"HA! HA! WHEW – Whoooff – FUCK Yeah! I did it! I – DID – IT! You saw me do it! I BEAT HER! I WON!" rasped an exhausted Kouta, through ragged wheezing gasps.
Ayane hung slack. She was bucking and convulsing slightly, while a bright trickle of blood started spilling from her mouth, falling to patter on the floor, between her feet below.
Kouta weakly threw the shattered bat handle in the air as he staggered a few steps to one side. He could feel his pulse thumping in his head and he fought to stay balanced and get his vision back as a black mosaic of dark tiles began to crowd out his sight. Taking one of his hands off his knees, he waved and pointed to the bloody canvas.
"Haaaaa, whew! Hey, I'm a fuckin' artistic genius – huff – too! Whoof! Fuck -! I'll admit it took a little work, but I really like how it came out…"
Bending over again to catch his breath, Kouta continued to heave and gasp. His bloodshot eyes widened as he saw Haruka, saunter up to where Ayane hung trembling. Haruka grinned like a wolf as he watched her dangle on the end of the chains that were now her sole means of support.
"Kouta… I know what your little painting needs now..." he said.
He took Ayane by the hair and lifted her head up to face him as he balled up his fist.
"Now you know what happens when you try to get cute with the Yakuza, punk. First you get fucked… and then you get DEAD."
Haruka swung with all his might, striking her in the side of the head. However, Ayane twisted with incredible speed and timing, to roll with the punch at the last instant, causing what would have been a death-blow to only leave her momentarily stunned.
The strike from Haruka was still a powerful one and produced an arc of blood that shot from her mouth across the hideous canvas.
"Whoa – hey! Hhh-Hold on! Hhar – Haruka – no head shots yet!" Kouta slurred, still weaving and swaying with his hands on his knees.
Haruka, a professional killer, wasn't there to play around. He was furious that Ayane was able to partially slip what should have been a lethal blow.
"You used up little piece of SHIT! You just don't know when to quit do you?! Well let's see you slither out of THIS!"
Haruka's hands shook with rage as he fixed a heavy set of brass knuckles to his right fist. Then making no mistakes, he carefully tilted Ayane's head up, gripping her roughly by the chin. Slowly Haruka turned his stunned victim's head towards the camera. He touched his steel-clad fist solidly to the bridge of Ayane's nose – then drew back carefully - measuring the next blow; aiming to smash in her face.
"Come on Ayane let's see a big, sweet smile for all your fans… Better hurry while you still have that cute little face..."
Ayane could only stare in wonder. Blinking, she strove to clear her vision. She wanted to see it coming as she thought with some relief.
At least… at least it ends now.
Kouta, finally forced himself to move and interceded just in time.
"HARUKA! Whoa – WHOA – Hey hey STOP! Take it easy you stupid fuh-fuck! Remember whew – who's in charge here! No head shots yet! Huff – I want her to be aware of what's happening when we rip her apart. This little slut is going to be broken first – then you can do whatever the fuck you want with her! Got it? GOT IT!?"
"Sorry boss…" Haruka said sullenly, "…I just follow orders. Hayashi and Kasumi said to kill her...right away… But… hey – they're not here now and you're in charge. So, yeah… yeah, I 'got it'… just let me know when it's my turn with her."
Then he shrugged and walked back to join his men.
Though Ayane's eyes still burned with intensity, the blow from Haruka, was causing her difficulty holding her head up now. Blood was running out of her mouth and nose, spilling down her ravaged torso and legs as a visibly fatigued Kouta strutted drunkenly around pointing at her as he shouted to his audience.
"Ha! Whew! Shit – SO… THIS is Ayane - the fearsome kunoichi!? LOOK at her! Are you all SEEING this?! Hey, Ayane – you aren't SHIT to me – are you?!"
He slapped the back of her bowed head hard to get her attention. She tried with all her strength to raise her chin off of her chest to face him, but the room spun, blood choked her and Ayane's head sank back down…
"ARE YOU?"
