Chapter III
The Mysterious Flight
New Yokosuka Harbor
Dec 3, 2014 1000AM
The harbor was immensely large and; traffic of all sorts were in great abundance. Massive forklifts offloading cargo from transports; foreman traversing throughout the many connexes that aligned the docks. Fisherman sitting over the side of the pier, anticipating a lucky bite, but usually coming up empty. Wind whistling an appealing tune to the ear, complimented by the sun's glimmering grace; temperature a chilly twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Seagulls flying high above, timing when to sneak a chance to scavenge food from afar. For some this was everyday life, and if you didn't love it, it would grow on you. The smell, the taste the feel of the harbor; it is a way of life.
Kyo set off from the bus stop and headed for the main entrance, immediately he noticed a security checkpoint; along with the somnolent security guard that manned it, not so attentively. He looked to be middle aged, with a mustache he thought made him look tough, but other's thought it didn't go with his face; a face which was rough on the exteriors and didn't compliment the rest.
"Do you have some form of ID son?" He asked, in an lively voice. Proving that looks could be deceiving.
"Yes." Kyo, pulled out his school ID, showing it to the guard, who nonchalantly examined it, handing it back in the same attitude.
"What form of business would you have here…?"
"I'm looking for a man named Chen Guizhang…" Kyo answered truthfully.
"Never heard of him, perhaps you should ask a more informative sentient ." The guard said in a dismissive tone.
Kyo walked off, taking a left at the split in the road; he wasn't sure where to ask next. Apparently, this Chen guy wasn't going to be found so effortlessly. So enthralled in his thoughts; he didn't notice two characters preying on his obvious perplexity.
"Seems we may have us another sucker, Akina." A female dressed in a red revealing top; showing her obvious maturity in the breast area, said in a matter of fact tone.
"I wouldn't say that Mariko, his aura does look lost though." She glanced at her counterpart, whom she didn't resemble the least bit. Not nearly as developed as her friend; wearing a white tee shirt and blue denim jeans.
Both girls; were attractive in there own sense; Akina's usually lengthy, elegant black hair , she kept it neat in a bun instead of wearing it out; was her greatest attribute. Her eyes seem to sparkle on others with a keen enlightenment. Mariko's bosom was usually all that was needed to attract a boy's attention, and if that wasn't enough, she had long and well toned legs to along with her finely tuned body.
"Hey you lost honey?" Mariko walked over seductively; her eyes interlocking with Kyo's.
Kyo stared at her speechless; his mind getting caught in a trance. This woman was beautiful; nicely shaped, easy on the eyes.
"Well actually, I'm looking for someone. However, I don't know where to start." Kyo answered truthfully.
"We can help you with that. Akina Sejiro…and you are?" She extend her hand smiling, Kyo embraced her hand; feeling the calluses on her hand.
"Kyo Hazuki…."
"Those are pretty rough hands for a female…."
"I'm Mariko Watanabe, please to meet you Kyo-chan" Mariko bounced around with energy.
Akina rolled her eyes at her acquaintance, and continued.
"We are well versed in everything in the harbor, tell us what you want know and will present the solution."
"Hmm, sounds so convenient. Two good Samaritans who help lost people in the harbor." Kyo said in a quizzical tone.
"Follow, us Kyo-Chan, will get the information for you." Mariko suggested.
"Do you really have a choice Kyo-chan?" Akina asked in a stern tone.
"I guess not. I'm looking for a man named Chen Guizhang, I heard he operates somewhere in the harbor…."
Akina placed her hand on her, nicely rounded face, and examined Kyo's physique, before going on.
"I happen to know exactly where to find that man….but…"
"But? I knew there'd be a catch…money?" Kyo said annoyed.
"No, we don't seek capital, we have enough of that." She commented with a slight chuckle.
"What then?"
"We have a little problem that needs some muscle…and by your stance it looks like you're well versed in the Martial Arts no?" She again examined his build, with the intensity of a physician.
"I might know something…what are we talking about?" He said hiding the truth partially.'
"Well, we've been having a problem with these three delinquents. They bother us for whatever pathetic reason they can muster. I can hold my own in a fight though; however they are a nuisance that must be dealt with."
"Right, so you want me to take care of your problem. What would me beating them up do? They'll just come back to bother you again, right?"
"You want my help don't you?" She challenged.
"I want your help, but I sure as heck don't need it…goodbye."
Kyo begin to walk away, Akina clenched her fist tightly; she was infuriated, never had a guy just turned their back on her, never had they so nonchalantly.
"I thought he would fall for it….Akina." Mariko said innocently.
"No, this one isn't so dense" She said softly, as he glanced at Kyo walking away. "Yeah, he's definitely different. I'm gonna tell Lance about him."
