This one, as well, is re-done. I am also currently working on the fifth chapter, though it won't be very long since it will mostly talk about Berwald and his relationship with John.

The Mafia's Doll Chapter 4: The First Kill

Yao was currently in his new room, looking down at his siblings whom were sleeping on the cold, hard bed. He, himself, wondered how he was able to sleep on that bed earlier.. Then again, he wasn't asleep, he was blacked out. In a couple minutes, he knew he was going to have to kill the new client, and he was trying his best to prepare himself for whatever was going to happen. If something did go wrong, he'd either have to run or protect that Swedish man.

But he'd probably run since he doesn't care much for Berwald. Though the man had tried to protect his younger siblings ( He could see that Berwald was about to charge at Ivan ), he still did not trust him. He was grateful that he was willing to do that to save his siblings, but, that doesn't mean he would risk his own life for him. After a minute or so of silence, Yao gently rubbed Kiku's head. It wasn't bruised, which was good. He wasn't hit on the head with anything... Speaking of which, his head was still throbbing. That man-Alfred, was it?- he looked like a brat, but he does have a good amount of strength. Yao checked the rest of their heads and sighed to himself. Hopefully, they won't go through a lot of hell here, Yao thought as he heard the rusty door to his room open.

When he turned towards the door, Berwald was standing there with his blank expression and his arms at the side. Just like a soldier. Yes, exactly like one.. His expression and stance made Yao feel like he was heading out to fight a war. While it may not be that extreme, there is still a chance that he could be injured or killed. As he stood up, Yao couldn't help but to think about all the nights and days he spent as a cop. All the nights he sat there at the side of the road, watching every three-ton car drive past him wondering to himself: Who are the people in those cars? Are they normal business men or managers for fast food restaurants, or are they raging lunatics just about to crash into any car or suddenly stop in the middle of the road and shoot at people as they drive by. Now, of course none of that has actually ever happened while he was there, but he had heard some pretty strange stuff happening while the other cops were on patrol.

They walked out of the building and he noticed that while they walked, the only thing that could be heard was the eerie echo of their footsteps throughout the building. They walked through the city because, for whatever reason, Berwald didn't want to use a car. Yao hadn't asked why because he was sure that he wouldn't get an answer. The Swedish man seems to be in a quiet mood at the moment... For whatever reason.

Yao looked around as they walked into the city. All of the city lights, busy street ways, bustling people.. How would they be able to kill anyone in this place? It's so crowded and bright.. Then again, it's a popular city, what else would they expect? They must have something up their sleeves... Or, Berwald did, at least, since he's the one doing the actual killing.. Once they stopped at a walk/stop sign, Yao glanced up at Berwald. When Berwald had told him to go, his face was blank and cold, now it was hard and heated. Was he angry about something or was he just trying to be intimidating and be prepared for the killing? Because it was working. He noticed that the people around them were looking away awkwardly or shaking a bit. Honestly, Yao found it a bit funny, but right now probably wasn't the best time to laugh.

They continued walking when the 'walk' figure appear and Yao kept looking around the city, wanting to go to some of the stores they were passing by. Berwald, on the other hand, kept the sour look on his face. He must concentrate on the killing... He must... He quickened his pace, forgetting the fact that he might be leaving Yao behind and walked to their destination.

Once there, Berwald glanced up at the window to Emberson's apartment. There was a light flickering, which meant he had to have the television on. It being so late at night, probably means that he's asleep by now. Good... It would be easier to shoot him in his sleep. He wouldn't feel anything. Bewald sighed quietly to himself then turned towards Yao and nodded, signaling him that it was time to go.

But, Yao had to know something first" Berwald... Why are we targeting this man?" Now, originally, Yao wouldn't ask about such private things ( If that's what you want to call it ), but since, ya' know, he's going to shoot this guy in the head, he kind of wants to know why.

Berwald's hard expression went blank again" Now isn't the time for that type of question. We need to-"

"I think I have a right to know." Yao crossed his arms, getting stubborn once again. Come on, seriously? Why is it so hard to answer the question? I know I haven't been here for even a day but I have a right to know. Yao thought, getting a little bratty about this.

Berwald shook his head at him and started to walk inside of the three story apartment building. Until Yao grabbed his arm to stop him" I'm not going in until I get my answer.", Yao said with a frown. Berwald paused then turned back towards Yao, thinking to himself (italic) Alfred's difficult to deal with, wanting to rush the job and kill them as soon as possible... But not this difficult…"Yao, you will get your answer after we get this job done."

