Chapter 3 : The start for Rogue.
Eight year old Shinji Katou watched from the darkened doorway as his father, Keir Katou, and some other man lowered a crumpled figure onto a pallet. It was dark outside and Shinji had been asleep until he had heard the noises coming from the hallway.
" There that'll keep 'er till mornin'. "
" Shut up. " Keir barked. " Keep your voice down. " he leant down and injected something into the figure with a needle.
Shinji ducked back into the cover of the shadows as his father and the other man came out of the room, closing the door behind them. The darkened figure handed over a huge wad of money to Keir, who gladly excepted it with a grunt.
" I don't usually do this type of buisness. " Keir stated in a whisper.
Shinji strained to hear.
" Yeah well, we do what we're told. It ain't my place to say what's wrong or right as long as I get paid in the end. "
" What about the family? " Keir demanded.
The shadowed figured shrugged.
" HE just gave 'er to me and told me to get rid of 'er. Didn't care what I did as long as she couldn't get back. Told me no details. "
Keir sighed and ran his hand over the back of his neck trying to ease some tension.
" Very well. " Keir sighed.
" See ya round. " the other man said and was gone, disappearing into the shadows.
Shinji crept forward and nearly cursed when the floor board creaked. Keir whipped around and spotted him.
" Shinji. " Keir stated.
Shinji gulped and forced away his fear of being busted.
" Who was that? " he asked matching his father's gaze.
" A friend. " Keir replied dryly. " You should be in bed. "
" I meant the person who's in there. " Shinji stated pointing to the closed door.
Keir's eyes narrowed.
" How much did you see, hear? "
Shinji knew it was better to remain silent. Keir sighed.
" You saw and heard nothing is that clear? "
Shinji knew from past experiences that it was a command and not one to be broken.
" But who is it? "
Keir growled and Shinji knew he had gone too far.
" Get back to bed and I don't want to hear another peep from you is that clear? "
Shinji crept back to his bedroom and closed the door.
* * *
Shinji woke just as the sunlight was started to flood through his window that hung over his bed in the ceiling. He jumped up and got dressed and walked out ito the hallway. He stopped when he remembered what he had seen and heard last night. He listened and looked up and down the hallways before curiousity got the better of him.
He walked over to the door and slid it back and starred down at the crumpled form on the floor on the pallet. Sunlight was streaming down onto the figure and he closed the door behind him and went over to kneel beside the figure. Shinji's black hair caught the sunlight and his brown eyes roamed over the figure which he saw with clarity was a young girl. Her brown hair was all messy and tumbled over her face. Shinji reached over and gently turned her face so she was facing him, so he could get a closer look. Her hair fell away from her face and she murmered in her sleep.
Her top was parted up the top and he saw a shadow on her skin. He pushed back the material and saw the Back Wolf tattoo with it's emerald eyes. He blinked a couple of times and starred at it not knowing what it meant. His senses prickled and he whipped around to stare at his father who was standing there watching him.
Keir's eyes bored into his son's as he watched him. He stepped forward and looked at Shinji meaningfully.
" I thought I told you last night not to - " he stopped when he saw what it had been his son had been starring at.
Keir's eyes widened when he saw the mark and swore colourfully under his breath startling Shinji.
Keir ordered Shinji to guard the girl whilst he made a phone call and abruptly left the room. The girl made a noise and he turned in time to see her emerald eyes open and stare up at him. Shinji being the good-natured person that he was smiled brightly at her.
" Hi. " he said.
" Where am I? "
" I'm not exactly sure I should tell you that. " Shinji replied.
" My name's Shinji. What's yours? "
" Ying Fa. " she replied trying to sit up.
She gingerly felt the back of her head and felt the huge lump and cringed.
" How old are you? " Shinji asked.
" Six. "
" You're two years younger than me. " Shinji stated smiling.
" Yeah, go figure. " Ying Fa retorted trying to comb her hair, making Shinji frown.
" You sure don't act yur age. " he said. " You act more like an adult. "
Ying Fa shot him a look.
" Duh. I'm a female. Female's were born with natural talents and are highly gifted. "
Shinji chuckled and raised his eyebrow at her.
" Who told you that? "
" My aunty - " her Ying Fa paused. " My aunty - "
" Aunty? " Shinji proded.
Ying Fa's eyes widened.
" I don't know! "
" Well that's ok. I forget all my aunts names some times. It'll come back. "
Ying Fa flung forward and grabbed Shinji's shirt in a tight grip.
