The characters in the story don't belong to me. Just borrowing them for a little escapade so lay off with the lawyer's letters. On with the story.

In this chapter, most everybody of importance will make and appearance. But unfortunately, I have to do something very cruel. Don't flame for it! 'Cos I feel that her death is necessary so please understand, onegai.

Chapter 2

Kaoru stayed with the Shinzuku gang and officially changed her name to Hayashi Kaoru. Her training in the ways of the yakuza continued. As for Tsubame, she never woke up from the coma she slipped into after the operation to remove the bullet lodged near the frontal lobe of her brain. For all practical purpose, Tsubame was no better than a vegetable now but Kaoru never gave up the hope that one day, she will open her eyes again.

Two years later, she was sent to America to be schooled. The night before she was to leave, she ordered Aoshi to bring to her the high priestess of the Shinto shrine. The priestess was dumped unceremoniously into a dark room while Aoshi retreated respectfully into a corner with Megumi. Leaning down, Kaoru removed the blindfold on her face. "Your life will not be harmed on two conditions. First, answer three question for me. Second, what we talked about remains a secret. If you dare breath out a word, your life is forfeit."

The high priestess nodded, her eyes calm. Kaoru, satisfied, asked the question she most wanted the answer to. "Will my sister ever wake up?" The priestess reached for her hands and searched carefully the lines. Regretfully, she shook her head. "There's no hope of your sister ever waking up." Kaoru bowed her head and swallowed her tears. No more. Never will she cry again. Collecting herself, she asked the next question, "Will I see my old friends again?" The priestess closed her eyes. After a minute, she began to speak in a strange monotone, "The time for your meeting will come to pass when the five has grown in strength and power. Then and only then will the mysteries of fate be solved."

"Five? Does that mean all of us?" The priestess did not answer. She asked, "What's the third question?"

"Where will I meet the first of them?"

"To the east will the power start to collect."

Kaoru smiled. The east of Japan lies America. And in New York lies the greatest gang in America. She motioned to Aoshi to take the priestess back and beckoned Megumi to come over. "Prepare our luggage. We set off tonight." Megumi nodded and padded silently out.

Kaoru moved over to the window and looked to the unending darkness in the east. There's no sign of dawn. No light at all. Only drifting snowflakes foretelling the coming of winter. "Grow in strength and power," Kaoru whispered. Her lips lifted at the corner.



Eight years later

While in Japan, the two main yakuza gangs, Kobe and Shinzuku were still making plans surreptitiously to attack each other, in Hong Kong, a storm was brewing beneath the seeming calm……

"Kenshin, Sano is here," Soujiiro pushed the door open without preamble. Behind him followed a man dressed in the heights of Italian fashion. His spiky hair was combed upwards and his suit rumpled. The day-long plane trip from Italy had sapped his strength and he sank down in the nearest sofa beside Kenshin. Despite his obvious exhaustion, he still exuded sex appeal from every pore.

"You guys sure move slow. Thought I'd have to wait another seven years before you make your move," Sano grumbled. Kenshin leaned back in his seat and pushed his dark glasses up. "Things are different in HongKong than in Italy, Sano. We have to set all the pieces in place before anything can be done."

"Still way slow. I'm already the Head of the mafia two years ago and only those backward hippies in Rome are still offering any kind of resistance."

"The territories are much bigger here, Sano. We still have China and Macau to content with."

"I know. That's why you need my help." Sano had brought his best men with him, all skilled at assasination.

"Better be your elites 'cos those old foggies are not easy to deal with."

"And how tough are they?" Sano leaned forward, finally a bit interested.

Kenshin picked up the glass of red wine and gave it a swirl. Taking a sip, he said thoughtfully, " The final confrontation will send rivers of blood flowing down the streets."

Sano laughed. "That's the way I like it." Picking up his own glass, he toasted Kenshin. "To bloody confrontations!"

Soujiiro shook his head and stared at his two bloodthirsty friends. "Must we really do it this way?"

"Yes, in our world, we can never be really safe until we reach the top. Remember Soujiiro, don't let anybody escape this time. Not one of those old guards." Sano interrupted, "How about your adopted father, Shishio Makoto? Is he one of the targets?"

"No!" Soujiiro exclaimed, horrified. "Father knows our plans and fully supports us!"

Sano raised his eyebrows and looked at Kenshin. His dark glasses shielded his eyes, hiding what he really felt. Soujiiro was a fillial 'son' and would not hear of any plans to harm Shishio. Kenshin was helpless against Soujiiro's insistence and all he could do was send people to spy on him.

Soujiiro continued, "There's other ways to get ahead in the world besides killing our godfather." He glared at at Sano, " Surely you did not get into your current position by killing your godfather?"

Sano shrugged, " He got a stroke and was paralysed. So naturally, I took over."

Kenshin smirked, the light reflecting off his glasses an odd amber colour. "I'll bet his stroke was an induced one."

"Well, as to that……"

A knock on the door saved Sano from having to make any kind of response.

"Excuse me sir, an important invitation has arrived from the Shinzuku gang in Japan."

A follower passed a letter to Kenshin.

Kenshin opened the invitation. An unscrutable expression came over his face. "What's that?" Soujiiro asked. " An invitation to the sixtieth birthday of Hayashi Jineh." Kenshin flipped something to Sano.

"There's one for you too." Sano could not be bothered to open the invitation. "Not going unless there's beautiful chicks there."

"You'd be sorry if you don't go. I've a feeling it's not going to be the usual kind of celebration."

"Hmm? Something's going to happen?" Sano raised an eyebrow.

Kenshin did not answer. He thought back to the woman he saw four years ago at her adulthood ceremony. Hayashi Kaoru. A most unusual woman. Only one look had passed between them that day. But in that moment, they recognised something in each other. There was an understanding between them and Kenshin knew she was the one he had been searching for all these years. He fingered the name embossed on the invitation. 'Issued in the name of Hayashi Kaoru'. Yes, it was time they see each other again and find out if what passed between them four years ago was a fleeting illusion or something more lasting.

"We'll talk about this later. Let's set the time." Sano, Kenshin and Soujiiro matched the time on their watch and headed out for the night's operation.

That night, blood did flow like a river along the streets of Kowloon and Macau……







How? Do you'all like it? Just remember when you think they are acting OOC is because they are not the same people anymore. Not when growing up among gangsters and other assorted lowlifes. And Kenshin is not Kenshin. He's the battousai, OK? Oh yeah, violence and angst in next chapter and I'm sure you can guess who's going to die. 'Preciate any reviews, good or bad.