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.
I don't know about the English version of the book. Can't help you there 'cos I don't think there's one. And about this chapter, I don't know if I've warned you but it's going to be quite violent. Kaoru is really going to take a drastically different route from the one she took in the comic. No Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu here. And from the way Tsubame suffered, she has ample reasons.
Chapter4
Japan-Hayashi mansion
Long strings of expensive, luxurious cars filled the entrance to the mansion. The sound of music drifted in the air through the brightly lit windows. Inside, Kenshin sat between Sano and Soujiiro, surveying the guests from his position in the VIP seats. To the back of the room sat the various gang leaders from around the world. By the side behind them, the Shinzuku's members stood on guard. Usui, the leader of Kobe, Shinzuku's enemy was also invited. He sat further down the long table, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Kenshin despised him on sight.
"Hey Kenshin, look at that babe. Is she Hayashi Kaoru?" Sano stared at the woman seated beside Hayashi Jineh. She was dressed in black silk shirt and skin-tight black pants, a striking contrast from the pastel coloured, kimono-clad butterflies around. Kenshin turned to look at her. He felt the tug at his heart when he saw her. Then his attention was drawn to the man seated on her other side. He looked familiar to him too but he could not quite place him.
He nudged Soujiiro, "Who's the guy beside Hayashi Kaoru?" Soujiiro turned and studied him for a second. He too, could not help but feel a sense of warmth and familiarity at the sight of them. "That's Enishi Branda. From the Branda family in Brooklyn, New York." He looked back at Kenshin, "You know Hayashi Kaoru?"
"Not really. Only seen her once years ago." He hid his real response from Soujiiro. Even if there were no secrets that he kept from this close friend and adopted brother, some things were too personal to reveal.
"Do they look familiar to you?"Sano suddenly asked.
"Yes," Soujiiro agreed, "But I couldn't remember where I've seen them before." Just then Hayashi Jineh stood up and walked to the empty space in front of the long table.
"Thank you for attending my birthday celebration. I hope everyone will enjoy themselves here tonight." He bowed. His son Hayashi Kamatari walked forward with a present in his hands which he passed to his father. As they were about to go back to their seats, Kaoru stood up with a smile and said, "I've a present for you too, father." She clapped her hands sharply as she walked towards her father.
Behind her, Aoshi brought out the body of Jineh's bodyguard. Other men, loyal to Jineh was also brought forward, trussed up like turkeys. Sensing an that an interesting show was about to ensue, the guests looked on expectantly.
"What is this! You are betraying me?" Jineh shouted in disbelief.
"These are your men, Jineh. I don't need them in my clan," She smiled coldly, "I am not betraying you. I am taking over you. You are out-dated, father,"her lips twisted ironically, "The clan don't need you anymore."
"Don't forget, your sister is still under my control!" In his anger, he remembered his trump card.
"I killed her. You have no control over my actions nor hers now.Her sufferings has ended." Her voice was composed and emotionless.
Jineh clenched his fist. He did not expect her to do this. But he was Hayashi Jineh. This young upstart would not win against him. Quick as a flash, he drew out his gun and took a shot at Kaoru.
"Kaoru!" Enishi yelled from his seat, jumped up and was about to rush to her side but someone was quicker. Megumi, who had been closer, leapt in front of her and took the bullet in her shoulder. Aoshi reacted immediately, shooting the gun out of Jineh's hands. Sano, ever ready to go to the rescue of beautiful women stood up but was restrained by Kenshin's hands. "That's their family business. Don't interfere."
"Megumi?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm fine, Mistress Kaoru." Megumi retreated to the side to treat her wound while Kaoru stalked towards Jineh, taking the gun from Aoshi's hands. She pointed the gun at his forehead as she done ten years ago but this time, it was in triumph.
"You think you will become the leader just by killing me? You are wrong. None of my people will obey you."Jineh was still defiant even in defeat.
"Oh, but you are wrong. In the ten years I've been working for you, I've already consolidated my hold on Shinzuku," She cast a look at the Shinzuku members in the hall, confident of their loyalty. Then her gaze rested on Hayashi Kamatari who cowered at her look. Jineh who had remained calm till now cried out in anxious voice, "What…are you doing?"
Kaoru leaned over and whispered in his ears, "I'm going to do to him what you did to my sister." Fear for his son's safety led him to lash out wildly but Kaoru was already prepared for his attack. She caught his fist as it neared her face and twisted it. With an awful crack, his wrist was broken. "He's your blood and bone. Does your heart ache for him?" Kaoru pointed the gun at Kamatari, her other hand still on Jineh's broken wrist.
"Stop! Don't do this!" He cried out.
