Yakuza Rondo: Kuma/Goro

Yakuza Rondo

Kumagoro

By K.R.Columbus

Copyright 2011 K.R.Columbus

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Antiquarian Age Books

By K.R.Columbus

(Release dates and titles can change at any time…)

………….

(G) - Contains Gay Characters

(S) - Contains Strong Sexual Content

(M) - Contains Medium Sexual Content

(L) - Contains Light Sexual Content

(D) - Contains Disturbing Situations

(Ω) - Contains Speculative Religious Themes

-We Shall be as Gods Series- (L) - (D) - (G) - (Ω)

1st Testament - Vestigial Dream

2nd Testament - The Weaver and the Herder

3rd Testament - Shadows of Me

4th Testament - Children of Exile

5th Testament - Beyond Destiny (2012)

-Sodom’s X Duology- (M) - (D) - (Ω) - (G)

A Song for the End

The World Ends for You

Complete Duology Set (Also Available)

-Hyper Speed Inertia Series- (D) - (G)

-Yamato Trilogy-

Battle-Submarine Yamato

The Fires of Kawaita (2013)

-MAGNA MAQUINA Series- (G)

The Mall

The Greatest Machine of All

Simulation Earth (2013)

-YAKUZA RONDO Series- (M) - (D) - (G)

KUMA/GORO

-NOVELS- (Not part of a Series)

-Hall of the Mountain King- (S) - (G)

-StrayLand- (M) (2013)

-Atollon- (D) (2013)

-The Last Southern Mountain- (G) (2013)

-Young Adult Fiction-

-The Columns of the Universe Trilogy-

The Crown of Orion (2013)

-The Treasures of Shamarkand Series- (G)

Wanderers to Shamarkand

Daughter of the Gods

Carnival of Shadows

The Mechanical Labyrinth

The Mirror Tower (2012)

-Totemic Haven Series- (G)

Totemic Haven

WildChild

Father Sun, Mother Moon (2013)

-Young Adult Fiction- (Not part of a Series)

-Dirty Paws- (Winter 2012)

Salutations;

The truth is that this novel, like most of my novels and novellas, was written for a minority within a minority and for them to find an audience is really hard; especially when my main character pretty much insults any European-American within the first few pages. [Not a personal view, most of the time my characters think pretty differently from my own beliefs.] The truth of this is that Kuma was in fact raised by a Japanese purist; like the ones that don’t allow Americans to enter the sumo world. Still even if Kuma gives this pretty harsh impression at first, that in fact puts off 60% of potential readers, later on as we come to know him we really see that his character is multi layered, and that what he says and does most of the time is not really what the character is thinking. This is one of those cases and Kuma ends up being a bit of a puzzle caught between his father’s way of thinking and his own way of seeing the world. I have been asked to delete the dorm house sequence, to rewrite it, but I'm a chubby gay bear American citizen damn it, enrolled in the selective service, pay my taxes and most of my family has been in the army; I won't change a thing; it is there for a reason. Freedom of speech anyone?

The new cover was drawn and designed by me like all the covers of my books; only that this cover fits the novel better than the older one picturing a pretty realistic CG Kuma. The new anime style cover goes better with my original vision for it. The character design is an echo of the anime designs of the 70’s like Mazinger Z and such. Kuma is a lot like a mixture between Boss from Mazinger Z and Musashi from Getter Robot. I really miss the old character designs, and that takes me to one of my most powerful inspirations for this work. Japanese gay erotic Manga. There are a lot of nods to Kumagoro’s work Otoko Dosukoi [Hence the name of the bear stable], Go Fujimoto, Kujira and many others that wet their fingers black with ink for our enjoyment. There are many others that end up unnamed since most of their work is in fact for minorities within another minority; and most of their work is still not translated to English or Spanish. If any at all.

There are some nods to Video Games like The Ninja Turtles, Double Dragon and River City Ransom [DOWNTOWN in Japan]. Puyo Puyo is mentioned [Puyo Pop is the American name of this game.] and Bust a Move [Puzzle Bubble] is hinted at.

This work was done in a very delicate part of my life, after five years of training to be a sumo wrestler I could not save the money to actually get to Japan. I used my knowledge of Japan and created this book that is in fact a modern adult fantasy with a deep mythological background. Hope everyone enjoys the book and stay for the ride when I write the sequel very soon.

Thank you for your support; and hope you enjoy Yakuza Rondo.

K.R.Columbus.

By K.R.Columbus

Never trust a relative. It’s far worse than trusting strangers. With a stranger there’s a possibility that you might be safe.

Roger Zelazny - The Guns of Avalon

PROLOGUE

-Bear Unleashed-

The whole room was surrounded by semi vertical glass walls, walls that gave view to a troubled city below; a city that even if close to midnight was kept lighted white by artificial lights that lie and cover the buildings below with false purity. An old, yet strong burly man with bushy eyebrows walked and leaned to look at the city below from an observation deck made out of glass as an electronic sound was heard signaling that he had a call.

What do you want? The man questioned knowing who was calling; his voice echoed in the room with power as he leaned slightly and looked below.

