Chapter 11

Kaoru had just finished lunch, sitting with Enishi and Mei, when the girl sprung an unexpected invitation on her.

"Last night, at the dinner, one of our clients gave me several tickets to a play," she said, sipping at her tea. "Would you like to come with me, Kaoru? The tickets are for the women's section of the theater, so I can't ask anybody else to come with me except you and Soong An."

"A play?" Kaoru echoed, remembering the few times she had been lucky enough to watch some local plays in Tokyo.

Mei nodded. "It's in English. I don't know much English myself, but the production is supposed to be good and is worth seeing even if we can't understand every word. Besides, we do already have the tickets." She handed Kaoru a flyer which had a picture of a man and woman dressed in western attire, posing in front of a ship. "I think it's a love story."

Kaoru looked at the flyer while Enishi glanced at it from beside her. "It is," he confirmed, his tone suggesting that he found the entire concept ridiculous. "I will be busy preparing for my excursion tomorrow. You can have the night out if you wish."

Kaoru considered this. She was tentative about spending the night in town without Enishi, he was the one thing that made her feel secure, but she also didn't want to be fully dependent on him, hanging onto him every time he was there and moping around the house whenever he had to go out to do his work. She was surprised that he would let her go off as well, but then she had to remind herself that she was not joined at the hip with him.

"Then I will join you," she said to Mei, smiling. "I have seen some plays when I was in Japan but this looks like an elaborate production."

"It's by an English company that tours the world," Enishi said, still studying the flyer. "They will only be in Shanghai for three weeks."

"Excellent," Mei said. "We can have dinner there before we go into the theater."

Later, when they were alone in his house, she asked Enishi about it. "You're not worried about me going into town without you?"

He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "You will be with Mei, she knows how to look after guests. I have already given Soong An stern warning about treating you well so you will have no problems with her either. You've had me for company for more than a month, I think you would appreciate being with other people as well."

"Are you tired of my company?" she teased him.

"Only as much as you're tired of mine," he said, smirking.

She shook her head, smiling. "I'm not, but I do miss talking to girl friends."

"Even if it is Soong An?" he asked, raising an eyebrow doubtfully.

"We will see," she said gamely.

"Well, I trust you know how to deal with it," he said, folding up the paper and tossing it onto his desk. "You're not exactly a pushover."

He walked over to her and handed her a coin purse with a good deal of Chinese money in it. "Knowing Mei, since she is the one who orchestrated this evening's events, she would be paying for everything. But this is so you have something with you as well, just in case."

By the time Kaoru was sitting at the restaurant across the theater with Mei and Soong An, she had more than enough times to remind herself that she was no pushover as Enishi had said. Mei was pleasant company, but the haughty face of Soong An sitting across the table from her seemed to tell her that she had no place in Shanghai. However, the swordswoman refrained from saying anything offensive to her so Kaoru just decided to enjoy the evening as best as she can. Mei was engaging enough, and she liked hearing the older girl's stories about growing up in the organization.

She was surprised to learn that, being almost the same age, Mei and Enishi had grown up together. "We did," Mei confirmed. "He came to us about ten years ago, I was learning medicine from the organization's resident physician at that time. Enishi was hired by my father to be my bodyguard but he proved to be good with money and people so he ended up having more work than just protecting me. My father thought it was a waste of time not to use his talents."

"He is very skillful," Kaoru agreed.

"It's not just skill, it's his attitude," Mei said somewhat thoughtfully. "He just knows what to do in order to get what he wants. I don't think I've ever seen him at a loss. His departure from the organization will be a big deal to father."

"Surely there are other people to step up?" Kaoru asked.

Soong An nodded her head at this. "It would either be Lei or Mei."

Mei giggled. "Father even had this idea once to marry me off to him to seal the future of the syndicate but Enishi immediately put his foot down. I had to refuse as well- I can't marry if it's not for love. Father probably thinks the organization is doomed."

"If you keep thinking that way, then it is indeed doomed," Soong An admonished her. "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the good of the organization."

"Like the sacrifices you make?" Mei asked Soong An. "I'm not ready to do those kinds of things."

Kaoru looked curiously at Soong An, and Mei explained. "Soong An has had to refuse potential husbands because of her work with the syndicate. In fact, when she came to us, she was almost engaged, but she had to break it off because the man was a writer and he couldn't be trusted enough to be brought into syndicate affairs."