" No you don't understand! I have no clue about her, them, anyone! "
Shinji looked at her as she started to sob.
" It's a nightmare! I just want to wake up! "
" Hey come on. " Shinji soothed. He'd never delt with a crying girl before and he was just as confused about her and what she was saying.
The door slid back and Shinji and Ying Fa looked up as Keir appeared in the doorway looking at her startled. Ying Fa shied away from his glance and hid herself in Shinji's shirt as she continued to sob. Shinji shot his father a helpless glance and he could have sworn that his father's mouth quirked at the corners in the beginnings of a smile.
Keir knelt down beside his son and the girl and made her look at him. He studied her for a moment and then spoke.
" What do you remember? "
Ying Fa gulped and closed her eyes.
" People. I don't know their names. A man with a scar and smoke. "
Keir nodded seeming satisfied.
" I'm Keir. Shinji's father. No doubt you've met my son. "
Ying Fa looked at Shinji and blushed a slight pink and let go of his shirt.
" Come little one, let's get you cleaned up. " Keir said and stood up.
Ying Fa glanced at Shinji and he felt a surge of protectiveness overcome him and he grabbed her hand and tugged her to her feet.
" Come on. " he said and took her towards the bathroom.
* * *
" You ok in there? " Shinji called from the hallway as he leant up against the wall.
Behind the closed door he could here splashing about.
" I'm fine. " Ying Fa called.
" Hurry up then. "
" Bite me. " Ying Fa threw back.
" I will if you don't move it. "
" Well I never. " Trinity Colins whispered as she watched Shinji with Keir.
" Well this is a whole new side that I've never seen before. " Trinity continued.
Keir nodded and went back into the room.
" He hasn't acted this protective of anyone since before the inncident with his older sister 2 years ago. " Keir sighed as he sat.
Trinity turned away from the sight in the hallway and looked at Keir sympathetically.
Trinity Colins was a tall, skinny woman with Blonde hair and deep hazel eyes. She was a very good friend of Keir's and knew everything about anyone as she made it her business to know.
" Keir not even I knew what Katie was getting herself into until it was too late. Just be thankful that the bullet killed her swiftly and quickly. I thought you had gotten over this? "
" I had. It's just that it brought it back to me when I see Shinji and the way he acts around her. "
" She has a name Keir. "
Keir's eyes flashed.
" And you and I both know who the hell she is. Trust god damn Komoji to put this on me. He wants it on my head instead of his. "
Trinity lit up her cigerette and took a deep draw on it.
" So what you said earlier is true then? " she blew out the smoke, crossing her legs.
Keir ran his hands through his hair.
" Yeah. She's the damn heir to Black Wolves. The news of the kidnapping has gone through every line from here to China and beyond. If I get busted, I'm screwed. "
" But she doesn't remember a thing though does she? " Trinity asked.
" No. But I think that might be from shit I gave her last night to keep her sedated. Who fucking knows? But the tattoo's like waving a freaking red flag in front of a bull."
" This has really got your goat hasn't it ? Trinity asked amused as she put out the cigerette.
Keir glarred fire at her.
" Who the fuck would you know. "
" Because sugar, you only swear when your either pissed or stressed. "
Keir snarled at her and looked out the window.
There was a small knock on the door and they both looked up to see Shinji standing in the doorway.
" Umm what do we do with her now? " he tugged and a figure wrapped in a thick fluffy towel came into view looking at them shyly.
Trinity broke into a huge smile and her eyes sparkled as she took in the girl in front of her.
" Oh isn't she just adorable?! "
Ying Fa starred up at her.
" Cleo would just love to met you. She's 9, but I think she'd take to you like glue. "
Trinity turned to Keir.
" Would you let me take to my club to meet Cleo? "
" Club? " Ying Fa repeated breaking into a smile.
" Yeah you know a Club - dancing, drinking, eating. All that kind of stuff. "
" Oh can I?" Ying Fa breathed as she looked up at Keir with her eyes sparkling hopefully.
" Please? "
Keir was thrown back by her manner and looked at her strangely.
" You are not mine, so do as you please. "
Ying Fa lost her smile and looked at him with sad eyes.
" Keir. " Trinity barked glarring at him.
" Shinji go and find something for Ying Fa to wear. Take her with you. "
" Hai Trinity. "
Trinity turned back to Keir when they walked down the hall.
" Why'd you do that? " she demanded.
