A/N - I do not own these characters.

Chapter 15

"Who are you, really?"

Yumi's smile disappeared as she faced Novia. Other than being part of the family that was threatening Sachiko, Novia had done nothing herself that Yumi felt negative about. It was obvious that she played the game, antagonizing her brother to keep up appearances. However, despite that, Yumi could tell the woman wanted out. Did that mean she could fully trust her though? Could she reveal her secrets?

Behind them, Pirro worked quickly and quietly to move all the unconscious men to another room. He didn't look their way, clearly trusting Novia to handle Yumi herself.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Yumi said jokingly with a nervous chuckle. "Don't all adopted daughters of well-off families know karate?"

Crossing her arms over her chest, Novia looked far from amused. "There has been something off about you from the start. My idiot brother didn't see it, of course, but I've been watching you closely."

"And what have I done, exactly?"

Motioning to the unconscious bodies around them Novia commented, "Aside from the obvious? It's more like what you didn't do. You didn't cry. You didn't ask for help." Taking a step closer, she emphasized this with a finger to Yumi's chest. "Not once did you ask for anyone to help you. Do you think a normal teenage girl would act as calmly as you have?" Novia scoffed. "Of course I noticed there was something off about you! It was like you were prepared for this and knew we were coming."

Yumi didn't respond, but in remaining quiet she also did not deny Novia's claims.

With a confident smirk, Novia leaned back against the bulkhead. "If you knew we were coming and were prepared for it, then logic would dictate that you'd have an escape or a rescue planned." Snapping her fingers she pointed at her again, this time with an excited grin. "That's it isn't it? You haven't panicked in the slightest because you knew you had a rescue coming, right?"

Sighing heavily, Yumi knew there was no hiding it any longer. "Well, not exactly." She took the opportunity to glare at Novia. "You see, we didn't anticipate you hiding me away at sea. I'm not sure if they can find me out here."

"That's why you said you'd help us if we got you to shore," Novia commented, nodding her head in understanding. "So then, just to be clear, you aren't Ogasawara Yumi?"

"No, I'm Fukuzawa Yumi. I'm a… dear friend of Sachiko's and her bo- bodyguard. My only goal in all of this was to protect her." It was actually a relief to have admitted the truth to Novia. In all honesty, she hated lying and knew she was horrible at it.

Novia narrowed her eyes as if trying to puzzle through a complicated thought. "A dear friend, huh?"

Unnerved by the look in her eye, Yumi took a step back. "Yes, what of it? Having good friends is normal."

"Yeah, but having friends willing to sacrifice their own lives for your safety is not." Novia cocked her head to the side. "People often talk a big game, but when it comes down to it very few would take the chance you are taking."

"Well, I guess I'm one of those few." Yumi shrugged, wanting to put this topic aside and move on. Novia wasn't done though.

"Apparently so. That or you have more invested in Ogasawara Sachiko than a normal friend would."

"She's my Onee-sama at the school we both attend. We are very close. What does it matter though?" This was the first time someone outside of their circle of friends had questioned her about Sachiko. It was making her far more nervous than she thought it would.

"It matters." Novia stated simply. Looking over her shoulder toward Pirro her face softened. "I would give anything for that man. He looks like a big brute, but he actually has the softest most tender heart you could imagine. For him, I'd sacrifice anything to see him free of this life. He deserves a peaceful life; the life that was stolen from him simply by meeting me." Turning back to Yumi, a sad glint in her eyes, she continued. "I've risked my life getting us to this point. I'd go a step further and give my life if it meant he'd be free. That's not just friendship, Yumi. That's love."

Yumi swallowed hard. "Y-You're right. It is love."

Novia's eyes searched Yumi's and understanding gleamed back at her. With a casual grin, she nodded and pushed off the wall. "Then we both have much to lose if this goes poorly."

Thankful that Novia had taken her words as an admission and not pressed for more, Yumi nodded in agreement. The screech of another door being closed and locked into place drew her attention to Pirro. "Those guys, is that all the crew we have to worry about?"