Kaoru's eyes widened, and in spite of herself, felt sorry for the girl. Soong An shrugged. "If he had exposed me and the organization, I would have gone to prison, and the syndicate would have been compromised. Syndicate matters stay within the syndicate, so you should be thankful for the leniency Ming has shown you, Kaoru."

"Well, Kaoru hasn't threatened us," Mei said, nodding to Kaoru. "And I don't think Enishi would just allow her to be killed. Honestly, Kaoru, I'm surprised he allowed you out of his sight tonight."

"I think he understands how lonely it is for me to always be at the house," Kaoru said.

"It would be boring, since you have no other work to do," Mei murmured. "The rest of us, we all have our jobs to keep us occupied, but not you. If you want something to do, you can join me tomorrow. I have to see several deliveries of medicine to a few clinics at the outskirts of the city."

"I might join you," Kaoru said, knowing that Enishi will be out the entire day anyway.

Mei nodded happily. "Good. It's so boring to go around by myself. Soong An is meeting some of our intelligence operators for lunch and cannot come with me. Jiao is still busy trying to salvage whatever assets we have left at Paoxing. Yuan and Cheng are busy with their own divisions. At least the silk and tea trade are doing well."

"I haven't met Jiao yet," Kaoru said.

"Oh, he doesn't like meeting people," Mei said. "His face was scarred badly when he got caught in an accident when he was mixing drugs. He doesn't show himself unless necessary."

"Your organization is full of interesting people," Kaoru said.

"It takes a lot of effort to keep it running, but we do work well together," Mei said. "Do you have family left in Japan?"

"No, my father died when I was young, and I was raised by my godfather. I have some close friends, though, that are like family to me."

"I suppose that is what happens when you don't have real family, your friends become your family," Mei said. She nodded towards Soong An. "Most of us in the organization have lost our families as well, and though we do not seem to, we do consider each other as family. You've been in Shanghai for a week, Kaoru, but I see you are important to Enishi. For this reason, please consider yourself a part of our family as well."

Kaoru practically blushed at Mei's graciousness, especially since she was only carrying on a show with Enishi. "Thank you," she murmured. "I do appreciate your kindness."

"A lot of people think that we in the syndicate are unscrupulous and immoral," Mei said. "Perhaps they are justified to think so, since we do deal with arms and drugs. But we do follow some code of honor as well. We respect our seniors, and we protect each other."

They finished their dinner and the three of them strolled to the theater across the street. There was a long queue at the door, but when the doorman saw Mei standing at the sidewalk, he waved for them to go through. Kaoru fought off the smirk trying to break across her face. Apparently being in the company of the underground's first lady did have some advantages, sometimes.

"Good evening, Miss Mei," the man said. "I did not know you would be watching tonight."

Mei handed him the tickets. "I was given these tickets to the women's section."

"It's right at the front row, just walk along the aisle and someone else will assist you once you are inside."

Mei thanked him, and the three of them entered the darkened theater. "That is Gongli," she told Kaoru. "I watch theater a lot so he knows me by now."

They took their seats, and Kaoru watched as more people filed inside to fill up the rest of the theater. After a few minutes, the lights dimmed further, and the play began. There was a live orchestra accompanying the actors, and while Kaoru couldn't understand the English dialogue, she was nevertheless mesmerized by the lights and the music. Two hours later, the play reached its conclusion, and when the lights came back on, Kaoru saw that Mei was laughing silently.

"What is it?" she asked, thinking if the play had ended on a happy note. She doubted it. It was a love story that ended up with the lovers eloping and getting themselves killed. Of course it was worse for her. They ended up with the girl falling overboard the ship and the man trying to save her unsuccessfully.

"I didn't understand what they were saying, but it seems stupid to get yourself killed while eloping," the girl said.

Kaoru laughed as well. "I suppose sometimes, life could be so tragic."

Even Soong An looked amused. "Life is tragic enough. Plays should have happier endings for those of us who need it once in a while."

They exited the theater, and when they searched for their carriage, Mei gave another laugh. "Well, it was nice of the boys to come and fetch us."

Kaoru followed her eyes and saw Enishi right beside their carriage, standing straight with his arms crossed, with Lei sitting at the driver's seat. "Maybe it's because the play finished really late," she said.

"It's just nearing midnight," Mei said, glancing at the watch she was carrying. "I was hoping to buy some snacks on the way home."

They approached the two men and Kaoru looked up at Enishi. "We weren't expecting you," she said.

"It's late," he said, opening the door for her and helping her get inside. He waited for Mei and Soong An to climb in before closing the door behind them, walking to the front to ride with Lei.