Kaoru smiled coldly at this plead remembering her own helplessness then. "All right. Kill yourself or kneel down and beg me. Perhaps I will let him off." The image of herself prostrating in front of him, bartering her soul for her sister's life rose in her mind. "You have three seconds to decide." Jineh looked back and forth between Kaoru's gun and his only son. His pride would not allow him to kneel down and beg Kaoru. But his son's life hung in the balance.
He lowered his head in defeat and was about to kneel down when Kaoru shrugged and said in a nonchalent manner, "I forgot,"She tilted her head enquiringly, "You did not give me any choice or time to decide then." She looked the pale face that was a shadow of Jineh's and felt no regrets when she pulled the trigger.
"Kamatari!!" Jineh broke free of Kaoru's hold and staggered to his son's side.
"Call the doctors in, Aoshi. Don't let him die."
As the stretcher carried Kamatari away, Kaoru walked over to Jineh's side and asked in voice colder than the arctic winds, "What do you think, Jineh? Have I learnt well?"
"You k..killed my son," His voice was broken.
"No. I will not kill him. I will keep him where you kept my sister and tend to him as carefully as a plant."
"No, no…" He ended with racking sobs.
Kaoru bent over and looked into his face, "Do you understand now, Jineh? The pain I felt years ago. Do you understand finally?" Kaoru asked in a taunting voice.
"I'll kill you!" He shouted with rage and swung his fists.
Kaoru kicked him aside fiercely and shot his shoulders. "That's for Megumi. And this," She threw her gun aside and pulled him up with his hair, "Is for Tsubame." She unleashed a flurry of punches on his face and his wounded shoulder. All the pain she had been forced to endure, she let go of on him.
When she finished, he laid on the floor, unmoving.
Soujiiro opened his eyes wide. "Where did she find the strength?"
"I like her style," Sano whistled through his teeth. Indeed, Kenshin had been right to drag him along. He wouldn't miss this show for the world. His eyes rested on the female bodyguard of Hayashi Kaoru. She stood in a quiet corner, her sleeves ripped off and bandaged around her shoulders. Her eyes showed cool self-control and confidence. Sano grinned. A different type from her mistress but a challenge nontheless.
Tsu…Tsubame? Kenshin's shades hid a myraid of emotions. He realised the reason for the odd familiarity he felt around her now. Kaoru and Tsubame. Their old friends in the orphanage.
"Save…save me…"Jineh pleaded with the guests who came for his birthday celebration.
"They are here as my witness. Nobody will save you."
"Why don't you just kill me?"
Kaoru looked at him in mock pity, "Kill you? No. I want to hear you beg for forgiveness from me, from Tsubame." She wanted his total defeat.
"Never!" He yelled with his last shred of defiance.
"In that case," She motioned to Aoshi. Wih no hesitation, he shot Jineh. One hand clutching his chest where blood poured forth, he reached out with his other hand to Kaoru before falling to the ground, his eyes wide open. Kaoru stared down at the body by her feet, her expression indecipherable. She knelt down and pulled out the pendant, sticky with blood, snapping the thin chain. Standing straight, she raised her hand, holding the blood- covered pendant, the symbol of highest authority in Shinzuku.
"If anybody in Shinzuku goes against me, Jineh's fate will be his."
"Oh my God,"Soujiiro could not quite suppress his nausea. To become the leader this way? "That's so cruel!"
Sano could not help but be amazed and impressed, "I've never thought of this method. Blatant, yes but you can be sure nobody will go against her in future."
As for Kenshin, tears gathered in his eyes but his dark shades shielded his expression.
Kaoru took out a knife and with a slash, chopped off the long hair that she had kept for ten years. A different Kaoru had emerged. Reborn from the fires of revenge. Her eyes blazing, she surveyed her guests and announced in a clear voice, "You have witnessed the passing of the leadership of Shinzuku to me. From now on, I am Shinzuku!"
The confidence in her eyes, her arrogance and beauty stunned everyone in the hall. All those who witnessed this moment lost themselves and would never forget her. The new leader of Shinzuku. "Well done,"Usui stood up and applauded. With him, all the guests began standing up, cheering the new leader.
In a corner, Sano leaned back against his chair and said in a thoughtful voice, "The balance of power in asia is going to be affected." Soujiiro could not take his eyes off Kaoru. She was the most magnificent woman he had ever met. Kaoru suddenly turned and looked straight at Kenshin. Kenshin took off his shades, revealing his amber eyes. Without moving his gaze away, he said quietly, "I've finally found you."
Standing behind Kaoru, Enishi saw the look they exchanged. Sighing, he knew than that the world was not going to remain the same.
Next chapter, there's going to be more interaction between Kenshin and Kaoru if all goes well. This is a long chapter for me and I need to rush to school now. See ya next time.