Pirro shook his head and spoke clearly, his deep rich voice reverberating through the corridor. "No, there are a few more. Leave them to me though." Novia nodded to him and he disappeared around the corner.

"Don't worry. Pirro will handle the last few crewmen. We need to talk logistics." Novia turned and walked the opposite way down the corridor, Yumi following at a matching pace.

"Logistics?"

"Yes. You see, we still have to go back to port, which is held by my father's men."

"Couldn't we simply land elsewhere?"

Novia shook her head, the ends of her cornrows swaying with the motion. "No, and for multiple reasons. The port authorities only allow ships to approach the docks they are registered to. We may be part of an illegal syndicate, but even we can't get around that. It's all documented under shell corporations, but still." She turned another corner and stopped at a red door. Pushing it open, she stepped through and held the door for Yumi. "Plus, if we try to approach some random beachhead we'd only draw the syndicate's attention. They have a GPS tracker on the ship. If we stray from our course they won't ask questions. They will simply send another ship after us."

"It's almost like they don't trust you or your brother." Yumi commented, stepping into the room. It appeared to be some kind of bridge, the opposite side being a wall of windows that displayed the bow of the boat ahead of them.

"In a crime syndicate, it's rare to find unquestionable trust, even between blood relatives. After all," Novia smirked bitterly, "We're all greedy bastards, right?"

Yumi looked her in the eye and shook her head slowly. "Not all of you, obviously."

Novia bowed her head fractionally, in a sign of thanks, and moved toward an illuminated map and radar. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but trust me. We have the best chance of making it out if we head to the port. Once there, we can try to talk ourselves through Ajay's men, but we may end up having to fight our way out."

Yumi nodded in understanding, looking down at the map. "Where are we right now?"

Novia pointed to a spot miles off the coast. "Once Pirro is done with the crewmen, we should be able to head back to port. At full tilt, we could make it in roughly two hours."

They had taken her further than she thought. Yumi grimaced, wondering when she should use her beacon. "Could you let me know when we are about thirty minutes out?"

"Sure, but why?" Novia asked curiously.

Yumi tapped her cheek. "I'll need to signal a friend."

She was nowhere in the city. Candace glared at the radar, calmly scanning for any sign of Yumi's tracer or beacon. Nothing. Damn it! Something must be blocking the signals from her side. That or… She cut off that thought before she could explore it further. The tracer would lose its effectiveness should Yumi's heart stop pumping. There was something, a chemical, that was activated in that process that made the tracer function. That meant, if she were dead then there would be no signal to trace.

Shaking her head, she refused to contemplate it anymore. It made no sense. The syndicate wouldn't kill the one they deemed their bargaining chip. Unless those bastards discovered Yumi isn't who they thought she was. With a growl, Candace covered her eyes with the palms of her hands. "I really need a change. I cannae deal with this shit anymore."

A beep from the radar drew her attention back to the screen. It took a moment for her to realize what she was seeing. There, miles off the coast, a blip on the radar glowed. They took her to sea! Candace watched as the radar line swung back around, refreshing the position of the blip. It was moving. She continued to watch as the radar refreshed over and over again. Soon there was no doubt. Yumi was alive and heading back toward the coast. Marking the progression of the blip, she was able to predict that she was on a course heading straight for the port.

She felt so inept at that moment. With all her planning, she hadn't thought about the port. Of course, it made total sense that a syndicate from the Caribbean would have a setup at the port. Grabbing her cell phone, she called a friend. "Oy, it's me. I need some information on a boat." She paused, listening. Rolling her eyes she nodded her head impatiently. "Yes, alright ye cad! A bottle of scotch is in my pantry with your name on it. Now, hurry up! Here are the coordinates." Hold on, Yumi. I made a promise and I'm damn well gonna keep it!

The port was looming dead ahead. Yumi had been clenching so hard to activate her beacon that her jaw ached. Novia and Pirro stood at the helm, looking a mixture of anxious and excited. Yumi herself felt scared but determined. That was, until Novia turned to her and extended a pistol in her direction, handle first.