You once said to me that I shouldn’t repeat myself… A strong voice answered; a strong voice that somehow seemed flawed.

Still, before me you’ve to. The man glanced back as if he were seeing the person that was calling.

I had to come back; I learned nothing with those Gaijins. By now I’m sick of their pale hair and fart like voices; they fill their own history with shit when all they did was fight each other.

Were we any different? The older man hinted at their own history.

That was different…

Some would differ. The man waited and then sighed while gazing at the city below. I see you learned something from them…

I didn’t…

You don’t care to see it, but I do see what you learned, and it’s something rather unexpected.

And what’s that?

Love for your country…

That…it’s true, but… The other voice began but was interrupted.

I’ll grant your request, but have in mind that what lies between us is still as raw as when it came to be. Do you understand?

My faults come from you…

Is that supposed to be an insult?

No…

Someday you’ll come to embrace what I’m offering; someday you’ll see that it’s the only way to keep our land from collapsing into the wolf’s den that it’s becoming.

I wish I could see things the way you see them, I wish you would’ve had another in my place…that way my failure wouldn’t tax you so.

Silence becomes me in this matter, but what you asked will be so. As we speak an envoi is sending a message of your arrival next week to Downtown. Maybe amongst the filth you’ll find your own road into mine; after all it’s expected from your bloodline.

I’m silence…yet, I thank you father. The voice vanished with an electrical sound.

………

Two days before.

His figure flagged in front of the male dormitory of the Eta Delta Sigma frat house, he joined them out of coalition, out of pity and status, yet all they got him was more problems than the ones he wanted; more problems than the ones he could stand. So on his last night on campus he decided to pay them one last visit, he decided to leave them all his belongings along with a few little surprises; thanks for teaching him the truth behind the Gaijin mask.

Dressed in his most favorite high school uniform and handling his ancient katana he stood in front of the frat house and gazed at the first piece of European simmered shit, so much for watered down English tea; in the end it tastes like toilet water.

What the fuck? Guys look! Goku seems to be dressed like a penguin today. What is it japo?

How many times have I told you fucking gaijin of shit? My name is Kuma, and that I’m Japanese, not a Japo. You should hear your poor excuse of a self; you sound like an ill written copy of Clavell’s Asian subdued cultural cock sucking propaganda. Kuma revealed his sword and flashed it before the young man.

A sword! What’re you doing!?! The man staggered away.

Taking the sword with both hands Kuma twirled it in the air, making his skin show in each twirl and swing of the sword; to the point that he stopped and allowed the earth before him to swallow part of the blade just as he gazed at the young man in the porch. A single stare made the young man shit himself on the pants as he staggered away as Kuma walked towards him with a sick grin that could only be accentuated by his bushy eyebrows and heavy body.

So much for you… Kuma said as he grabbed the young man by the collar of his shirt and hurled him towards the front door of the frat house; the door exploded as the young man landed unconscious at the other end.

Loud rock music was stopped as shouting took over and could be heard from outside; shouting accompanied by very colorful language. Kuma waited at the frame of the door, looking in for the first person to cross the line; leaning on the door frame as if nothing were happening. A young man with black hair came closer.

Kuma… He began, but never finished the line, because in that moment Kuma ran towards him, pushed him into the house and with that same velocity he pushed him against the nearest wall.

With a single punch he pummeled the young man’s head against the wall and so leaving a bloody stain as the young man trailed down to the floor. Kuma looked at his bloodied hand, he looked at it as feelings began to curl up inside and give way to rage, a rage that knew no comparison. He breathed like a wild animal, to the point that the others that had begun to surround him saw an image above his own; the image of a wild bear. Kuma’s shoulders raise and lower with his insane breathing as his back was given to the others in the house. As they saw the black haired men fall to the floor in unconscious pain they were scared shitless.

Kuma took his bloodied fist and licked it as he closed his eyes after looking at the young man at his feet. He wanted to say something, yet he couldn’t.

They came to him from all sides but within a second he had lurched himself towards one and hit two on the balls with his feet as he fell on the chest of the one he clang to. Seconds before they touched the floor he placed his elbow in the man’s chest and so as they hit the floor he felt the man’s chest give in; this one won’t bother him again. Before the others had time to feel good about their nuts being kicked Kuma was already on his feet and standing on the chest of the man he had just leveled to the floor, with a wild snarl he readied himself.

While grabbing their cocks they backed away from the heavy set young man they’d come to know as the Japo. They’d never noticed the fire hidden behind his chunky, yet angry face. They never saw the murderous intent that waited to be let loose and that in that moment was eating them alive. Kuma had been merciful. At the moment he was being restrained and, oh so merciful.

That’s not my name… He used to repeat time after time; every time unheard.

With a single kick he transferred one of the guys to the floor and there he raised his leg high and allowed it to grace the man’s face with a furious crunch that was followed by yet another kick that pushed the remaining guy against the wall. Kuma stood still, his head tilted towards the left and looking at the black haired young man that against the wall was trying to run away. He wanted to say and do something, yet he didn’t. With a sudden dash Kuma came to the fat, black haired student and punched him on the face, once, then twice and then thrice, he kept hitting the student until both his fists were dripping red.