Kyo put the previous engagement in the back of his mind; even if they did know something about Chen Guizhang; he wasn't going to get involved in their conflict. Especially, not roughing up some of their adversaries.
"Kyo-chan!" A high pitched female voice ringed across the harbor.
Kyo turned to the direction of the noise, and immediately recognized the kindness emitted from the eyes of the woman.
"Mai-san, good morning." Kyo greeted her as he walked over to her lunch-stand.
More of a small building then a lunch-stand, it read Hokuhoku lunches in black Japanese characters on a sign above. There was a slide window; where one would receive the lunches, and several benches in front of the counter where consumers could eat; if they choose too.
"Good morning to you, Kyo" She smile, a smile that could make the coldest heart thaw.
Mai Sawano, face seem to come about nicely, but one wouldn't call her pretty, rather lovely was the correct word to describe her attractiveness. She was a childhood friend of Ryo's, and finally accepted the responsibility of running the stand, her older sister Hisaka-san.
"So what brings you to the harbor, Kyo?"
"Well, I'm looking for someone, Chen Guizhang…..don't have any leads excepts he works here somewhere, and he's Chinese"
"Yes, I can tell by the name. Hmm, well this is a big harbor, you don't know anything about his occupation?"
Kyo, remembered that he always wore expensive suits, he looked important. It made him wonder what his father was involved with him. His father would always say he was an old friend, and nothing more.
"I don't know what he does, but always wore tailor made suits when he visited my father."
"Any reason you didn't ask Hazuki-sensei?"
"That's the problem Mai-san, my father left somewhere…I believe he might be in danger…"
Mai and Kyo locked eyes understanding each other finally.
"Oh…I see. Ryo was always like that, acting on impulse." She said removing the earlier formalities.
"Now, I have to find this man; I believe he may have talked to him before he left."
"I think I can help." Mai noticed the excitement that sparked in Kyo's eyes upon hearing those words.
"Anything Mai-san." Kyo said eagerly.
"There is a woman that comes here everyday by the name Chen Joy, maybe his wife."
"What time is that…?"
"Noonish, she usually chit chats with me for a little while. I'm sure she'll be here today, guess you'll have to wait around."
"Mai-san…you've been a great help. Arigato (Thank you.)"
New Yokosuka Harbor
Dec 3, 2014 1215 AM
The sun approached its zenith point, it was sought of soothing considering overall chilly temperature of the season. Kyo sat down patiently; he begin to wonder if this Chen Joy would show up anyway. What kind of name was Joy? It didn't sound very Chinese to him, English perhaps? Maybe her appearance would tell more about her name, that it would.
"So who's the kid Mai?" An unknown feminine voice greeted.
Kyo, didn't notice her approach since he was so intertwined in his thoughts.
"You don't recognize him, Joy?" Mai, smirked as she implied the question.
Joy was lovely, beautiful and sweet all mixed together in a special batch, hair the texture of leaves in autumn, still it possessed a wild fire much like her personality. The kind of hair that had a radiant aura when it swayed in the wind; eyes a greenish blue shade that made it seem as one couldn't disagree with her, sporting a figure in comparison with that of a super model.
"Ah, how couldn't I…?" She said observing him.
"You're Joy-san…?" Kyo said hesitantly.
"Don't be silly, I think Mai already gave away my identity. Please just call me Joy, I don't like titles." She stroked her hand through her hair as she said this.
"Yes….my name's Hazuki Kyo" Kyo said confused by her impoliteness.
"Heh, just like your father? Well, what's wrong, obviously you wouldn't come to New Suka harbor for simple reference…"
"Well, actually, I'm looking for Chen Guizhang….I was hoping you could help."
"Hmm, Guizhang is always busy but I guess he could make time for Ryo's son. Come with me Kyo-chan. "
"Right……"
New Yokosuka Harbor
Dec 3, 2014 1400 AM
Sora wasn't having as much luck as Kyo in searching for information. Whoever this "Guizhang Chen" guy was he was very secretive, and apparently he didn't keep any security or they just weren't privy to say anything.
"God no one knows anything here…." Sora observed annoyed.
"What do you need to know?" An opportunistic female voice asked from behind.
Sora turned around; and could see a plainly dressed female, along with her friend who presented herself as a ditz in Sora's eyes. It was obvious who was the brains of the operation.
"Who are you?" Sora asked baffled by the suddenness.
"My name's Akina…and this is Mariko..sounds like you need information, am I wrong?"
"Well…." Sora wasn't so trusting.
"Guess, you don't want information that badly…heh" Akina said rather dismissively
Sora did need the information, whatever it might be, if it would help Kyo, so she reluctantly agreed, telling them her plight.
"Guizhang Chen you say….? Akina looked at Mariko, both of them remembering that name from earlier, could this girl be affiliated with that guy, if so; it would prove useful to them.