"He was actually being a gentleman," Soong An muttered, and Kaoru remembered the way Enishi had manhandled Soong An days before.

"I know," Mei said. "He never opened doors for us before."

The carriage began to move, and when they were riding along at a comfortable pace, Mei slid the window open and called out. "Lei, I want to stop by a store to buy some snacks."

There was a pause, and Kaoru could hear Lei and Enishi talking outside. Then Lei called back. "Enishi says it's too late."

Mei sat back, scowling prettily. Kaoru smiled, remembering what Mei said about them being like a family. It reminded her of her own set of friends. Wanting to help the girl out, she touched Mei's knee. "Tell Lei we want to buy some chocolates."

Mei leaned out the window again. "We want to buy some chocolates!"

There was another pause, and Kaoru felt the carriage change direction. "Fine, but Enishi says to make it quick."

Mei slid the window shut, satisfied. "Well, I never would have believed it, but I've actually seen it."

Kaoru raised her eyebrows. "Believe what?"

Mei smiled broadly. "The tiger has been tamed."


Enishi buttoned up his jacket and checked his watou, glancing at Kaoru who was still sleeping in bed. It was not even five in the morning, but he did want to travel in the darkness so he had to settle for four hours of sleep. He wondered if he should wake Kaoru, but knowing she had an equally late night as him, decided against it.

Too bad, I could do with another kiss, he thought smugly, his hand on the doorknob.

Just as he was about to turn the knob, Kaoru stirred, and he looked back at her, waiting to see if she would wake. When her eyes remained closed, he sighed quietly. Making up his mind, he went to the writing desk, getting a piece of paper and writing a note to Kaoru telling her he was going without waking her up. It felt odd since she knew he was going early anyway, but he didn't feel right just leaving her without any word. He left the note beside the bag of chocolates she had bought the previous night, where he knew she would see it.

He met Lei outside the brothel, and the two of them mounted their horses and rode southwards. Neither of them spoke, not requiring the small talk that some people found comfortable. To them, it was just another day at work.

They reached the outskirts of Tongli and they stepped off the path, tying up their horses behind some trees where they would remain hidden. Enishi slung his watou over his shoulder while Lei checked his sword by his side. Enishi also got a scope from his saddlebag, wanting to take a look from a distance. The last thing he wanted was to be caught by the ninjas.

"The cave lies near the river delta," Enishi said. "There is a ridge right across the river where we can take a good look at the entrance."

"What do you hope to find, anyway?" Lei asked, following Enishi as he led the way. "Mei's people already explored the area."

Enishi climbed the ridge, lying down flat on his stomach so that his silhouette was hidden. He put the scope up to his eye and focused on the cave entrance. He didn't know exactly what he had hoped to find, but he didn't want to rely on intelligence without seeing the place himself beforehand.

"I wanted to see the place for myself because I know we will be going in to fight," Enishi said. "The cave's entrance is small, and judging from the terrain surrounding it, the place would be cramped, unless they have dug underground to find more space. It will be dark, and that works to their advantage."

"Yes, ninjas rely on sabotage and subterfuge," Lei said, lying down belly flat on the ground like Enishi. "How many did you say we are expecting?"

"Around forty, I suppose," Enishi said.

"I can easily mobilize fifty men for the attack," Lei said. "We have more than enough firearms."

Enishi considered this. "Ninjas can kill from twenty paces away with their projectiles, but if up against guns, I doubt they can do much." Perhaps he was worrying too much about this. "Have two boats ready as well. They are right by the river. We might need to pursue some of them off land."

He focused the scope on the foliage around the cave entrance. Most of the grass had been flattened, indicating that there had been a lot of traffic going back and forth. Other than that, there were no other signs that there were people in the area. He put down the scope and studied the landscape before him, his eyes narrowing in focus.

"Enishi, why are we even doing this scouting? You don't do this kind of thing." Lei looked at his senior closely. "What are you really thinking?"

Enishi gripped the scope in his hands. "This trouble started after I left for Japan. I have been thinking if it has something to do with that."

"Is it because these ninjas are from Japan?" Lei asked.

He nodded. "How could they know about the syndicate? I have only started to contact potential clients and suppliers there, and setting up a series of safehouses. I haven't started business yet."

"They could only know about the syndicate if someone had told them," Lei said.

"The only people who knew I would be going away are the seniors," Enishi said.

Lei looked uncomfortable. "Enishi, if you are saying that someone in the inner circle is responsible for all this… You know Ming hates it when we have internal tiffs. And everyone who has been accepted into the senior rank has proven himself loyal."

