Tokyo Crazy Paradise : The Untold Chapters

Chapter 3: If You're Gone

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Tsukasa was deeply relieved when she left Ryuji's office. Her heart was still pounding really hard. In fact, her skin still tingled from the memories of Ryuji's seductive touch. Shaking her head, Tsukasa told herself to get a grip.

" Tsukasa-chan!!" Tsukasa turned around only to find Meiko sensei, Ryuji's personal doctor waving towards her. She smiled back meekly.

For the last four years, the whole Kuryugumi knew about Tsukasa's gender. In fact, many speculated that Tsukasa would be Ryuji's seisai (wife) but Tsukasa always avoided the issue. She was satisfied enough being Ryuji's bodyguard but some people like Meiko sensei shamelessly tried to matchmake her with Ryuji at almost every given opportunity. Even though Tsukasa admitted that she loved Ryuji but for her, a katagi (non-yakuza person) who were also raised by police parents, to become a yakuza leader wife was a completely different issue.

" Meiko-sensei. Konnichiwa. I was just about leaving."
" But Tsukasa-chan, it has been so long since you saw me at my office. A-no... why are you flushing beet red?" Tsukasa looked away hiding her embarassment. Arching her left eyebrow up, Meiko teasingly joked, " Did Ryuji...ehem ehem.. you..*hint*hint*?"

Tsukasa blushed redder. " No.. of course not. What gives you that idea?"
" Well, the fact that Ryuji is right behind you and looking at you as if he's ready to pounce on you and drag you away from me any time soon."

Tsukasa turned around and saw Ryuji staring straight at her. She glared back at him. SD shot of Tsukasa monster version. Ryuji quickly looked away and turn his attention back to Bun-san and the rest of his men. At times like this, Tsukasa doubted the fact that Ryuji was anything more than a lovesick teenager. But always unexpectedly, he would surprise her with his intelligence and dexterity as Kuryugumi's leader. To earn a respect of hundreds far older than him is no mean feat for a teenage boy like Ryuji. Yet around Tsukasa, he does come across like a complete doofus.

Tsukasa told Meiko-sensei that she wants to go home only to be told by Meiko-sensei that Ryuji needed her to be around for tonight's Kuryugumi meeting. " You are after all his bodyguard."
" But Bun-san always come with him at those meetings."
" This time it's different. There are rumors that a new triad society emerging from the suburban Tokyo area and they were out to carve a territory out of the current yakuza territories including ours. The rest of the clans decided to have a meeting. All of the clan leaders will be there. Considering the danger, I am sure Ryuji wants you to be with him."

Tsukasa sighed. She should stay but she already told Kaya-san that she's coming back for dinner. But then, they would understand. Ryuji's safety is on the top of her list, her No 1 responsibility. Regretfully, she whipped out her cell phone and dialed home.

From behind one of the pillars, there was a man hidden in the shadows watching Tsukasa's every move. He whispered into his intercom, " We've found our target."

In a bulletproof black limo which was, at that moment, speeding across Tokyo's sprawling highways, Doumyouji Tsukasa received a transmission from his mole working inside Kuryugumi. It may looked traitorous to place a spy in your own ally's backyard but at this times, Doumyouji would not take any risk. In front of him, his laptop was opened and on the monitor flashed Tsukasa's picture and complete personal data.

" This boy was last seen with Makino at 20:30 hours at Tokyo-Yamada B Dockyard. Other than that, we do not know. But from what we believe, Kuryugumi have not been entirely truthful to us. It seemed they wanted to protect this boy," said Sojirou Nishikado. Seated next to Doumyouji, Nishikado was the Doumyouji Corporation head of security as well as Doumyouji's top adviser. Other than that, he was also famed for having his way with the Tokyo ladies and his reputation as one of Tokyo's Most Eligible Casanova hid the fact that he was also reputed as the best expert in security and surveillance technology.

" So you think that by watching his movements, it might provide clues to Makino's whereabouts." Nishikado nodded.
" That's our current plan."
" Good. Inform me whenever you have new information immediately."
" Yes, sir." The car halted by the roadside and Nishikado stepped out of the limo.

Doumyouji, alone in the car, closed the laptop and set it aside. His hand slipped into his jacket side pocket and brought out a piece of diamond necklace. It's his engagement gift to Makino and that was the only thing she left when she disappeared.

No.. I refuse to believe you would leave me just like that.

His laptop blipped. Doumyouji Kaede appeared on the monitor.