I don't know about the English version of the book. Can't help you there 'cos I don't think there's one. And about this chapter, I don't know if I've warned you but it's going to be quite violent. Kaoru is really going to take a drastically different route from the one she took in the comic. No Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu here. And from the way Tsubame suffered, she has ample reasons.
Chapter4
Japan-Hayashi mansion
Long strings of expensive, luxurious cars filled the entrance to the mansion. The sound of music drifted in the air through the brightly lit windows. Inside, Kenshin sat between Sano and Soujiiro, surveying the guests from his position in the VIP seats. To the back of the room sat the various gang leaders from around the world. By the side behind them, the Shinzuku's members stood on guard. Usui, the leader of Kobe, Shinzuku's enemy was also invited. He sat further down the long table, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Kenshin despised him on sight.
"Hey Kenshin, look at that babe. Is she Hayashi Kaoru?" Sano stared at the woman seated beside Hayashi Jineh. She was dressed in black silk shirt and skin-tight black pants, a striking contrast from the pastel coloured, kimono-clad butterflies around. Kenshin turned to look at her. He felt the tug at his heart when he saw her. Then his attention was drawn to the man seated on her other side. He looked familiar to him too but he could not quite place him.
He nudged Soujiiro, "Who's the guy beside Hayashi Kaoru?" Soujiiro turned and studied him for a second. He too, could not help but feel a sense of warmth and familiarity at the sight of them. "That's Enishi Branda. From the Branda family in Brooklyn, New York." He looked back at Kenshin, "You know Hayashi Kaoru?"
"Not really. Only seen her once years ago." He hid his real response from Soujiiro. Even if there were no secrets that he kept from this close friend and adopted brother, some things were too personal to reveal.
"Do they look familiar to you?"Sano suddenly asked.
"Yes," Soujiiro agreed, "But I couldn't remember where I've seen them before." Just then Hayashi Jineh stood up and walked to the empty space in front of the long table.
"Thank you for attending my birthday celebration. I hope everyone will enjoy themselves here tonight." He bowed. His son Hayashi Kamatari walked forward with a present in his hands which he passed to his father. As they were about to go back to their seats, Kaoru stood up with a smile and said, "I've a present for you too, father." She clapped her hands sharply as she walked towards her father.
Behind her, Aoshi brought out the body of Jineh's bodyguard. Other men, loyal to Jineh was also brought forward, trussed up like turkeys. Sensing an that an interesting show was about to ensue, the guests looked on expectantly.
"What is this! You are betraying me?" Jineh shouted in disbelief.
"These are your men, Jineh. I don't need them in my clan," She smiled coldly, "I am not betraying you. I am taking over you. You are out-dated, father,"her lips twisted ironically, "The clan don't need you anymore."
"Don't forget, your sister is still under my control!" In his anger, he remembered his trump card.
"I killed her. You have no control over my actions nor hers now.Her sufferings has ended." Her voice was composed and emotionless.
Jineh clenched his fist. He did not expect her to do this. But he was Hayashi Jineh. This young upstart would not win against him. Quick as a flash, he drew out his gun and took a shot at Kaoru.
"Kaoru!" Enishi yelled from his seat, jumped up and was about to rush to her side but someone was quicker. Megumi, who had been closer, leapt in front of her and took the bullet in her shoulder. Aoshi reacted immediately, shooting the gun out of Jineh's hands. Sano, ever ready to go to the rescue of beautiful women stood up but was restrained by Kenshin's hands. "That's their family business. Don't interfere."
"Megumi?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm fine, Mistress Kaoru." Megumi retreated to the side to treat her wound while Kaoru stalked towards Jineh, taking the gun from Aoshi's hands. She pointed the gun at his forehead as she done ten years ago but this time, it was in triumph.
"You think you will become the leader just by killing me? You are wrong. None of my people will obey you."Jineh was still defiant even in defeat.
"Oh, but you are wrong. In the ten years I've been working for you, I've already consolidated my hold on Shinzuku," She cast a look at the Shinzuku members in the hall, confident of their loyalty. Then her gaze rested on Hayashi Kamatari who cowered at her look. Jineh who had remained calm till now cried out in anxious voice, "What…are you doing?"
Kaoru leaned over and whispered in his ears, "I'm going to do to him what you did to my sister." Fear for his son's safety led him to lash out wildly but Kaoru was already prepared for his attack. She caught his fist as it neared her face and twisted it. With an awful crack, his wrist was broken. "He's your blood and bone. Does your heart ache for him?" Kaoru pointed the gun at Kamatari, her other hand still on Jineh's broken wrist.
"Stop! Don't do this!" He cried out.