He smacked her again harder causing bright light to flash across her vision, as he continued.
"You tried to stand up to me… ME – KOUTA – didn't you!? But when it came right down to a FAIR contest that involved REAL strength, you don't have what it takes to stand up to me, do you?"
"DO YOU!?"
This time he slugged Ayane with all his might in her pulverized and defenseless gut, lifting her off her blood-stained feet, causing a brief sharp yelp of pain to escape her otherwise stoic demeanor as the assembled gangsters jeered and clapped.
"LISTEN TO HER! DID YOU HEAR THAT?! DID YOU HEAR THAT?! Bitch is whining like a whipped pup!"
Then turning back to Ayane, Kouta continued to mock and goad her as she squeezed her eyes closed against the burning agony, trying to control it.
"Feel that!? Now THAT'S how you throw a REAL punch! I thought you were supposed to be some bull-shit master ninja – but you're all SHOW, aren't you? Just a pretender in a sexy leather suit! You were only able to get lucky for so long, before I beat you down and the inevitable, sniveling little weakling, came out! Now EVERYONE can see that the BETTER WARRIOR – KOUTA – HAS WON!"
With a rattle of chains he roughly kicked her legs out from under her, causing Ayane to swing from her manacles. He joined his men as they laughed, then pointed at her with a fat, hairy finger. Although he was exhausted, Kouta continued to mock and goad his captive as he staggered and gulped for air.
"Look at you – you're no big warrior! HA! Why you can't even fucking stand! Now we FINALLY see the truth! When you tried to take ME on – straight up – one on one, you couldn't hack it! When your tricky little gadgets and flowery weapons were stripped away, you just collapsed – like the yelping little fuck-toy you are!"
Kouta grabbed a fistful of her fouled and matted hair and wrenching her head up, cranked it roughly around to face the camera.
"SO – tell our viewers – dead girl… how does it feel to be the property of a superior warrior?!"
Blood began to bubble up and stream from her mouth, but her eyes were undimmed. She looked past the camera at the large mirror that was hanging on the opposite wall. In it, she could clearly see herself suspended by the chains alongside Kouta who was gripping her by the hair. But next to him – there was a group of – she blinked in disbelief but they were still there!
Chi – are… are those – Children?!
Ayane's eyes flitted off to the side towards Kouta but they weren't there – it was just him smiling wickedly down at her – waiting for his answer – however, when Ayane turned her gaze back to the mirror –
There ARE children! In little white dresses and suits… like they are going to a picnic or a garden party. Standing all around him – but he doesn't – why doesn't he seem to notice them touching and stroking him? They… they are so beautiful.
Then all at once they turned their angelic faces up to look at Kouta and smiled. Ayane's blood turned to ice.
OH GODS! THEIR EYES – THEIR TEETH!
Her mind reeled in terror and she squeezed her eyes shut as she realized what she was seeing. Slowly she opened them again. The children were gone from the mirror. Ayane lifted her gaze to meet Kouta's and locked there.
Suddenly, Ayane knew what to say.
She looked deeply into Kouta's bloodshot eyes and found the most vulnerable corner of his being as she gurgled her reply. The knowledge of what she had seen made her voice shudder as the blood ran down her chin.
"K-Kouta. You hhkk – had b-better PRAY – I die. Because… if I – get free… I will come for you… and you will know… HELL…"
A chill seemed to shoot through the whole gallery and everyone's attention was riveted by Ayane's haunting words as she continued.
"Kouta… it is hhk-horrible – they want you… they want to… play with youUHNNGH!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU STUPID BITCH-WHORE!"
Kouta violently struck then shoved Ayane's head away as if it was deadly poison. In a panic, he turned and almost ran for the door. Then, realizing she was chained and that his men as well as the unblinking eye of the camera were watching him closely, paused.
It's okay… I'm safe. I'm safe and she's chained and there's NO WAY she can get to me. I'm in control here - not her... Me!