" What I said was true. "
" Katou have you no bit of your heart left? " she asked angrily. " The girl is as innocent as the day she was born. It isn't her fault that she is who she is. She did nothing to Komoji, that was her mother years ago. I think it sad that someone nurtures a hatred like Komoji has. She's been pulled away from her family and all you can do is - "
" Don't give me the lecture Trin. " Keir commanded.
" Remind her of the fact that she is alone. " Trinity concluded ignoring the interruption.
* * *
" Ying Fa, this is my daughter Cleo. "
Ying Fa stopped looking around and looked at the girl beside Trinity. She, like her mother had Blonde hair, but had green eyes. She was tall for her age and Ying Fa smiled at her and then continued looking around as Cleo talked with her mother.
Ying Fa made her way over to the bar and was looking about when Cleo appeared beside her.
" Curiousity killed the cat you know. "
Ying Fa jumped and then smiled at her.
" Yeah but Satisfaction brought it back. "
Cleo blinked totally stumped at the comeback cos she had never heard it before and then broke into a smile as she got her mother's attention.
" Hey ma, you'll right. I like her already. " Cleo yelled.
" I knew you would. " Trinity yelled back turning to one of her employee's.
" So your name's Ying Fa right? " Cleo asked.
Ying Fa nodded.
" So what's your tag name? "
Ying Fa blinked confused.
" Tag name? "
" Yeah don't you know about tags? " Cleo asked surprised. " Didn't your mother teach you anything? "
A memeory flashed in Ying Fa's memeory.
" But I want to learn how to fight. "
" Ying Fa you are too young. No. "
Anger burned in Ying Fa's eyes as she looked back at Cleo.
" My mother didn't want to teach me anything. "
Cleo cringed.
" Tough break. Ok, well here's the deal. We all have a tag name. It's kinda like a code, so if you have people that you don't want to know your real name, they call you by your tag. It's the rules in most gangs. I mean you don't have to have one, but it's better if you do. "
" What's yours? "
" Mine's Kitty. "
" Can it be anything? "
" Yep, as long as it suits you and no others have it. "
Ying Fa tilted her head and thought.
" How 'bout Rogue? I mean I'm all on my own and all. "
Cleo smiled.
" Rogue. That's cool. Ok from now own your tag name is Rogue. "
Ying Fa smiled and was promptly dragged off by Cleo to show her around.
Eight year old Shinji Katou watched from the darkened doorway as his father, Keir Katou, and some other man lowered a crumpled figure onto a pallet. It was dark outside and Shinji had been asleep until he had heard the noises coming from the hallway.
" There that'll keep 'er till mornin'. "
" Shut up. " Keir barked. " Keep your voice down. " he leant down and injected something into the figure with a needle.
Shinji ducked back into the cover of the shadows as his father and the other man came out of the room, closing the door behind them. The darkened figure handed over a huge wad of money to Keir, who gladly excepted it with a grunt.
" I don't usually do this type of buisness. " Keir stated in a whisper.
Shinji strained to hear.
" Yeah well, we do what we're told. It ain't my place to say what's wrong or right as long as I get paid in the end. "
" What about the family? " Keir demanded.
The shadowed figured shrugged.
" HE just gave 'er to me and told me to get rid of 'er. Didn't care what I did as long as she couldn't get back. Told me no details. "
Keir sighed and ran his hand over the back of his neck trying to ease some tension.
" Very well. " Keir sighed.
" See ya round. " the other man said and was gone, disappearing into the shadows.
Shinji crept forward and nearly cursed when the floor board creaked. Keir whipped around and spotted him.
" Shinji. " Keir stated.
Shinji gulped and forced away his fear of being busted.
" Who was that? " he asked matching his father's gaze.
" A friend. " Keir replied dryly. " You should be in bed. "
" I meant the person who's in there. " Shinji stated pointing to the closed door.
Keir's eyes narrowed.
" How much did you see, hear? "
Shinji knew it was better to remain silent. Keir sighed.
" You saw and heard nothing is that clear? "
Shinji knew from past experiences that it was a command and not one to be broken.
" But who is it? "
Keir growled and Shinji knew he had gone too far.
" Get back to bed and I don't want to hear another peep from you is that clear? "
Shinji crept back to his bedroom and closed the door.
* * *
Shinji woke just as the sunlight was started to flood through his window that hung over his bed in the ceiling. He jumped up and got dressed and walked out ito the hallway. He stopped when he remembered what he had seen and heard last night. He listened and looked up and down the hallways before curiousity got the better of him.
