Okay, so the final chapter of the present story line is finished. So I figured: Why not throw another completely random story at you?
Chapter beta'd by E.M. PRAETORIAN
Chie ducked behind a crate as gunfire rang out, sending chips of wood flying into the air. She rose and fired off a few rounds, smiling in satisfaction as a scream of pain echoed over through the warehouse. Good Grief this was a cliché, gunfight in a warehouse with smugglers, she was sure there would be a car chase soon.
Nearby her comrade in arms, Natsuki Kruger, was firing with time-honed precision and skill. Chie had spent years perfecting the art of firing a gun, but she was nowhere near Natsuki's level, no one was. The warehouse went quiet as Natsuki dispatched of the last gangster and the two looked at each other, before nodding and moving towards their goal, making sure cover was handy at all times. They passed the bodies without incident and continued. Finally they reached the door to the office, which was locked and reinforced. Chie pulled out a series of lock picks and preceded to open the door, while, alert as ever, Natsuki covered her.
Once the door was unlocked, Chie opened it immediately taking cover as a hail of gunfire greeted them. Natsuki quickly dispatched of the grunts and they stepped into the room, quickly assessing it for any dangers. Then they trained their guns on the fat man who was cowering and whimpering in the corner, trying desperately to hide behind the questionable safety of his desk.
"Please, I only manage the warehouses, I don't know anything about anything else," He sobbed, pressing himself even further into the wall, as if he could melt through it. Natsuki had both her handguns trained on his face, whilst Chie lowered hers almost imperceptibly.
"Who are you working for?" she asked, her husky voice harsh. The man's face twisted in terror.
"I can't say, they'll kill me… please," He gasped, looking around wildly. Chie moved forward and kicked him hard in the face, the man screamed as blood poured from his nose, staining his ridiculously expensive white silk shirt with crimson.
"We'll kill you if you don't, and we're the ones here now," she stated, raising her gun back into position. The man clutched his face, clearly thinking of his chances.
"Reito… Kanzaki," He hissed, looking wretched. Chie glanced at Natsuki, wondering whether her ever stoic companion was as surprised as she was. Judging by her expression she was. Natsuki met her eyes and nodded, stepping forward she struck the man and he slumped down the wall, unconscious. Wordlessly, they left, mixing with the busy street effortlessly. After a short walk they reached Chie's car and climbed inside, driving away as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
For them, it was. They were mercenaries with close ties to a crime boss named Shizuru Viola, who just recently had become involved in a war with an unknown group. Finding out who ran it was important, something they'd just accomplished. "Definitely worth a bonus…" Chie's phone rang, breaking through her thought and displaying their coordinators number. She quickly flicked it open and placed it on loud speaker.
"Chie, did you get it?" the familiar voice of Mai Tokiha came from Chie's phone. Chie grinned happily, even though she knew Mai was unable to see it. Beside her, Natsuki also smiled.
"Yeah, that guy did know… Was there any other trouble?" she enquired, knowing that even if there was she wouldn't have seen it. Mai's girlfriend, Mikoto, was an excellent fighter, more than capable of taking a few thugs. So was Akira, Mai's brother's girlfriend, for that matter. Oh yes, she liked Akira, after all it was not every day one came across a cross dressing ninja.
"A few snipers, Akira handled it," Mai replied, clearly dismissing it. Chie smiled, Mai wasn't very good at fighting, but she was an extremely good strategist and cook. Not to mention her pyrotechnic skills. If it could explode Mai knew about it.
"Stop off at Viola's mansion on the way back, tell her what you've found. She also mentioned another job, so look into that for me please," Mai stated
"Sure will Mai. Man with all this work and equipment Viola's putting our way, we'll be retiring soon," Grinned Chie, noting that Natsuki had perked up at the mention of their sometime boss's name. She mentally changed course in her head.
"You know we owe her a lot, Chie," admonished Mai, causing the gray haired girl to laugh. As if Chie ever could have forgotten what Viola had done for them, taken them all in, taken them off the streets. Helped them start the whole mercenary business, and all she asked for was a few jobs done every now and again. She even paid for those!