Wanting to show his crew he was in command of the situation, Kouta forced out a sneering, mocking laugh. But it sounded hollow – thin and uncertain. He looked around the room at his men. Some of them laughed weakly with him. Most were just standing and staring, momentarily captivated by the intensity of her powerful statement.
Kouta could feel his blood pumping hard in his temples making is vision blur. His heart was still racing too, at dangerous levels. Although large and powerful, his flabby frame was utterly drained from the beating he had just given to Ayane, and he was dangerously close to collapsing. But before resting up, he wanted to show his men he wasn't weak… or afraid. He decided on one more act of bravado before he took that much needed break.
Reaching out, he grabbed her viciously by the throat with both of his thick, hairy hands and lifted her bodily off of her feet to the howls and whooping applause of his men. Only Ayane's powerful neck muscles kept her spine from snapping as he shook her.
"Hahahaha whatta disgusting mess we made out of this little slut! She's finished! I can do anything I want with her! C'mon Ayane! Cough me up some more PAINT!"
Intoxicated by the adulation of his men, Kouta became caught up in the moment and exerted every ounce of force he had left to keep Ayane off her feet, while he continued to choke her.
As his men cheered and laughed, he squeezed her throat as he began to knee her savagely in the stomach, forcing thick blood and bile to rise up and stream down her chin and over his huge hands.
"Spit it up! Come on – SPIT IT UP!"
Only the whites of her eyes were now showing, as sparks began shooting through her darkened mind.
This… could be… it. I'm sorry… Ryu… I wasn't strong… enough – I'm so… sorry… I love -
Kouta noticed Ayane was starting to shudder. The gurgling had turned into a rattle and he realized he was killing her. Immediately he loosened his grip and released her throat allowing her to drop to the ground. Knees sagging, she swung limply suspended by her wrists, heaving and gulping as oxygen slowly returned to her brain in short pain filled gasps.
Kouta pulled her head close to his scarred face so only she could hear. His breath reeked of stale alcohol and she could feel his wet lips and sharp golden teeth on her ear as well as the intense heat radiating from his flushed face as he hissed.
"Oh no you don't! You won't be getting of THAT easy - you're gonna stay right here with us, fuck toy. There's A LOT more work we still need to do with you."
Ayane's vision was slowly returning and she could feel Kouta's hands as he brutally twisted her head to face him. He leered horribly and despite the confidence in his voice, Ayane could see the veins pulsing in his neck and temples from the exertion. She could tell he was in serious physical distress.
"Oh, you're gonna die here alright, but it will be slow...painful... and not until I SAY…"
He smiled showing his gold teeth –
"AND Ayane, you're gonna have to earn it. I'm gonna MAKE you BEG for death. We'll start by tearin' souvenirs off of ya – I want this little ear… for instance."
Licking the blood that trickled from it, he whispered, "…and I'll be sure to make you feel it when I slooooowly rip it off your pretty little purple head."
Then raising his voice so everyone in the room could hear he continued.
"Do you hear that everyone?! This bitch doesn't get to die until she crawls to ME on her hands and knees! On camera – in front of all of us and BEGS to lick my boots clean!"
Kouta wanted to get his strength back for the next session. He felt dizzy and nauseous, his heart was palpitating and his vision was blurring, and before the excitement of tearing Ayane apart began – he knew he had to rest.
"We'll be back in an hour or so to start jerking pieces off of you. EVERYONE wants a little something… Ayane, I won't lie – it's gonna get really brutal, ugly and primitive. So, you can spend this next hour wondering which piece we'll tear off of you first – and finally… which piece will rip the first real screams outta you!"
As her vision began to clear, Ayane fixed her eyes back on Kouta. She struggled with all her might to stop the tremors and stand. Fighting to stay conscious, Ayane focused on her primary adversary and watched him walk over to the group. He looked back at her over his shoulder and made a crude gesture. He said something to the men that made them all leer at her, nod and laugh.
Then Kouta turned to his number two and gave him a huge knife, saying:
"Haruka, stay with your crew and watch her until we get back with the tools. When we're all done taking what we want from her – and my boots are nice and clean – THEN you can have her. Now listen – I want you to be creative when you do her – make it really last."