Kaoru smiled coldly at this plead remembering her own helplessness then. "All right. Kill yourself or kneel down and beg me. Perhaps I will let him off." The image of herself prostrating in front of him, bartering her soul for her sister's life rose in her mind. "You have three seconds to decide." Jineh looked back and forth between Kaoru's gun and his only son. His pride would not allow him to kneel down and beg Kaoru. But his son's life hung in the balance.
He lowered his head in defeat and was about to kneel down when Kaoru shrugged and said in a nonchalent manner, "I forgot,"She tilted her head enquiringly, "You did not give me any choice or time to decide then." She looked the pale face that was a shadow of Jineh's and felt no regrets when she pulled the trigger.
"Kamatari!!" Jineh broke free of Kaoru's hold and staggered to his son's side.
"Call the doctors in, Aoshi. Don't let him die."
As the stretcher carried Kamatari away, Kaoru walked over to Jineh's side and asked in voice colder than the arctic winds, "What do you think, Jineh? Have I learnt well?"
"You k..killed my son," His voice was broken.
"No. I will not kill him. I will keep him where you kept my sister and tend to him as carefully as a plant."
"No, no…" He ended with racking sobs.
Kaoru bent over and looked into his face, "Do you understand now, Jineh? The pain I felt years ago. Do you understand finally?" Kaoru asked in a taunting voice.
"I'll kill you!" He shouted with rage and swung his fists.
Kaoru kicked him aside fiercely and shot his shoulders. "That's for Megumi. And this," She threw her gun aside and pulled him up with his hair, "Is for Tsubame." She unleashed a flurry of punches on his face and his wounded shoulder. All the pain she had been forced to endure, she let go of on him.
When she finished, he laid on the floor, unmoving.
Soujiiro opened his eyes wide. "Where did she find the strength?"
"I like her style," Sano whistled through his teeth. Indeed, Kenshin had been right to drag him along. He wouldn't miss this show for the world. His eyes rested on the female bodyguard of Hayashi Kaoru. She stood in a quiet corner, her sleeves ripped off and bandaged around her shoulders. Her eyes showed cool self-control and confidence. Sano grinned. A different type from her mistress but a challenge nontheless.
Tsu…Tsubame? Kenshin's shades hid a myraid of emotions. He realised the reason for the odd familiarity he felt around her now. Kaoru and Tsubame. Their old friends in the orphanage.
"Save…save me…"Jineh pleaded with the guests who came for his birthday celebration.
"They are here as my witness. Nobody will save you."
"Why don't you just kill me?"
Kaoru looked at him in mock pity, "Kill you? No. I want to hear you beg for forgiveness from me, from Tsubame." She wanted his total defeat.
"Never!" He yelled with his last shred of defiance.
"In that case," She motioned to Aoshi. Wih no hesitation, he shot Jineh. One hand clutching his chest where blood poured forth, he reached out with his other hand to Kaoru before falling to the ground, his eyes wide open. Kaoru stared down at the body by her feet, her expression indecipherable. She knelt down and pulled out the pendant, sticky with blood, snapping the thin chain. Standing straight, she raised her hand, holding the blood- covered pendant, the symbol of highest authority in Shinzuku.
"If anybody in Shinzuku goes against me, Jineh's fate will be his."
"Oh my God,"Soujiiro could not quite suppress his nausea. To become the leader this way? "That's so cruel!"
Sano could not help but be amazed and impressed, "I've never thought of this method. Blatant, yes but you can be sure nobody will go against her in future."
As for Kenshin, tears gathered in his eyes but his dark shades shielded his expression.
Kaoru took out a knife and with a slash, chopped off the long hair that she had kept for ten years. A different Kaoru had emerged. Reborn from the fires of revenge. Her eyes blazing, she surveyed her guests and announced in a clear voice, "You have witnessed the passing of the leadership of Shinzuku to me. From now on, I am Shinzuku!"
The confidence in her eyes, her arrogance and beauty stunned everyone in the hall. All those who witnessed this moment lost themselves and would never forget her. The new leader of Shinzuku. "Well done,"Usui stood up and applauded. With him, all the guests began standing up, cheering the new leader.
In a corner, Sano leaned back against his chair and said in a thoughtful voice, "The balance of power in asia is going to be affected." Soujiiro could not take his eyes off Kaoru. She was the most magnificent woman he had ever met. Kaoru suddenly turned and looked straight at Kenshin. Kenshin took off his shades, revealing his amber eyes. Without moving his gaze away, he said quietly, "I've finally found you."
Standing behind Kaoru, Enishi saw the look they exchanged. Sighing, he knew than that the world was not going to remain the same.
Next chapter, there's going to be more interaction between Kenshin and Kaoru if all goes well. This is a long chapter for me and I need to rush to school now. See ya next time.