"Yeah Yeah, got to go Mai," She pulled into a posh area of town, driving towards the huge mansion, that was the home and headquarters of Shizuru Viola, the Purple Viper of Wind City. She snorted as they reached the drive way, her mind teetering on the edge of falling into memories of her time before she'd known Shizuru. Chie had been beaten and abused by her own father, before being sold to a rich man with tastes that wondered that way. That was where she'd met Nao.
The memory of the capricious red headed girl was enough to drag her away from her memories; just the thought of what she'd say was enough to make her smile slightly. She sighed, wondering where the girl was now, what she'd done in the eight years since they'd last seen each other. She and Nao had been like sisters, supporting each other through each horror they came across, until one day Nao was gone, without even saying good bye.
After that she'd wandered, stealing and scamming people to get by. Just another street urchin and then she'd been scouted by Maria, Shizuru's guardian, who'd died just two months ago. Then she had become the person that was here today, her natural skills honed and new skills just as sharp. They passed Viola's large well-guarded gates and pulled up to the house, their arrival dragging Chie out of her reverie for her own good.
Chie followed Natsuki into the house, where she was soon pulled into heated kiss by Shizuru Viola herself. Chie looked away, almost embarrassed, but not quite. Chie had never really been embarrassed about anything to do with sex, it was just her way. After a while, Chie decided it was just plain ridiculous for anyone to kiss for that long and coughed loudly. They broke away, Natsuki's face crimson, and a rare light blush on Shizuru's face too. Natsuki gave her best glare, but it withered hopelessly under Chie's knowing smirk. Shizuru took mercy on the girl and decided that Chie was far too smug.
"Is Chie perhaps jealous?" she pondered, causing Natsuki to eye the suddenly nervous girl suspiciously. Chie froze praying to every god in the world Shizuru would not tell Natsuki about what she had yet to reveal.
"After all, Chie it was you that stole my first kiss and my virginity," Mirth sparkled in Viola's eyes as Chie smacked her forehead in an annoyed gesture.
"EHHH," yelled Natsuki, clearly not knowing this. Chie sighed, knowing there would be an interrogation about this later. She might even end up maimed in some way. Oh the joys in life.
"You didn't know, Nee-chan," the sing-song voice of Alyssa Kruger teased. Beside her, Miyu kept up easily; ready to catch her if she fell. The sixteen year old was quite sickly, despite being a genius. Natsuki smiled softly and quickly went to her sister, nodding at Miyu.
"Spend some time with your sister, Natsuki. I'll call you when we're ready to leave," Natsuki looked at Chie with gratitude in her eyes. She rarely got to see her sister; maybe she wouldn't kill Chie later.
"Thanks," murmured Natsuki, all talk of Shizuru forgotten as she herded the two back upstairs. Behind her Shizuru sighed.
"Why the sigh, Shizuru?" asked Chie, turning as the other women began walking towards a nearby room. She hurried over, walking quickly so she could catch up.
"Sometimes I believe I'll never have her heart," she murmured. Chie shook her head, knowing that although Shizuru would never admit it, she was jealous of Alyssa.
"Don't talk like that. Natsuki loves you, but Alyssa's her sister. You're the only one whose name she cries in her sleep," stated Chie, heading off any future arguments. Silence reined as a small blush crept across Shizuru's face.
"Reito Kanzaki," Chie announced, jerking Shizuru into the present. She looked into Chie's eyes and nodded once, indicating for her to sit down. Shizuru sat opposite.
"I'm sure Mai has told you, but I require your services once more. A politician has decided to clean up Wind City by taking out the larger crime lords, which includes me. I've lost good men, numerous shipments and customers already, he needs to be stopped. He has a daughter, I want her locked in that cell beneath your offices by tomorrow night," Chie nodded, knowing that Shizuru was using them as a last ditch option. Bringing in innocents had never been her style, not to say she was soft. Viola had never seen the point in mowing down people who were entirely ignorant of the battle raged around them. To her that screamed inelegant and Shizuru Viola was nothing if not elegant.
"That's not your style, normally you'd have Akira slice his throat as he slept as warning to others, why bring in his daughter?" she asked, bluntly. Shizuru gave her an amused look.