Taking a step back, she lifted her hands as if to ward off the weapon. "N-No thanks. I'm good."

Novia was insistent though, taking her hand and forcefully wrapping her fingers around the stock. "Right. In close quarters your body is a deadly weapon. Out there," She pointed toward the port. "You're not gonna want to get close enough to throw a punch or a kick. Plus, you're injured. If we have to fight our way out we are going to need your help."

"I've only ever shot a gun a few times!" Yumi exclaimed, resisting the urge to toss the weapon aside. "I won't be of any help like this!"

"Even if you just shoot in their direction, it could give Pirro or me an opportunity we wouldn't have otherwise." Stepping to her side, Novia circled her hand around Yumi's and lifted the gum to eye level. "The things to remember: this is the safety, keep both eyes open when aiming, don't pull the trigger, squeeze it. Remember to breathe. Don't hold your breath, okay?"

"I wish we had time to let you practice." Pirro spoke up from his place at the wheel. "If we delay though we'll only draw more attention."

Yumi nodded, lowering the weapon as Novia stepped back to Pirro's side. "I understand. I'm not comfortable with this, but I'll do my best." Inwardly she prayed it wouldn't come to a fight. She was so close to returning to Sachiko. What would happen if she were in a firefight? She shuddered at the thought. Hand to hand was different. It was predictable. Guns were erratic.

They were on their final approach when Pirro pointed out the men standing on the pier. They were ready for them alright. With a deep breath, Yumi clenched her jaw the final time and prayed that Candace would be looking for it.

"Alright." Novia turned to Yumi as she checked her pistol's ammo clip. "I'll go out and see if I can talk our way through. Pirro will tell you what to do if things go south." With a click, she slid the clip back into place and tucked it in her pants at the small of her back.

Yumi merely nodded, too anxious to speak.

Pirro, however, stepped to Novia's side and pulled her into a passionate kiss, easily lifting her tinier frame off the ground as he pulled her into his chest. She returned the kiss with equal passion before breaking off with a smile. "Missing me by your side already?"

Pirro's smirk made him look handsome in a rugged sort of way. "I miss you every minute you aren't in my arms."

With a giggle, she leaned in and planted a kiss on his nose. "Always the charmer, my love." He lowered her back to the ground as she continued. "After this, we'll be free and together."

He nodded and smiled, though Yumi could see the nervous flex of his hands at his sides.

Without another word, Novia winked at Yumi and exited the bridge. They watched anxiously as Novia casually walked to the pier and skillfully hopped over the boat rail and onto the stone path. Their attention was glued on Novia, looking for any hint that something was off. Yumi, not knowing her very well, didn't see it but Pirro did.

His hand went to his weapon at his side and he breathed low. "Something's wrong."

Alarmed, Yumi looked from Novia to Pirro and back before seeing Novia's hand inch toward her weapon.

Pirro was heading for the door, pistol in hand when something black caught Yumi's attention from the opposite side of the bridge. Turning, she spotted three black-clad figures crouched in the doorway, guns extended and pointed in their direction. "Pirro-kun, look out!" Yumi yelled, jumping forward and blocking the intruder's path toward the hulking man. Hands shaking, she pointed her gun in their direction.

The lead figure instantly stood and held up a fist. "Hold!"

That voice… Yumi narrowed her eyes at the leader even as they released their hold on their SMG, letting the weapon swing on its strap at their side. "Yumi, whoa! Donnae shoot! For the love of Christ, donnae shoot!"

Yumi nearly cried in relief, lowering the weapon. "Candace-sama!"

To confirm her identity, Candace removed her hooded mask and smiled devilishly at her. "Well, here I was thinking you'd need to be rescued, but look at you. Armed with a gun and on the bridge of the very ship you were being held captive on." She shook her head. "You never cease to amaze, do you?" Waving a hand behind Yumi, she added, "Mind asking the hulk to lower his weapon too?"

It was only then that Yumi noticed Pirro standing at her back with his pistol pointed straight at Candace. "Oh! Pirro, it's okay! This is the person I was signaling."