Haruka looked over at Ayane as he thumbed the edge of his knife and smiled.
"Sure boss – that won't be a problem… I can just tell by the look in her eyes that she's still got some gas in the tank. It'll take a good long time to finish her. Even after the whimpering and pleading starts, I'll still have to work on her all night and probably most of the next day, before this tough little fuck gives it up."
Then expertly spinning the lethal blade on his palm, he flipped the knife and caught it smartly by the handle and flicked it into the table next to him. As the knife quivered there, he looked up at Kouta.
"Ayane's in amazing shape – which means she'll last a while. You'd be surprised at how much more sick, violent shit we can do to someone with her conditioning and training."
"Good." said Kouta.
Then turning to the group of yakuza assembled around Haruka, Kouta gave his parting instructions.
"We're playing this one smart – So listen up bitches. I want all nine of you to stay in here with Haruka. I am taking NO chances with this sneaky little shit-fuck. Line the walls and watch her from every goddamn mutha-fuckin' angle. Don't fucking talk to her, don't go near her, don't listen to any of her bullshit. If she fucking moves funny or does any-fucking-thing other than fucking bleed – fucking stop her and then call me immediately!"
Crossing back over to Ayane, he sniffed long and hard until he was snorting deeply. Then reversing the motion he hawked up a huge, thick mouthful of snot, phlegm and heavy mucus. Smiling, he let her see it before spitting it right into the center of her face, splattering thick ropey strands across her nose, cheek and over her left eye up into her hair.
"Huff… huh – looks good on you…Just a little something so you don't miss me while I'm gone. Oh, and before I forget…"
Without warning, he spun around smashed his knee with incredible force, directly into her groin. There was a crunching sound as her pelvis fractured and Ayane let out a huge, resounding cry of primal agony that filled hall mixing with the whoops and cheers from Kouta's and Haruka's men.
"YEAH! Nice one Kouta! How does that feel you ninja bitch!?"
"Ha! Look at her flop and jerk around like a fucking fish! You totally showed her who the better warrior is Kouta!"
"NICE SHOT Kouta! Hey Ayane - I thought you were supposed to be tough?!"
"Ooooh! Does it hurt Ayane? Does it hurt!? AAAWWW! Hahahaha!"
"SHE WET HERSELF! AYANE WET HERSELF!"
"Yeah look! Bitch is pissing all over the floor like a fucking PIG! Ahhh hahahaha!"
Laughing and gloating and basking in the adulation of his crew, Kouta watched her struggle and thrash in pain as her ruptured bladder gave way. Finally, Ayane bent forward, groaning, unable to control the retching reflex. She gagged and her stomach spun as she retched up a huge spray of pink foam all over the canvas. The rest cascaded over her legs and onto the floor, pooling at her feet.
"TEXTURE!"
Exclaimed Kouta with a red-faced wheeze. His arms spread wide at the newly adorned canvas as he mugged for his laughing and applauding crew.
"That's what was missing! You know – I really like what this piece is starting to say. All I need now is the right frame – then it's going up on the wall."
As he staggered out supported by his men, he went on in an affable tone.
"I – huff – I suh…swear to God – I think I have real gift! This is getting – HUFF – way too easy!"
Then, looking back at Ayane as she hung limply from her manacles, he smiled broadly. She was shuddering uncontrollably and making soft, rhythmic grunting noises. He gestured dismissively in her direction and spit.
"But I shouldn't give myself too much credit, after all, she's just a fucking joke – a silly little disposable party favor! Stupid loser actually thought she had what it took go up against someone like me!"
Chortling with self-satisfaction, he used the last of his remaining strength to shove the men who were assisting him away.
"Fuck you guys – I can – uff – walk myself! I'm barely winded – she was nuh-NOTHING!"
Then, followed closely by his crew, he swaggered off under his own power to get some much-needed rest, leaving Haruka's group to guard Ayane in the in the gallery.