"Very perceptive... He has had several profilers work on our techniques and mind frames; he knows I never bring innocents in. The moment his daughter vanishes he'll concentrate on the real violent ones. I'll reinforce that by demanding he stop his crusade or his daughter will disappear into the prostitution industry for life. He knows I own brothels, but he also knows everyone working there does so of their own free will. My employees are stunningly beautiful and very experienced, but you know that, don't you Chie?" A small smile played over her lips as Chie smirked at her in agreement.
"Any way, the girl in question is very attractive, but she's too young and quite shy, not my material, and I don't sell," she finished, grimacing Chie nodded.
"There is something else I want you to do as well," murmured Shizuru. Chie sensed her reluctance and leant forward, knowing that whatever Shizuru was about to suggest disgusted her.
"Dress her up for me, I have selected some articles, and then photograph her. Send the finished work to me, and one final thing Chie, touch her without her consent and I'll have you killed," Shizuru said, completely calm. Chie nodded and sat back, Shizuru would make good on that threat, as she always did.
"I may be amorous when it comes to young ladies, but I would not do that Shizuru. You should know better than to suggest I would," she met Shizuru's crimson eyes and the woman nodded in understanding.
"Forgive me, what I meant was, don't misread any signals… she may offer to win you over, or in an attempt to escape. I have been told that she's very clever and resourceful, not to mention cunning," Chie stood and nodded in understanding.
"You have a file on her, I suppose," Shizuru copied Chie's actions, picking up a file from the desk and handing it to her long time friend and ex-lover.
"The articles of clothing you mentioned…," she murmured as she went for the door.
"I'll have them loaded into the boot of your car while you go and fetch Natsuki," said Shizuru, smiling gently as she thought of her lover. Chie shook her head as she thought, "Damn Shizuru has it bad for that girl."
"No need, I'm here, what are these articles of clothing you mentioned?" Natsuki asked curiously, walking towards them. Chie handed her the file. Natsuki flicked through it before going completely red and handing it back. Chie flicked through it and almost laughed, Shizuru had included pictures of said items on models.
"I believe the clothing has been loaded into your boot, now," Shizuru stated, as a maid hurried away, having just informed her so. Chie smiled at her.
"So it would seem, bye Shizuru," She said, heading for the door. Natsuki waited until she had left for a more intimate goodbye.
The gravel crunched beneath her feet as Chie walked towards the car. Sitting in it, she sighed and ran her hand through her hair. So Shizuru was playing a completely opposite game to the one she usually played. Chie had no doubt that getting the politician off her back was not the only reason for this stunt. It would also herald the destruction of the smaller, more violent gangs. The sex market and human trafficking would to take a huge hit also. All Shizuru would need to do then, was simply take control of the underworld in Wind City.
There were only three large gangs in Wind City, the first made up of six or seven smaller gangs in a loose federation, each more suspicious of each other than outsiders. The second was run by an elite group made entirely of rich old men. The third was Shizuru's, everyone was loyal to her, not money, and every member was something more than the average thug. The door swung open and Natsuki climbed in, looking flushed. Chie tossed her the phone and chuckled.
"Phone Mai, tell her we're on our way back with the details for the next job, we need to be ready by tonight," Chie said as Natsuki nodded and hit the speed dial button, putting a call through to Mai.
Chie drove the garish colored van towards the imposing gates of the Senou manor house, smiling slightly as Natsuki grumbled about hitting yet another pothole. Mai, Akira, Mikoto, Natsuki, Miyu and Chie were set to attack the mansion, sticking with Shizuru's notion of not working as they usually did. They pulled up to the gate, the guard frowning in their direction, clearly wondering who the hell delivered late at night. She pulled out her gun and shot him as the rest jumped out to set Mai's explosives.
Soon an explosion ripped through the air as the gates were torn free. Mai and Chie switched positions and the redhead reversed away. No one needed to say anything as everything was all planned out. They charged over the lawn; as Akira moved away silently, in order to scout how many guards were ahead of them.