Reluctantly, Pirro lowered his weapon. "If you're on our side, could you do something about that?" He pointed out of the window toward the pier.

During their altercation on the bridge, it appeared Novia had been busy on the pier. Two men were down, while Novia was frantically trying to break free from another two's grasp. "Shit!" Candace moved rapidly toward the door while touching her finger to her right ear. "Stand down! She's a friendly!" She turned to Yumi while standing in the doorway. "Right?" Yumi nodded confirmation and followed her out onto the pier. "Oy! Damn it! Stand down!" Turning to Pirro she added, "Tell your woman we're on your side. Jesus! She's a viper! Look at her!"

Indeed, Yumi looked on utterly impressed by the frenzy that seemed to have taken Novia over. She's a chef? Nah, more like an MMA scrapper.

"Novia!" Pirro yelled to her, his booming voice instantly grabbing everyone's attention. Novia looked at him, confusion in her eyes as seeing him standing with Yumi and the people dressed in black. "Everything's okay!"

"Really?" Novia asked to be certain, all the while holding one of the men in an armbar, threatening to break it at the elbow.

"Yes." Candace smiled, motioning to the man cringing under her hand. "Now kindly release him. I'd like to avoid you breaking the members of my team if at all possible." She glanced down at the few men already immobilized on the ground. "Though it appears I was a bit late for some of them."

Releasing her armbar, Novia stepped away from the man and shrugged. "None of them are dead. Though," She pointed to one man holding his crotch. "I hope that one already has children. Otherwise," She tsked. "He might be shit outta luck."

With a chuckle, Candace motioned for her men to help the injured. "We have a good doctor. I'm sure they'll be fine. Now, ladies and gentleman, I think we should leave the area." She once more touched her comm and angled her head as if listening to something. "A port patrol is on the way and we don't want to be here when they arrive."

"My brother and his men are locked up below deck." A look of concern crossed Novia's face, thinking about the loose ends they were leaving behind.

"Brother?" Candace questioned, looking to Yumi for an explanation.

"She's part of the syndicate family." When she saw the alarm going off in Candace's eyes, she quickly added, "Novia and Pirro want out of the syndicate world. They helped me in exchange for our help in getting them a new life. We can trust them."

Though she saw doubt in her eyes, Candace nodded her understanding. "Where's your brother?"

"In Yumi's cell below. Alone."

Speaking into her comm again, Candace issued an order to her team. "We have an asset below deck. Alpha team, move to retrieve asset. Bravo team, head to the evac site. Charlie team, hold position until Alpha team is topside then retreat to evac site." Turning to Pirro she added, "Can you go with Alpha and show them where the asset is?"

Before Pirro could respond, Yumi stepped forward. "I will show you." She didn't let Candace argue with her. "They have risked enough for me and their freedom. Take them to the evac point and I will show you where Ajay is."

Short on time, Candace finally gave in. Issuing quick orders, Bravo team escorted Novia and Pirro away from the pier. Yumi offered them a warm and encouraging smile, noticing their nervousness. "Don't worry. It'll be okay."

"Now, Yumi, where is he? Lead the way."

Nodding, Yumi jumped back onto the boat, Candace and two others right on her heels. It only took a few minutes for her to lead them to the correct hatch. Moving her gun to her injured hand, she gripped the handle and pulled. The lock screeched out of position and she swung the door inward.

"Yumi, wait!" But it was too late. Rough hands grabbed her from the side and she was jerked into a warm, pungent body.

She cried out as she was twisted around and two arms wrapped around her neck. From the way his hands gripped her, she knew with a quick jerk he could snap her neck. The look of alarm on Candace's face told her she knew it too.

Ajay, still recovering from the knock he had taken to the head, smiled maliciously at Candace over Yumi's shoulder. "So that bitch of a sister finally turned traitor? I knew it would happen sooner or later. She was never worthy of the family business." The porthole! Yumi glanced to the side, at once confirming that the porthole had been left open. Ajay must have heard everything that happened on the pier.