"Why not now?" Yao's voice started to rise" I just need to know so-"

"What? So you can have a justified reason to shoot and kill a man?" Berwald said with annoyance in his tone and his brows furrowed. To him, that was loosing his cool, and normally he wouldn't do that... He just wanted to get this job done and over with so he could go to bed and forget about this the next morning, like he always does. He watched Yao as he closed his mouth and stayed silent. Though he was annoyed with him right now, he understood his reason to know... He felt that way when he first joined as well, but there is no justice in what they're doing. None at all... Berwald gently pulled his arm away and turned around again" I will tell you after this... Just learn to be patient." He, once again, tried to walk into the building and closed his eyes, hearing Yao's footsteps reluctantly follow after him.

Learn to be patient... Yao scoffed. How can he be patient? Yao glared at the back of Berwald's head, insulted by the fact that he was called 'impatient'. How was he being impatient when he could of easily just grabbed a gun and shot everyone in that building and run off, but instead he decided to stay?

Well...

He couldn't of, and he didn't decide to stay.. More like forced- But that wasn't the point! The point was that if he had enough patience to deal with Ivan and the others, he had a whole lot of damn patience! Yao made a huff and followed Berwald to Emberson's room. Apartment 48.. Yao looked away from it and thought to himself: What if he has family... And he's not alone... What if he has siblings like he does... Yao shook the thought out of his head and looked at the door again, time to man up, isn't it? As Berwald said, he was looking for a justified reason to kill someone.

And it was pathetic.

Now was the time to block his heart out, not to soften it. He watched as Berwald picked the lock and slowly and quietly walked in. They turned the corner and looked at their client: John Emberson. The man who's fate will be sealed tonight. Yao took the gun that was handed to him by Berwald and walked behind John and his cozy-looking chair. He glanced over his head and looked at his sleeping form. So... Dying in your sleep, huh? Not a bad death... He wouldn't feel anything.

Funny, how Berwald thought the same thing.

Yao leaned back and pointed the gun to the back of his head. He slowly inhaled then exhaled through his nose. He pulled the hammer back, shaking as he did so. He was going to do it... He was going to kill a man. This is it... Yao thought over and over again as he put his finger over the trigger. Before he could pull the trigger, though, someone grabbed his hand. He blinked to himself" What-"

Suddenly, Yao was thrown over the chair and onto the ground. As he dropped onto the ground, his gun fell out of his hand and into the corner. He winced, keeping quiet then looked up to see the man, whom they previously thought to be sleeping, standing and pointing a gun at Berwald. Berwald looked at the man with his usual expression, watching the shaking man aim the weapon at his head" Mr. Emberson-"

The man shook his head and shouted, interrupting Berwald" I already told you that I had reasons for what I did!" His voice quivered as he stepped back towards the window, hoping he could jumped out and escape. Even if he was on the third floor, he would escape.

Yao stood up and watched the both of him. John with his wide, frightened eyes and Berwald with his still, sharp-... But, wait.. What was that? Did... Berwald just become... Sad? Now, honestly, it wouldn't be that big of a deal really, if a big man was willing to risk his own life in order to save his siblings, he knew that he has to have some feelings, but to show it during an assassination attempt? Yao's no killer, but he knows not to show any emotions when... You know, murdering people. It makes you look tougher, more intimidating. Yet, Berwald looked a little broken... His eyes begged John to just put the gun down so they can end this... What's going on?

"And you should know the consequences for what you've done." Berwald took a step towards John and watched as his body shook even harder. He could feel his fear and see the sweat slide down his forehead. It wasn't even that hot in here... He's just scared to die.. Which he wouldn't doubt. But, besides fear... He can also feel betrayal. He wondered, though, if he's the one feeling betrayal, not John.

"L-Look!" John began to stutter" H-How about we forget about this, huh, Berwald? W-We can fake my death and I can run off-"

"We both know that he will find out about our lie and kill us both. I'm not risking my life so you can run with your tail between your legs."

John seemed hurt by those words, Yao could tell, but it also angered him. With their history together, how could Berwald not back him up? How could he say that to him? He scowled then glared at Berwald" That's how it's going to be, huh?" His voice still shook as he spoke, but this time it sounded like his throat was tightening up, not because he was scared," Fine!" He screamed" Then I'll have to kill you and you're little rookie here and then escape!"

Berwald sighed then kept walking towards John" You won't do that." His face turned sharp again" Put the gun down, Mr. Emberson."