Five had gathered on the lawn together, while another four were heading towards the gates. Mikoto left to deal with them and Miyu pulled her guns out and quickly dispatched of the five. They continued, having almost reached the front door, when Mikoto joined them once more, gun in hand. All of them wore balaclava's and had deliberately avoided using their normal weapons, which meant Natsuki couldn't use her modified handguns, Mikoto couldn't use her swords and Akira was forbidden to employ any ninja tactics. They had also gone with improvised black uniforms, which gave the impression they were amateurs.
They quickly annihilated the guards at the door and headed up the stairs, being sure to cause as much damage as possible without putting the mission at risk. Normally they would have been in and out by now, no one knowing that they'd been there. That however would give them away. Chie booted down the door to the girl's room and ran in, quickly throwing the startled girl over her shoulder. Nearby a door burst open and someone hurtled out.
"I'm going to kill you bastards!" the new comer screamed, two knives flicking into her hands.
The girl on Chie's shoulder struggled against her grip and yelled out to the other girl, "Nao, help me."
Nao went mad, and ran towards them, only to be disarmed by Akira. No matter how good you were, Akira always seemed to be better. From Chie's shoulder the girl screamed and sobbed, prompting Natsuki to hit her quickly over the head. She fell silent and the group began a retreat from the now furious red head.
"AOI! Get back here, I'll kill you all!" Nao began to advance on them, but this time Miyu stepped in, firing at her and hitting her leg. The redhead went down on one knee, swearing and yelling in pain.
Now that Chie could get a good look at the girl, she could see it was indeed Nao. Scowling she turned to run with the others thinking, "why did she have to show up now of all times."
They continued on their way, wasting any of the guards that attacked them. As soon as they were out of the building, Mai pulled up in front of them, once again allowing Chie to take the wheel. Then they were gone, screeching away as several guards poured from the house, guns at the ready. In the backseat of the car, everyone was pumped on adrenaline, panting and grinning. Mai was securing the girl's hands behind her back. None of them had mentioned the girl was as naked as the day she was born, but Mai wrapped her jacket around her. Half-an-hour and two different vehicles later, they reached their destination: the dock-side restaurant and offices that had become their home base.
Chie lifted their prize effortlessly, and carried her inside, making sure no one saw what she was carrying. Once inside, Mai left to check on the restaurant side of their business, just a small café that was surprisingly popular. Her brother, Takumi, had taken Mai's usual shift, so it was natural for her to check on him. Akira followed her, also wanting to check on him.
Mikoto crashed on the sofa, Miyu immediately stated she had to leave, and Natsuki offered to go with her. As the other two left, Chie hauled their captive into the reinforced cell they had in the basement. She made sure the girl's hands were still secure and then cuffed her feet together. Chie left the girl on the bed, still sleeping off Natsuki's blow.
Mai had quickly banished her brother from the kitchen and began cooking. Akane and Kazuya ferried the culinary delights she had created back and forth. At some point, Mikoto reawakened and wandered in, immediately being given a bowl of Mai's special ramen. Chie also came in, receiving the same treatment as Mikoto. The two were seated in the area behind the kitchen, eating noodles, and watching the television in silence. Takumi had collected two bowls of ramen from her and had raced back upstairs, no doubt to fuss over Akira.
"Mai, we'll lock up tonight, you get some rest," offered Akane as her boyfriend cleaned up. Mai smiled gratefully at them but declined, staying and helping them. Mikoto and Chie offered to help, but Mai said no. Mikoto would cause more harm than good and Chie was offering because she wanted to flirt with Akane: The Home Wrecker.
"You should get some sleep too, Chie," Mai murmured as she seized Mikoto's arm and dragged her towards their room. Chie nodded, feeling out of sorts and entered her room. She lay down on her bed and sighed as her thoughts turned to Nao.
"So Nao is back, huh. It won't be long until she is on the streets looking for that Aoi girl, she wouldn't stop searching," Chie smiled slightly, that was just Nao's nature, she didn't let go. Maybe this would be a good time to renew their acquaintance. Or not, Nao wasn't stupid and jeopardizing their deal with Viola would probably have fatal results. Slowly sleep weighed her thoughts down and Chie fell asleep, still in her jeans and shirt.
So what do you guys think?
Loki Lyon