" Doumyouji, stop all this. You are wasting the company's time and resources going on a wild goose chase."
" I'll find her."
" She's a traitor. I already told you before but you were too blinded by your emotion to see the truth. She's.."
" I do not care who she is. All I knows that I love her and I'll get her back, by all means."
" Doumyouji!! You are Doumyuoji Corporation CEO not an obsessed, lovesick teenager. Makino betrayed the company. She had not only stole one of our company's greatest asset. We just discovered that she had..."
" I don't want to hear anything from you. Goodbye." Doumyouji cut off the transmission.

Flashback.. In Okinawa.

Doumyouji sitting side by side with Makino. Both of them holding each others' hands while they watch the summer fireworks.

" I wish I could be like the fireworks," said Makino. Doumyouji glanced at her.
" Why?"
" To live for a moment's brilliance. To be always remembered as nothing but beautiful bursts of lights and colors." He frowned.
" I don't want you to disappear like the fireworks. I would not let you."

Makino turned away. " What if I have to? Would you go on with life and forget me?"
" What this rubbish you're talking about?" Doumyouji turned her towards him. Tipping her head by the chin upwards, their eyes met and Doumyouji could see that Makino had been crying.

" Did I do something wrong?" She shook her head.
" No.."
" Then what.." All of a sudden, Makino threw her arms around him and held him tight. Startled, Doumyouji asked her if there was anything he could do.
" Then would you promise me something?"
" What?"
" If I am gone.. would you go on with your life and forget everything about me."
" Makino.."
" Promise me.. If I one day disappear from your life.. let me disappear like the fireworks."
" Why?"
" Promise me.."

Back to the present. Doumyouji sighed. I'm sorry, Makino. That was something I would not do. Even if I have to go to the depths of hell, I would go after you.

* * * *

Makino was in the kitchen helping Kaya-san with that day's dinner. When Kaya-san finished chopping the vegetables, she turned towards Makino to pass it over to her only to find Makino so lost in her thought that she did notice that the fish she had been frying was burnt to a crisp. When Kaya-san pointed at it, Makino snapped out of her reverie and hurriedly lifted out the scorched fish.

" Makino, is there anything wrong?"
" No.. it's just that the song on the radio. It sounded familiar."
"That's odd." She paused to listen to the song. " This is Louis's new composition. They just released it a week ago. Perhaps you heard it on the way to Tokyo." Makino mumbled. " Louis?"
" Oh.. I thought you know him. He's a famous violinist. Classical music making a huge comeback these days. Thank goodness, I am already sick of hearing all those electronic synthesizer concoction. Emotionless tunes they are, don't you think so too? I really like Louis's violin pieces."
" But it sounded so sad."
" All of his compositions are like that. But that's the beauty of his melodies. To be able to infuse such emotion is the sign of a unique talent."

To herself, Makino noted. When all you knew is misery, all what you can give is grief.

Flashback. A ten year old Makino making a pinkie promise with another boy. With both little fingers entwined, they promise each other that no matter what happen, they'll always be there for each other.

" Tsukushi. I promise that I'll make those people who took our lives pay for what they did." Hugging her, he went on. " And I also promise you, I will take care of you forever."
" Always. You'll take care of me always, Rui. Promise me that."
The boy nodded. " It's a promise."

Back to the present, Makino was back in the kitchen when she inadvertently heard Kaya-san mentioned her name. Thinking that she was calling her, Makino went to the study only to realize that Kaya-san was on the phone.

" Ryuji, are you sure that Makino is the girl they trying to find."
" Positive. Our sources just confirmed it. We already sent some of our scouts to keep watch of your house."
" You think Doumyouji men will come here?"

Makino froze. Has she been found? She hurriedly went to her room and packed her things. Just as she was about to turn around to leave, she suddenly find herself face to face with Kozuki Takuma.

" Where do you think you are going?"
" Taku-ni, I .. I am sorry. I have to go. They've found me."
" Why are you so worriend about getting found? What exactly is the trouble you are in?"
" You don't know Doumyouji. He.."
" Spare me that crap. I knew you were lying from the very first day. Be truthful for once." Makino looked away. " You don't understand. It's far complicated than that."
" You wanted to leave because you are worried that you are endangering Kaya-san and my family. What you don't know is that our family has faced far worse danger than this. We are not afraid so why must you. You can't keep running away."

Makino put her bag down. Smiling, she calmly replied, " Taku-ni, you are a good person. Tsukasa, Kaya-san and your brothers. They have no part in this. I have involved you needlessly. That was a mistake on my part. Thus I must leave."
" Still you owe Tsukasa an explanation." Taku-ni grabbed her bag and put it back inside the drawer. " Ryuji is bringing her back for dinner. He already told me that he already have his people surround the compound just in case Doumyouji decided to attack here."
" He doesn't have to."
" He already did. " Taku-ni grinned, " After all, you are a part of the family in a way. Tsukasa and Kaya-san were really fond of you. And knowing Ryuji, your safety is as much his priority as the safety of the rest of the family."
" Doumyouji will kill him for this."

