(A/N: So, it's been quite some time since I wrote anything and this happened to be laying around on my computer for some time. It was never really finished though. ^^; Decided to post it here and see if it got any feedback and if it was worth continuing. *shrug*)

Chapter One: Welcome Back to Ikebukuro

I can't remember much about Ikebukuro, even though I grew up here in Japan. Although Ikebukuro is the largest city located in the Toshima ward, I'm sure I could run around this place with my eyes closed. It's only been a couple years since I've been gone, returning home to my family. My parents are quite wealthy, which is good for my younger sister, but I decided it was time to do something entertaining with my life. Aaaaaand that's pretty much why I left Japan. I headed to America, releasing a few demo tracks before signing a recording contract with a studio in Japan. And that's how I came home. Welcome back, hm?

The rain slowly came down, the tiny droplets warm to the touch as they slowly began to darken the pavement. People scrambled about, umbrellas above their heads as they continued their daily routine. Japan never changed, to those who knew it anyways.

"Good night, Ms. Hayashi!" A young voice called out, the male's soft eyes watching the young woman as he waved.

"See ya later." She smiled that catchy smile of hers, waving back to him as she turned her back, walking away quietly with a pair of headphones now placed gently over her ears. Ms. Kai Hayashi, known only as Jynx by her fans, the newest Japanese sensation. The title didn't really interest her all that much, even for being a singer. "Guess I really did miss being here." She whispered as she walked down one of the many streets.

"You come try Russian sushi?" A tall man called to her as she walked by him, watching as she quickly stopped.

"Oh, you're Russian?" She smiled, pulling her headphones down around her neck.

"Yes, miss. Would you like to come try sushi?" He asked her.

"Well, I think that sounds lovely. Will you join me?" She asked, giving him that catchy smile of hers.

"I have to hand out pamphlets, but I will come in to see you." He smiled, handing her one of the papers in his hand.

"Thank you. Might I ask your name?"

"Simon Brezhnev, miss."

"It's very nice to meet you Simon. I'm Kai Hayashi." She smiled, shaking his hand before taking a step towards the sushi restaurant.

"It nice to meet you as well." Simon smiled, watching her as she walked inside.

Rei sighed as she walked down the street, glancing at her cell phone. She had received a text message from her older sister stating that she was back in Japan, Ikebukuro to be exact. As soon as she received the message, she was out the door.

"Where are you, Kai?" Rei muttered, looking down the street at Russia Sushi. "She did love sushi. Maybe I should check it out."

"Hey, you want to try sushi?" Simon asked her, handing her a pamphlet.

"I'm just looking for my sister. May I go in and look?"

"Yes, yes. Go, go." He laughed, gently pushing her towards the door.

"Thank you mister."

Kai pulled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket, looking at the number of missed calls and messages. "Oh damn it!" She cursed herself for having forgotten to turn her phone volume on. "Rei's gonna kill me.." She whispered, dialing the number before hearing the familiar ringtone. "What a sec.." Her eyes moved towards the door to find her younger sister standing there, a tad bit annoyed. "Rei!" She called out, smiling.

Rei's eyes moved towards the sound and she quickly rushed over, taking a seat with her older sister. "Do you ever answer your phone?"

"Hey, hey, hey. I had it on silent while I was recording, and I guess I forgot to put the ringer back on so you could call me. Speaking of which, why are you out so late?" She watched Rei closely for a moment before pushing the menu in her direction.

"I was coming to meet you. When you told me you were back in Ikebukuro, I was so excited that I ran out the door. Mother and father don't know yet." She was still quiet as she picked up the menu, looking over all the different food. "This all sounds so good."

"Well, I'd like to surprise them so I'm glad you didn't tell them." She shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I thought you didn't like coffee?" Rei laughed, snatching the cup away from her.

"I've grown used to it, but I'd like to score me some energy drinks soon. I'm dying for a reeeeeal drink." Kai laughed, leaning back in her seat as she watched someone come by to take Rei's order. Her eyes moved to the window as she watched people walking by. "Not much has changed, right?"

"Actually, there's quite a bit that's changed. We've got the headless rider, the gangs that run around and then there's some other stuff but I'm sure it can.."

"I heard all about the headless rider. When you say gangs, what are we talking about?"