"Where is Jiao?" Enishi asked, his voice rigid. "I have been here a week and I have yet to see him. I find it unusual he's not around considering it's his division that is having this problem."

"Jiao is our boots on the ground. He's been splitting his time going around all our drug dens," Lei said. "You know Jiao hates hanging out at the compound. Do you suspect him?"

"Yes," Enishi said. "And Heishin."

Lei chuckled. "You have always hated Heishin. I sometimes wonder why Ming put you to work with him as your partner."

"Because that piece of shit lacks any semblance of strength or force that he needs me to compensate for it," Enishi said. "Heishin is intelligent, though. I only suspect him because these ninjas are from Japan. But…"

"What?"

"I already told Heishin that he will take over my assets when I leave the syndicate, so he stands to double his money. I don't see any reason why he would move to destabilize the syndicate, because if the syndicate goes down, so does his money, and it's a lot of money."

"I would advise against putting these thoughts before Ming until you have more evidence," Lei said.

"As for evidence….."

"What are you planning to do?" Lei asked a little nervously.

"I'm going to look at Heishin's and Jiao's bank accounts tomorrow."

Lei chuckled. "I'm not even going to ask how you're going to manage that, as bank accounts are private."

"I've done it before,"Enishi muttered.

They sat there for another hour, during which they saw two men go out of the cave only to return after half an hour with some packages, which were probably their food for the day. After waiting a few more minutes, Enishi admitted to himself that it was beginning to look like a waste of time. He folded up the scope and replaced it in its case.

"Let's head back," he said.

"Good, I'm starting to feel hungry," Lei said. "It's almost lunch time."

They rode back to the compound, and when Enishi reached his house, he was surprised to find it as empty as the bag of chocolates Kaoru had bought last night.

She has such a sweet tooth, he thought, seeing a note on his desk with Kaoru's neat writing, telling him that she had gone out with Mei. Out with Mei? Probably doing deliveries.

For the second time, Enishi was left at home while Kaoru was doing something. He didn't mind, though. When he had first taken her to Shanghai, he was uncertain of how the organization was going to receive her and how she was going to acceptthe fact that she would be living with members of the Chinese underground. Now that things have somewhat settled down for both of them, he knew Kaoru would be able to handle herself without being permanently latched on to him and he knew the organization tolerated her presence and did not see her as a threat.

He made his way to the main house at the back of the compound. Having skipped breakfast earlier, he was hungry for lunch. He strode into the dining hall and found Ming there. He sat down at Ming's right, his usual seat, and helped himself to lunch.

"How was your trip this morning?" Ming asked.

"It was fruitless," he answered, not bothering to mention his suspicions. Until he had something more solid to go on with, he wasn't going to bother Ming with it. "Lei is confident we have superior arms so taking them down shouldn't be a problem."

"That is what I thought," Ming said, sipping his glass of red wine. "We will be having a meeting tonight in the library to listen to my daughter's report. We might be able to make a move in two days."

Enishi nodded. Tomorrow he was going to the bank to view Heishin and Jiao's accounts. From experience, Enishi knew it was easy to hide a paper trail, but there was always a money trail to uncover in every situation. In their business, it was impossible to move without moving money as well. It would probably take him all morning to finish his business at the bank, and then he would have the afternoon to get in a few hours of training.

After lunch, he decided to put in some hours worth of practice. He saw that Lei and Soong An were also in the training area, but he gave them no notice as he stripped off his top, hanging it on the branch of one tree before unwrapping his watou. He gripped the sword with his right hand, turning his wrist, testing his flexibility. He went through some katas, feeling the control he had over his entire body. He was only dimly aware of Lei and Soong An sparring with each other at the other end of the clearing.

He trained for a few hours, and only when he felt the sun start to go down over the horizon did he stop. He sheathed his sword, looking at the clearing. Lei and Soong An had long gone, Soong An probably preparing her report for that night's meeting. He walked back to his house, noting with irritation that Kaoru has not come back yet.

She was already out until late last night, and now she's out again the whole day, he thought, throwing his dirty shirt into the laundry basket and stalking to the kitchen to heat some water for a bath, shoving the kettle onto the fire, not knowing why he felt so cross.

He dropped onto the bed while waiting for his water to heat up, not noticing his exhaustion catch up with him as he nodded off to sleep.

End of chapter.


Note: Sorry for the long break. Work came up. ^^ Thank you for all your reviews!