Then, a clear, determined voice said, " He would not dare as long as I live." Makino turned only to find her confronting Tsukasa and Ryuji, both looking grim but assured. Tsukasa continued, " As long as you are under my roof, you are under the Kozuki family protection."
" And whoever under Kaya-san and Kozuki family protection also will have the protection of the whole Kuryugumi clan," said Ryuji. Makino was speechless. Takuma patted her on the back and nodded at Ryuji. Ryuji nodded back knowingly.

Tsukasa wanted to kill Ryuji for keeping the fact that he already knew about Makino from her. She only realize this when the car which supposed to go to the clan meeting had followed a different route. A very familiar route. Then, it dawned on her.

" You tricked me." Ryuji remained unperturbed as Tsukasa screamed at him. " You big liar. I would not let you take Makino to that bastard."
" Tsukasa, listen to me." Tsukasa started spanking Ryuji. SD shot of Ryuji swerving left and right avoiding her punches.
" Listen? What listen?? I had trusted you.. How could I trusted you...bakayarou.. " Swiftly, Ryuji grabbed her shoulders and pin her down " Listen to me," he roared immediately silencing her. " You trusted me don't you." Tsukasa nodded.
" Then, don't you dare stop now. I am doing this for you with risking the safety of the whole Kuryugumi. So, all I want is for you to work with me, not against me. " Astounded by his words, Tsukasa reluctantly nodded.
" What do you want me to do?"
" Now, I want you to listen to me carefully. This is my plan.."

Back to the present, the whole family sat down at the dinner table. Ryuji, Tsukasa, Makino, Takuma, Kaya-san & Bun-san. Sho and Kyohei was sent to the underground shelter with their food (as they were too chicken to follow the plan). Dinner was a silent affair. Originally, Kaya-san and Takuma was not supposed to be there but Kaya-san insisted to serve dinner herself.

Ryuji saw a shadow flickered near the window across the room. He discreetly glanced at Tsukasa. She nodded. Makino saw it too. Tsukasa's plan resounded in her ears. " At the very first moment, you, Taku-ni and Kaya-san will hide in the underground shelter. The rest of it, leave it to me and Ryuji."

What Tsukasa did not know, Makino did not intend to follow her instructions.

Just then, the window crashed into pieces. Two gas bombs were thrown onto the table. The whole dining area was engulfed in smog. In the confusion, six men in masks and dark suits entered the room with a huge machine gun on each of their hands. When the smog cleared, they were surprised to see that there was no one. Just then, Tsukasa appeared out of no where and delivered a stunning display of lightning speed punches and kicks. At one moment, one of the men aimed his gun towards her only to be kicked in the face by Ryuji. A sudden blaze of gunshots shattered the wall as Bun-san swerved avoiding the shots and landed a straight hook on the shooter's chin.

Takuma and Kaya-san was halfway down the ladder to the shelter when Takuma realised that Makino was not with them. Kaya-san exclaimed her fears, " Did they got her?"

Takuma pondered for a moment. " Kaya-san, you go ahead to the others. I'll come back with her."

Away from the commotion, Makino had already slipped and soon, she was inconspicuously tiptoed her way far from the house. But, her luck did not hold out. In the back alley, she soon find herself surrounded by Doumyouji's men.

" Guess Kuryugumi people could not match the Doumyouji SPs efficiency."

One of the men, bowed to her. " Makino-san, we mean you no harm. Just come with us in peace."
" Sorry, can't do that. You have to break me all four limbs before you can bring me to your boss."
" Then, forgive us. Our orders is to take you back. By hook or by crook."

Makino smiled enigmatically. " Well then, it's my pleasure." Dropping her bag to the ground, she brought out a pair of iron jitte with leather clad handles (see explanation at the end of chapter). Swirling it around by the handle, she struck a menacing pose. " Be my guest."

All of them swarmed around her, all of them skilled fighters punched and kicked their way to Makino but Makino's agility far outdid them. Soon, half of them was unconscious on the ground. But more came, and Makino was further surrounded. It seemed that Doumyouji was determined to get her back

Back at Kaya-san's house, Ryuji, Tsukasa and Bun-san have finished all of the assailants and the rest of Doumyouji men was caught by Kuryugumi's henches. Just when Tsukasa thought, that it had finished, Takuma came and told her about Makino's disappearance.