He walked over to the door and slid it back and starred down at the crumpled form on the floor on the pallet. Sunlight was streaming down onto the figure and he closed the door behind him and went over to kneel beside the figure. Shinji's black hair caught the sunlight and his brown eyes roamed over the figure which he saw with clarity was a young girl. Her brown hair was all messy and tumbled over her face. Shinji reached over and gently turned her face so she was facing him, so he could get a closer look. Her hair fell away from her face and she murmered in her sleep.
Her top was parted up the top and he saw a shadow on her skin. He pushed back the material and saw the Back Wolf tattoo with it's emerald eyes. He blinked a couple of times and starred at it not knowing what it meant. His senses prickled and he whipped around to stare at his father who was standing there watching him.
Keir's eyes bored into his son's as he watched him. He stepped forward and looked at Shinji meaningfully.
" I thought I told you last night not to - " he stopped when he saw what it had been his son had been starring at.
Keir's eyes widened when he saw the mark and swore colourfully under his breath startling Shinji.
Keir ordered Shinji to guard the girl whilst he made a phone call and abruptly left the room. The girl made a noise and he turned in time to see her emerald eyes open and stare up at him. Shinji being the good-natured person that he was smiled brightly at her.
" Hi. " he said.
" Where am I? "
" I'm not exactly sure I should tell you that. " Shinji replied.
" My name's Shinji. What's yours? "
" Ying Fa. " she replied trying to sit up.
She gingerly felt the back of her head and felt the huge lump and cringed.
" How old are you? " Shinji asked.
" Six. "
" You're two years younger than me. " Shinji stated smiling.
" Yeah, go figure. " Ying Fa retorted trying to comb her hair, making Shinji frown.
" You sure don't act yur age. " he said. " You act more like an adult. "
Ying Fa shot him a look.
" Duh. I'm a female. Female's were born with natural talents and are highly gifted. "
Shinji chuckled and raised his eyebrow at her.
" Who told you that? "
" My aunty - " her Ying Fa paused. " My aunty - "
" Aunty? " Shinji proded.
Ying Fa's eyes widened.
" I don't know! "
" Well that's ok. I forget all my aunts names some times. It'll come back. "
Ying Fa flung forward and grabbed Shinji's shirt in a tight grip.
" No you don't understand! I have no clue about her, them, anyone! "
Shinji looked at her as she started to sob.
" It's a nightmare! I just want to wake up! "
" Hey come on. " Shinji soothed. He'd never delt with a crying girl before and he was just as confused about her and what she was saying.
The door slid back and Shinji and Ying Fa looked up as Keir appeared in the doorway looking at her startled. Ying Fa shied away from his glance and hid herself in Shinji's shirt as she continued to sob. Shinji shot his father a helpless glance and he could have sworn that his father's mouth quirked at the corners in the beginnings of a smile.
Keir knelt down beside his son and the girl and made her look at him. He studied her for a moment and then spoke.
" What do you remember? "
Ying Fa gulped and closed her eyes.
" People. I don't know their names. A man with a scar and smoke. "
Keir nodded seeming satisfied.
" I'm Keir. Shinji's father. No doubt you've met my son. "
Ying Fa looked at Shinji and blushed a slight pink and let go of his shirt.
" Come little one, let's get you cleaned up. " Keir said and stood up.
Ying Fa glanced at Shinji and he felt a surge of protectiveness overcome him and he grabbed her hand and tugged her to her feet.
" Come on. " he said and took her towards the bathroom.
* * *
" You ok in there? " Shinji called from the hallway as he leant up against the wall.
Behind the closed door he could here splashing about.
" I'm fine. " Ying Fa called.
" Hurry up then. "
" Bite me. " Ying Fa threw back.
" I will if you don't move it. "
" Well I never. " Trinity Colins whispered as she watched Shinji with Keir.
" Well this is a whole new side that I've never seen before. " Trinity continued.
Keir nodded and went back into the room.
" He hasn't acted this protective of anyone since before the inncident with his older sister 2 years ago. " Keir sighed as he sat.
Trinity turned away from the sight in the hallway and looked at Keir sympathetically.
Trinity Colins was a tall, skinny woman with Blonde hair and deep hazel eyes. She was a very good friend of Keir's and knew everything about anyone as she made it her business to know.
" Keir not even I knew what Katie was getting herself into until it was too late. Just be thankful that the bullet killed her swiftly and quickly. I thought you had gotten over this? "
" I had. It's just that it brought it back to me when I see Shinji and the way he acts around her. "
" She has a name Keir. "
Keir's eyes flashed.
