well. It looks like you are a clever boy.” He got into a car that had been parked just a few feet away. He rolled down the window. “I’d expect nothing else from Stinger’s kid.” He smirked. “And I cut your gas line so don’t think you can follow me today. Just wanted to stop by and say hi.” He waved smugly as he rolled up his window as he drove away.
Cobra took a deep breath, debating his next course of action. After a moment, he pulled out his phone. “Yamato, you need to be Daddy. Chika is being stubborn again. And I need a new gas line.”
As he hung up the phone Dan, Chiharu, and Tetsu came back up to Itokan. “What happened to your gas line?”
“Nothing,” he growled.
“Uh, we were wondering if we could return to Itokan.” Dan rubbed the back of his head.
“Why wouldn’t you be able to return?”
“Well, your wife...then there was that guy we pointed to Itokan.”
“Guy?”
“Yeah, he was looking for you actually. We told him where you were and that we are as close as brothers.”
“YOU IDIOTS!” Cobra stormed off toward Yamato’s shop pushing his bike angrier with each step.
* * *
Hours later Yamato came into Itokan to find his mom and Mama Odake talking to Ichika. “What the hell is going on?”
“Trouble as per usual Papa.”
“Figured as much. Cobra’s gas line was cut on his bike.”
“WHAT THE FUCK?!”
“He’s fine. Apparently, this guy did it. Couldn’t get much out of him.”
“Please tell me that you didn’t leave him alone?” Naomi demanded.
“I’m not stupid, Ugly.”
“I’ll kill you.”
“Let me guess you called Murayama?” Ichika sighed in relief when he nodded. “No, you can’t talk me out of staying.”
The door opened and Cobra came in. He didn’t say anything, simply headed for the liquor cabinet. He opened the tequila and drank straight from the bottle. Chika saw his hand shaking.
She went up to him and rested a hand on the one holding the bottle. “You know if you wanted to convince me to STAY you are doing a great job.”
“You can’t. You have to go. Please.”
Ichika looked into the eyes of her husband as Murayama walked into the room and leaned up against the door frame. “Yo Cobra-chan this doesn’t look like the bathroom at Papa’s place.”
Cobra growled at him before taking another long drink. “I wonder why you snuck all the way to where you knew the love of our life was?” He kicked off the frame and walked over to him. “You thinking about hog-tying her and sending her to future Papa-chan?”
“Thinking? No. Doing, yes.”
“I have your son and your daughter...what use do I have for your dick again?”
Cobra threw the bottle across the room. “Dammit Chika! He taunted me right outside! He cut my gas line! I AM NOT going to lose you!”
Ichika kissed him. “And I am not going to lose you. You already want to hurt him. I am not losing you to your murder rage confusion shit. We have come too far. We have too much. YOU ARE TOO IMPORTANT!”
“He scares me Chika. No one has ever scared me so much..”
“That’s what we are here for baka,” Murayama said resting his head on his shoulder. “We keep each other level. And Fuuka keeps the peace. The perfect relationship for us.”
Cobra swayed, his breathing fast. “I..”
Both Murayama and Ichika held onto him tightly. Keeping him upright and unmoving. “Like right now my love. We are here holding you up.” Fuuka came around the back of him and set a chair down so he could sit in it.
“And Fuuka-chan has analyzed the situation and determined you needed a chair,” Murayama smirked, setting him in it.
“And you got me now too. This is a pretty damn weird relationship but it works.” Fuuka smiled at him.
“Let it work.” Ichika smiled at her husband.
Cobra closed his eyes and tried to calm down. “He might come back at any time. We have to be ready.”
“I think you’ll find they are ahead of you there.” Mama Odake smiled at him. “They have already sent all the kids to this future with the Junkos. We are heading there too with Naomi. I just wanted to see you before we left ourselves.”
“Why?” Cobra looked at her with puzzled eyes.
“It’s funny really. When your dad started Scorpion...I was his girlfriend.” She smiled. “So many happy memories with him. I just couldn’t compete with your mom.”
Cobra chuckled. “She was great. But so are you.”
She kissed his cheek. “That’s so sweet. But she was perfect. That’s why I stepped out of the way. The best man needed the best woman. And YOU are the best of both. This guy was terrifying back then. And...yes he might be worse now. But you are so much more than just his son.”
“You are Cobra. Leader of Sannoh Rengokai. You brought us the woman who has brought a peace to this town your dad could only dream of. And you are better than him. SO SHOW IT!”
Cobra looked embarrassed for a moment then nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
“I’m ready now. Come on.”
Naomi opened the portal. “I wonder if there is a pachinko machine near where my boy lives?” Naomi chuckled as the three of them walked through.
Cobra eyed Chika, then sighed. “Don’t think about ruining that moment, you Baka Gang leader-san.” She smirked at him as the portal closed.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He muttered before going quiet.
She kissed him again. “Nope. Shall we wait for you to be able to stand on your own before we go over offensive strategies?”
“I’m fine.” Cobra looked at Murayama. “We should bait him. Lead him somewhere we have the advantage.”
“Leading him could work. But we don't really know him. From what I gathered from Oba-chan he was always a bit out there.”
“Why would my mom know this guy?” Yamato asked. Ichika pulled out a prepared plate.
“A gift from Mama. Now shut up and eat Papa.” She shoved him in front of the plate.
Cobra chewed on his lip. “Maybe I should pay him a visit alone. Might get the chance to end this fast.”
“And then we will let you take an unchaperoned tour of a tequila factory with no one around,” Murayama smirked.
“He knows who I am. He doesn’t know you. He could have just let me get on my bike, but he told me what he’d done. Maybe I can talk him into leaving town for good.”
Ichika and Fuuka shared a look and it dawned on both of them. “You’re right.”
“Huh?” Cobra and Murayama asked together in shock.
“He DOES know you and what you look like. And I think I have a plan.” Ichika smirked.