I’m sorry…. Kuma said as he walked away, staggering away from what once had been a student.

Once outside he stood beside his grounded katana sword, he took a cigarette from a box he had on a pocket and lit it with a lighter; he puffed smoke towards the night sky as he heard the neighbors scream and call. Biting deep into the cigarette Kuma kneeled, took the sword with one hand in such a way that he severed the smallest finger from his left hand; his terrible pain was muffled by cigarette smoke and polluted liberty air as he took the now dripping katana, and yet the pain he was caring for was unseen and unaltered. The blood on his blade was his own. He stood on the severed finger, kicked it with one leg until he saw it to be unusable, then he looked towards the street where a man dressed in black was waiting for him in a car. The man came to Kuma and regarded him with his eyes.

Tell my father what I’ve done, all of it. Kuma said.

Yes, master Kuma. The man said as Kuma entered the car with nothing more than a frown.

CHAPTER 1

-New Arrival-

A lonely figure dressed in a black high school uniform stood defiant against the blue sky next to a rectangular stone sign that marked with sharp strokes of sculpted brilliance the name of the place he wanted to get into. He curled and bit his lower lip as he tried to hide a snarl.

As I stand before the heya’s main gate many things are running in my mind, but one thing is for sure, and that’s that I’m getting in. The possibilities are that my father already called them announcing my arrival and as we speak they all must be as soft as boar shit towards my arrival. Is this the type of tempering my father wants me to face? This is too bothersome! Kuma thought as he pierced his stare on the name tag.

The high school uniforms used all over Japan consist of a black suit with a white t-shirt under, very strict stuff when you come to consider it. It had been already more than four years since Kuma left high school, yet he still wears the uniform as a code of arms; a type of armor in this corrupt world he came to understand.

Members of a Heya use matching clothing like this one and Kuma knows that these ones in specific are the ones used by this Heya.

Kuma is the type of guy that has a face that looks tempered with fire and that always seems to be angry about something…even his eyebrows overflow to tell of his temper. He always was respected in school, a sort of lonely respect that comes hard upon the fellow, yet it’s earned.

Damn this is too bothersome! He gazed upon the sharply sculpted characters that mark the name of the Heya, and then kicked it gently with his perfectly white shoes; Kuma hates to wait as much as he hates cold dishes, or sweet and sour stuff.

Kuma is waiting for a slave boy to open the gate, and so allow him inside. He breaths deeply and then closes his eyes just seconds before the main wooden gate began to open. Upon hearing the door open he opened his eyes and looked upon the one opening the wooden gates. At first glance he believed that the slave boy was naked but saw that he was dressed in a traditional loincloth; the boy is maybe two or three years younger than Kuma but shows an ever growing presence that seems to be powered by his dispersed sideburns.

They’ve been waiting for you master Kuma. The young man said bowing.

Kuma looked at the boy; he seems to be seventeen or so. What’s your name?

It doesn’t matter sir, I’m but a slave still. The boy’s voice was strong and reassured even if he was as soiled as this.

I asked for your name. Kuma commanded.

The boy lowered his stare as he noticed that Kuma was getting angry. Master Kuma, my name is Goro.

Goro you say…interesting.

Goro is trying to hide part of his ego, the part that in that moment is feeling so good to be recognized by the son of Kachōyabun Daigo; he actually asked for his name. Daigo is a powerful man that runs the underworld single-handedly and is the one that sees that all the silhouette Heya houses don’t get too deep into each other’s necks. The one with total neutrality that padded the way to a son that’s Bear oriented. He wasn’t happy when he heard that his son wanted to get into the Kumagoro Heya stable, but still he wasn’t angry about it…after all he wants his son to gather enough character, and the Kumagoro house will see to that, and fast…even if it brings problems later on.

Master Kuma, you can wait here while I summon the house master to meet you. Goro walked away after saying this; he seemed to be staggering.

Ounce inside Kuma was taken to a small garden that had a single male cedar in its center next to a few benches; from where he was standing he could see the sliding door that leads into the interior of the house and the stone pathways that leads to the kitchen and maybe the dormitories. After a while Goro staggered towards Kuma once again and bent with all the grace he could give.

Grandmaster Bunta Gaman is waiting for you in the main chamber along with the other heads of the house; if you care to follow me I will lead the way master Kuma. Goro smiled gently at Kuma; something Kuma haven’t seen in a while…not in this world anyway.

Kuma was reduced to say yes with his head as he followed Goro across the main entrance and into the main entrance room. As he sat in the semi raised floor that leads into the house he heard a far away wind chime breaking away the subtle silence that reigned everywhere, with unintended care Goro took Kuma’s white shoes. For a moment Kuma looked at a large wood carving with the names of the people that had been part of that stable; yet he didn’t pay much attention to it.

I’ll keep them safe master. Goro took the shoes as if they were a treasure; he held them close to his body.

You better, how long have you been here?

Mater Kuma I don’t know if my current master will allow me to speak with you…I don’t want to bring you problems in a more event time.

At least tell me the name of your master, for respect…so I can tell him how good you’ve been, so he can reward you.

"I don’t need any rewards;