" And you and I both know who the hell she is. Trust god damn Komoji to put this on me. He wants it on my head instead of his. "
Trinity lit up her cigerette and took a deep draw on it.
" So what you said earlier is true then? " she blew out the smoke, crossing her legs.
Keir ran his hands through his hair.
" Yeah. She's the damn heir to Black Wolves. The news of the kidnapping has gone through every line from here to China and beyond. If I get busted, I'm screwed. "
" But she doesn't remember a thing though does she? " Trinity asked.
" No. But I think that might be from shit I gave her last night to keep her sedated. Who fucking knows? But the tattoo's like waving a freaking red flag in front of a bull."
" This has really got your goat hasn't it ? Trinity asked amused as she put out the cigerette.
Keir glarred fire at her.
" Who the fuck would you know. "
" Because sugar, you only swear when your either pissed or stressed. "
Keir snarled at her and looked out the window.
There was a small knock on the door and they both looked up to see Shinji standing in the doorway.
" Umm what do we do with her now? " he tugged and a figure wrapped in a thick fluffy towel came into view looking at them shyly.
Trinity broke into a huge smile and her eyes sparkled as she took in the girl in front of her.
" Oh isn't she just adorable?! "
Ying Fa starred up at her.
" Cleo would just love to met you. She's 9, but I think she'd take to you like glue. "
Trinity turned to Keir.
" Would you let me take to my club to meet Cleo? "
" Club? " Ying Fa repeated breaking into a smile.
" Yeah you know a Club - dancing, drinking, eating. All that kind of stuff. "
" Oh can I?" Ying Fa breathed as she looked up at Keir with her eyes sparkling hopefully.
" Please? "
Keir was thrown back by her manner and looked at her strangely.
" You are not mine, so do as you please. "
Ying Fa lost her smile and looked at him with sad eyes.
" Keir. " Trinity barked glarring at him.
" Shinji go and find something for Ying Fa to wear. Take her with you. "
" Hai Trinity. "
Trinity turned back to Keir when they walked down the hall.
" Why'd you do that? " she demanded.
" What I said was true. "
" Katou have you no bit of your heart left? " she asked angrily. " The girl is as innocent as the day she was born. It isn't her fault that she is who she is. She did nothing to Komoji, that was her mother years ago. I think it sad that someone nurtures a hatred like Komoji has. She's been pulled away from her family and all you can do is - "
" Don't give me the lecture Trin. " Keir commanded.
" Remind her of the fact that she is alone. " Trinity concluded ignoring the interruption.
* * *
" Ying Fa, this is my daughter Cleo. "
Ying Fa stopped looking around and looked at the girl beside Trinity. She, like her mother had Blonde hair, but had green eyes. She was tall for her age and Ying Fa smiled at her and then continued looking around as Cleo talked with her mother.
Ying Fa made her way over to the bar and was looking about when Cleo appeared beside her.
" Curiousity killed the cat you know. "
Ying Fa jumped and then smiled at her.
" Yeah but Satisfaction brought it back. "
Cleo blinked totally stumped at the comeback cos she had never heard it before and then broke into a smile as she got her mother's attention.
" Hey ma, you'll right. I like her already. " Cleo yelled.
" I knew you would. " Trinity yelled back turning to one of her employee's.
" So your name's Ying Fa right? " Cleo asked.
Ying Fa nodded.
" So what's your tag name? "
Ying Fa blinked confused.
" Tag name? "
" Yeah don't you know about tags? " Cleo asked surprised. " Didn't your mother teach you anything? "
A memeory flashed in Ying Fa's memeory.
" But I want to learn how to fight. "
" Ying Fa you are too young. No. "
Anger burned in Ying Fa's eyes as she looked back at Cleo.
" My mother didn't want to teach me anything. "
Cleo cringed.
" Tough break. Ok, well here's the deal. We all have a tag name. It's kinda like a code, so if you have people that you don't want to know your real name, they call you by your tag. It's the rules in most gangs. I mean you don't have to have one, but it's better if you do. "
" What's yours? "
" Mine's Kitty. "
" Can it be anything? "
" Yep, as long as it suits you and no others have it. "
Ying Fa tilted her head and thought.
" How 'bout Rogue? I mean I'm all on my own and all. "
Cleo smiled.
" Rogue. That's cool. Ok from now own your tag name is Rogue. "
Ying Fa smiled and was promptly dragged off by Cleo to show her around.