"Now, donnae be stupid," Candace spoke in her calmest voice as if she were facing a deadly caged animal. "We've gotcha outnumbered and outgunned."

"Yeah? Well, I've got the one you came all this way here to save, right?" Ajay snorted. "You won't risk the daughter of the Ogasawara family."

Yumi gritted her teeth against the pain in her wrist and shifted just enough in his arms to draw his attention. "Listen here, jackass, I'm not a daughter of the Ogasawara family. I'm Sachiko's fuckin' bodyguard."

A shot rang out and Ajay's body instantly tensed against her back. "Ah! You bitch!" Pain edged his voice as he flexed his arms, readying to break her neck. Before he could, another shot sounded and he jerked back, involuntarily releasing Yumi and falling to the ground.

Yumi cringed at the pain radiating up her injured arm. It was swollen and bruised, but the thing that looked worse to Yumi was the smoking gun in her hand. Blood splattered the end of the barrel where she had pressed it to Ajay's side and pulled the trigger.

Candace rushed forward and moved to pull Yumi from the room. It was obvious she didn't want Yumi to see what she had done, but Yumi resisted. She knew she needed to see it. She needed to face what she had done or it would haunt her all the more. Looking back, she caught sight of the puddle of blood growing beneath Ajay's prone body. His breathing was ragged, but fading quickly. His eyes met hers. The sneer on his face was meant to assault her. In truth, it only served to strengthen her resolve. This man was a criminal. This man had tried to rape her. Who knew how many other girls he had harmed? He was the future leader of a syndicate that was evil and whose influence was spreading. No, even as she saw the light leave his eyes, she found that she could push the guilt away. She did this for herself. She did this so that she could return to Sachiko. She did this for the greater good, right?

"Staring at it won't make anything better, Yumi-chan," Candace spoke softly from her side. This time she let Candace's steady hands pull her away. She heard her issue orders to get his body and then they were headed for the bridge once more. "You did good, Yumi-chan."

Yumi could only nod. "Right…I did good."

She didn't speak again until they were in the armored truck heading away from the port. Candace had been watching her carefully, concern clearly evident in her eyes. "Candace-sama?"

"Ay, Yumi-chan?"

"Don't tell Sachiko."

She didn't need to clarify. Candace knew without having to ask. She nodded. "No one will hear it from me. The report will say he died during our retreat. More details won't be needed."

Yumi nodded and found she could breathe easier knowing that Sachiko wouldn't be burdened with the knowledge of what she had had to do. How she had had to take a life in order to keep her promise to return. Bowing her head, she prayed silently. Maria-sama, if my soul is to be damned for this, so be it. I'd give my soul to save Sachiko. I just ask… please, help me to live with this. He was evil and deserving of punishment. She stared at her hand, bruised and swollen. If only that punishment hadn't come at my hand.

The day had dragged on for a week. At least, that's how it felt to Sachiko while being cooped up in the apartment without any updates from Candace. Rei and Yoshino both did their best to keep her entertained and distracted, but it was a futile effort.

It wasn't until late afternoon that Sachiko's phone rang, startling all three girls from their own thoughts. It was Yoshino who jumped into action first, bounding across the room and picking the phone up from the nightstand. An instant later she had the phone open and pressed to her ear. "Hello?"

Rei was halfway across the room, standing stiffly and waiting.

Sachiko, however, was still in her place on the couch, watching Yoshino anxiously. When Yoshino's eyes filled with tears and she looked in her direction, Sachiko was on her feet and across the room in an instant. Without a word, she took the phone and held it to her own ear. "Hello? Candace-san? What's going on? Where's Yumi?"

There was silence for a moment before an all too familiar voice whispered to her over the line. "Hey, love." A soft sob broke from Sachiko's throat as she slumped to the edge of the bed. Yumi's voice spoke strong and clear over the line, her words caressing Sachiko's trembling heart. "I'm returning to you, just like I promised."

A/N - Hope all of you have a wonderful holiday weekend! Stay safe and I hope you enjoyed this update! The story is starting to wind down, but there is still a lot that is yet to come! :D