"Like hell! I'm not dying!" He fired a bullet, shooting Berwald in his shoulder.

"Berwald!" Yao unconsciously yelled as he ran towards Berwald, only to stop halfway since Berwald had charged at John and pinned him to the wall by his throat. Yao stood still and gaped at Berwald as he started to choke the teary eyed man. Berwald was the one scowling now, tightening his grip on the thin neck each second. Yao snapped out of his trance and ran over to Berwald grabbing his arm" Let him go, Berwald!"

Berwald looked down at Yao, whom was frowning deeply at him... Looking him straight in the eyes. Like he had done to Ivan when he was going to be shot in the head. The fire was there again, telling him that choking him at this moment probably wasn't reasonable. They were there to kill him, yes, but the main reason he was choking him was because he was angry. Yao must have assumed that it was because he was shot, but it was mostly because that betrayal that Berwald had felt earlier, was definitely his. What John had done, it probably didn't affect the others, Alfred, Ivan, Eduard, and Ludwig, much... But it hurt Berwald. He wanted John to pay.

Slowly, Berwald let go of John and watched him slide down to the ground in a coughing fit. To see his old friend on the floor like that, tears going down his cheeks and the look of pain on his face, was horrible compared to the grinning, bright face guy he used to see every day. He had to close his eyes to stop seeing it... He didn't want to see it.

Yao kept his grip on Berwald's arm then paused. Something has obviously happened between these two and this job was killing Berwald... Now, he's going to stick by his statement of not saving the Swedish man if anything goes wrong... He'll stick by it, after this. Really, he doesn't need to be saved physically, but mentally. Yao's only doing this because wouldn't be able to deal with Berwald if he would be like this the whole time. He let go of Berwald's arm and walked over to the gun he had dropped earlier. Once he went back to Berwald, he pointed the gun at John's head.

John looked up at Yao and glared up at him, panting a bit" You don't realize what you're getting yourself into, kid."

"I know very well what I have already gotten myself into... Don't take me as a fool." Yao had started to make the same blank expression as Berwald did. Now was definitely the time to block out his heart" The problem is... I don't think you knew what you were getting yourself into... And that's why you're here, and it's why your life is ending." Yao closed his mouth, secretly biting the inside of his cheek, then put his finger on the trigger. With his hand shaking once again, he emptied his heart and mind, closed his eyes, then pulled the trigger, ending the life of the dreadful man.

Yao stood there for a minute or so before opening his eyes. He didn't dare look at the body, so instead, he looked at Berwald. His eyes were closed tightly and his fist were clenched just as hard. I'm sorry Berwald, it had to be done... Yao found it odd that he was apologizing. He had no reason to... Well, okay, he just killed someone who was, he guessed, close to Berwald, but, he was the one who ordered the killing.

There he goes again, trying to justify things. I didn't make the order so I didn't really kill him. Bullshit. He had pulled the trigger and ended the mans life. There really is no excuse for that. Yao shook his head and put the gun in his pocket, figuring Berwald wouldn't want to touch it. He then turned around, towards the door" Let's go, we need to go before the police arrive." Which, they would. Neighbors who heard the gun shot probably called the cops by now. He glanced back at Berwald, making sure not to look at John's limp body and walked out of the apartment building.

Berwald opened his eyes a bit and looked down at John"..." He turned around and followed after Yao, not uttering a word.

When they got far enough, Berwald walked faster and got in front of Yao, mostly to just get back to Ivan sooner. He just needed to report to him then go to bed... That's all. Yao looked at the back of Berwald's head. Seeing the bright lights and hearing the club music bursting in the background and watching Berwald as his head slowly turned down, he couldn't help but feel like the city was starting to annoy him. It shone brightly and sparkled as some of the people in it were dying. Physically and mentally. But it still smiled and went on as if nothing happened.

That's how he saw it anyway. It annoyed him to no end, but, then again, he did that too, didn't he? Smiling at his siblings like they weren't about to die of starvation.

"Great.." Yao mumbled to himself, looking away with his eyes" I'm just great..."

Berwald stopped moving then turned back to Yao" He tried to kill us." Yao halted then looked at Berwald again" What?"

"He tried to kill us." Berwald turned around and continued moving again, not saying anything more. Yao raised an eyebrow and frowned; That's it? Not that being targeted isn't a big deal, but, is that the real reason Berwald was so shaken up? It can't be... Yao sighed to himself again and went after Berwald, knowing very well that the next day would be very fun.