"Sounds like you may know something….well?"
"Come with us; I think we may be of assistance to both of us…"
"Is that so, and where would we go?"
"Somewhere private, to many ears here don't you think?" Akina pointed to the security officers patrolling around.
"Fine lets go then…."
Sora, didn't mind; considering she was a martial artist; if anything unexpected just happen to occur, she'd be ready.
New Yokosuka Harbor
Warehouse 3
Dec 3, 2014 1420 AM
The inside of the warehouse was dimly lit, and smelled of mildew; it had a strange feeling of entrapment within. Sora wonder why the exchange of information had to be in such a dreary place. A light suddenly flicked on obliterating the darkness in one stroke, three guys sat on crates, and look as if they were corresponding about something previously, until they were interrupted. Each of them were dressed in similar olive colored top and bottom. The leader of the clique seem to be sitting centre as opposed to his counterparts.
"Akina…Mariko…so and oh who is this pretty lady…?" The leader spoke; his hair slicked back with gel; eyes filled with charisma, yet untrusting at the same time, his face nicely shape and would be considered handsome by most.
"What's this about Akina?" Sora demanded.
"The fact that you mentioned Chen Guizhang makes it even better, our bosses wanted us to dispatch his subordinates." Akina chuckled.
"Hmm, funny a subordinate would ask questions about their leader's whereabouts. Seeing as you guys are asking people if they need information…" Sora begin to survey her surroundings, looking for an opening to escape.
"Don't even think about it….." Mariko said in a even tone, the smile gone from her face.
"Heh, we know how secretive he is, and could be some trick. Anyway, you'll come with us, and will be rewarded. Now will you resist?"
Sora answered, moving into a forward stance raising her hands to fighting above her mid section. She looked into Akina's eyes, who was surprised by the response Sora gave her.
"Oh, so we got a fighter do we? You won't fear well against us honey…lets go" He signal his buddies to get up, and they started to advance towards her.
Mariko came running from behind in attempt to catch Sora off guard, in which Sora responded by simply stepping aside, let her foot trail in the same motion; sending Mariko stumbling to the floor.
"Mariko stay there, you'll just get in the way….." Akina, looked into Sora's eyes and could feel her fighter's spirit, as Sora could feel Akina's likewise.
Sora, started backwards as she seen the other three getting closer.
"You'll find we aren't so easily bested." Akina, motioned her hands forward and started moving towards Sora.
"This is hardly fair…afraid to fight me alone?" Sora tried to taunt.
"Hah, this isn't about fair, even though I could take care of you alone…"
"I doubt it…." A voice said from the shadows, halting all movements.
"What the hell, who's there?"
The man stepped out of the shadows; he was wearing a fighting gi, black and made of satin. On the left breast there lay a character in kanji that translated into "force." Baref ooted, his feet look to be deeply conditioned. His mouth veiled in a black mask, although his eyes were piercing, experienced, and unwavering, hair cut short, and neat, with a little salt and pepper.
"Don't you think this is an unfair fight? No, this is how the 'business' does things…heh."
"Its him! That's the one the boss wants dead, get him!" The leader said immediately recognizing him.
"Such a brazen order…to kill me…" He glanced at Sora. "Perhaps you should leave now, I think they have their hands full as it is…" The man went on arrogantly.
Before she could respond, Akina launched an offensive at her; a slicing chop at her throat. Sora, easily parried the blow, and stepped in with a surging punch to her opponent's abdomen, she quickly followed up with open palm strike to the chin. Akina's body with limp from the force of the attack, and she collapsed to the floor.
"Impressive, perhaps I misjudge you…., you might prove useful against the rest." The mysterious fighter observed.
"Yes…."
Sora motioned towards the three thugs, whom to be a little concerned now seeing her in action. The mysterious fighter took on a reckless charge at the leader, whom was unprepared for such a tactic, tackling him to the ground with a shoulder to the chest. The man then flipped off of the stunned combatant, going for his ally.
The thug's partner responded by throwing a flimsy, inept punch, in which the fighter intercepted midway, using his momentum to flip his opponent to the ground; knocking the wind from him; in the same motion he twisted the arm until it popped out of the socket.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO" He cried out in pain. The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head from the agonizing pain.
That didn't distract Sora, as he nimbly evaded; the unskilled kicks of her opponent. Whom seem to think he was cornering her. Sora growing tired of this, quickly maneuvered under a kick, and slammed her forearm into his ribs from the side, she quickly spun around to his face with a well placed back hand to the jaw, and he dropped.
"Well, nicely done, but you should leave now, as will I. Perhaps, we can be of service to each other in another location…" He said in a serious tone.
"Right, lets get out of here…."