"Well, there's the Dollars. I don't know much about them but I hear some people talking about it here and there. I guess they're one of those odd gangs here in Ikebukuro. From what I hear, they're a colorless gang and almost everyone is apparently involved."

"The Dollars? That's an odd name for a gang, but whatever. Who else is there?"

"There's the Yellow Scarves, which is a color gang that was started by a group of middle schoolers in Ikebukuro. They were famous for their rivalry against the Blue Squares. The Yellow Scarves are easy to spot as they usually wear a yellow bandana around their neck or any other yellow attire." Rei's eyes moved to the window as she watched a few of them walk by.

"And the Blue Squares? What's their story?"

"The Blue Squares were the rival gang to the Yellow Scarves. It's still an active gang but there was an incident where a girl was hurt. Of course, those responsible were arrested and she was taken to the hospital, but I don't notice much of them around anymore."

"Well, this is truly interesting. I come home to gangs and bullshit. Gimme a break." Kai growled, scratching her head as their food was set on the table. "Thank you very much." She smiled, her chopsticks already in her hand as she began eating rather quickly. "Aaaaahh, this is just perfect. I'll definitely come back here more often."

"Hey sis, where are you living right now? Are you by yourself?" Rei quickly asked, chomping down on her sushi.

"Yeah, I'm alone. I've got myself some really nice condo not too far from here, which reminds me," She smiled, pulling a key out of her pocket and setting it on the table. "This key is yours. If you ever need a place to stay for the night or just wanna drop by, feel free to go nuts."

"R-really? I wonder if.." She paused for a moment as she slipped the key onto her keychain. "No, maybe not."

"Go ahead. I'll arrange someone to pick up your stuff if you really wanna go through with it." Kai smiled, setting her chopsticks down as she swallowed the last piece of shrimp. "It's entirely up to you."

"K-Kai, are you serious? I can actually come stay with you?" Rei's eyes lit up as she watched her older sister carefully.

"I'm dead serious. C'mon, I'll pay for dinner and you can come check it out." She grinned, standing up and walking towards the counter. Setting the cash down, she thanked the man and waited as Rei quickly joined her. "It's really amazing. I didn't think I'd luck out like this. Y'know, I might be able to talk to my manager and see if they'd be interested in getting you involved with me. I could always use another vocalist." She laughed.

Rei grinned, nudging her sister. "Heeeey, don't even start that. I have school to finish, silly."

"Alright, alright. I'll.." Kai's eyes lit up as she watched a young man walk by, his crimson eyes meeting hers. "W-was that who I think that was?" She whispered, watching him closely for a moment.

"Who did you think it was, sis?" Rei watched her, following her gaze. She folded her arms over her chest and shook her head. "You're interested in him?"

Kai quickly shook her head, waving her hands in front of her. "No, no, no! It's nothing like that! I just think I know him.." She laughed, trying to shake off the slight embarassment.

"Riiiiiiight, I'm sure. C'mon, let's gooooooo! I'm excited!"

Kai smirked as she flopped down on her couch, throwing her arm over her face. "Home sweet home. Whaddya think, lil sis?"

Rei's eyes were wide, moving quickly as she took in the large condo. "Amazing." She whispered. "How big is this.."

"Let's see. There's 3 bedrooms upstairs, my office is down the hall. This is the living room, and the kitchen is around the corner. It has a bar, by the way. Also, there's 2 bathrooms upstairs; one in my room and one in the hallway. Balcony is just around the corner, same with the piano. And then there's the spare room which is completely empty and waiting to be filled. Guess it could be an office for yourself if you'd like." She shrugged, sitting up and switching the fireplace on.

"Do you think I can move in tomorrow? I have the day off." Rei smiled, sitting down across from her. "I don't have a whole lot of stuff.."

"How about this? I'll drive over to the house tomorrow, we'll take a look at what you have and if I don't like any of it, I'll go out and buy you new stuff." She grinned. "I think that's fair enough."

"... I'm worried what mother and father will say."

"Pfft, I told them that whenever I had a big enough house, you were mine." She laughed. "They said it would be fine, so I don't think they'll care. It's not like I'm not going to let you finish school. That's the FIRST thing you'll be doing, and if you need cash, no problem. I can give you whatever you need."

"... Thank you, Kai. This means a lot."

"Rei-chan, don't worry your pretty little head about it. C'mon, I'll drive you home." She smiled.

"Hey, Kai-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"Welcome back to Ikebukuro."