With one look, Ryuji commanded the rest of his men to search for Makino. Tsukasa asked Takuma and Bun-san to stay just in case Doumyouji men came back. Together with Ryuji, Tsukasa hurried out of the house. She hoped that they would not be too late. Id they were, she could not forgive herself. She had promised to protect Makino and she did not want to break that promise ever.

Ryuji grabbed her hand. Their eyes met. Without a word, Ryuji understood what was going on in Tsukasa's mind.

" We'll find her first." Tsukasa nodded. Together, they started to chase after the others.

Back to Makino, she quickly downed her assailants one by one. But more of them came. Just when she thought she could not hold out, a pair of blinding headlights entered the alley. Two people came out of the car. All of the men moved away, giving their respect to the two figures.

" Doumyouji Tsukasa," she breathed. She glanced towards the other men. " Nishikado-kun, it has been a long time. Sojirou whispered to Doumyouji, " Whould you be okay?" Doumyouji signaled him to back off. Nishikado stepped back.

" Tsukushi."
" So you came to see me die."
" Is that what you want? Is death a preferable fate compared to marrying me?"
" So, that's what it's all about? Your shattered ego. Do not tell me you came all the way to Tokyo to avenge your face."

Doumyouji solemnly declared it was not that. " Don't tell me you forgot, Tsukushi?" His voice soften this time. Makino looked up. Their eyes locked to one another. A torrent of feelings washed over her. Don't look at me that way

" I left you because I don't want to marry you. Is that simple?"
" You always can't be truthful."
" I asked you to forget me."
" But I never promised." Exasperatedly, she exclaimed. " What do you want me to do to make you understand? I don't love you. I don't want to marry you. Let me disappear. That's all I ask of you."
" Then, there's only one thing left for you to do."
" What?"
" Kill me."

Her heart dropped. Shaken, her voice began to falter. " Do you think I didn't dare to kill you?"
Doumyouji grabbed something out of his breast pocket. Then, he flung the object to Makino. Makino caught it. Her heart pounded as she realized what it was.

" That gun have at least three bullets. Shoot me and I guarantee you can leave here safely. My men will not go after you. Only after my death, you'd be free of Doumyouji Corporation." Nishikado protested but Doumyouji silenced him. " I will assume full responsibility. All of you here heard what I said."

Makino stared at Doumyouji. He was serious this time. She snapped the safety clutch. Makino could feel it went off meaning that she could shoot at any time. All she got to do is aim and pull the trigger.

Flashback.. at Doumyouji Corporation shooting range.

Makino was holding her first gun. She was afraid and so anxious, she was shaking so hard she could not keep her gun steady. Then, Doumyouji came from behind and eased his way around her. She could feel his broad, muscular chest as she leaned against him. Their hips side by side as his hands clutched her trembling ones. Steadying her hand with his, he coaxed her to aim properly. Her mouth was so close to her ear as he whispered his instructions. " Just point at the center and fire." Makino tried but she couldn't.
" I can't.I'm too scared."
" You can. I am here." Makino's heart skipped a beat.
" What if I hit somewhere else?"
" So what.. no one but me hit the bulls eye the first time." Makino laughed.
" You arrogant dumb ass."
" Well.. that's why you love me. Now, just close your eyes and trust me. I'll aim for you. When I say fire.. pull the trigger. Understood?"

Makino looked in front of her. Gun in place. Her aim? She stared at Doumyouji standing conceitedly in front of her. He was so calm. Was he sure that she'll miss or that he was so ready to die in her hand? Makino's shooting skills have far improved since that first day. Her aim was good and quick. But, now, she was hesitating. Just, one shot to freedom.

Tsukasa shouted Makino to stop but Makino could not hear her. She could only hear Doumyouji's voice from the past. His voice loud and clear..

" Fire!"

Bang..... The gun went off.

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jitte - a weapon, a long baton made of metal with another handle at one end parallel to the baton. The kind Bruce Lee or police in the old days sometimes use

That's was quite an exhausting chapter to write. So.. reviews.. please...

You know, I imagined Doumyouji was wearing an all-black suit and Makino wearing a white sweatshirt with fitted black jeans for the alley shooting scene. In this story, I picture Makino a real fighter ala Uma Thurman's as Kill Bill Black Mamba character. I also made Doumyouji somewhat like his mother in the manga, menacing and intimidating yet mysterious. Rui also will have a total image overhaul. He would be nothing like the manga version, I assure you guys. Whether that's good news or not, I can't disclose yet.

For the next chapter.. another F4 member will appear that's for sure. Which one? Try and guess... And I'll put more hints on the real reason why Makino left Doumyouji at the altar in the next chapter. Stay tuned.